Candle Chandeliers, Then and Now.

The word Chandelier comes from the old French word “chandelle”. It means candle and represents a light fixture with branching supports that hangs from a ceiling.

Chandeliers always have at least two candles attached to them though they often have many more. They support tapers, pillars or votives and can be plain or quite elaborate. A common means of lighting for centuries… why not bring a piece of history into your home?

Hanging Candle Chandelier

Hanging candle holders, chandeliers suspend candles to better illuminate a room. We first see chandeliers in the 1300’s. At that time they were only used in palaces, churches, cathedrals and the home of the nobility. These were the only people who could afford to burn candles. Much less burning more than one at a time. Early forms were usually round wheel shaped affairs. Candles were attached to them by “spearing” the candle onto nail like spikes projecting up from the wooden wheel.

Wrought iron candle chandelier

Early designs were made of wood. Grease from the melting candles (either tallow or beeswax) ruined the wood so later chandeliers were made of metal. Just as today wrought iron, copper, brass and silver were used. This allowed for more flexibility of form and we start to see shapes other than the simple round wheel-like candle platform.

By the middle of the 1600’s chandeliers become more available and popular with the masses. They begin to make their way into the homes of the emerging middle class. They can now be seen in homes through out northern Europe.

In the 1700’s chandeliers begin to take on the shapes we are most familiar with today. Hanging crystal drops and roped pendants appear in the 1800’s. These were originally added to help spread and reflect the candle light. Lead glass crystal is used because it is strong, clear and very reflective.

Pillar candle chandelier

Today chandeliers can be found that hold tapers, votives or pillar candles. They come in a dizzying array of styles from simple wrought iron to gilt with leaded glass crystals. Some have glass candle cups attached, as the ones for votives do. There is even a revival of the earliest form of chandeliers. However, these modern wheel shaped chandeliers have no spikes they are simply wide enough to support pillar candles.

Unique, lovely and mysterious… Candle Chandeliers add a piece of history to your home.