Chandeliers In History

Chandeliers have been evident for many years. Throughout history they have changed in appearance but not in the elegant and sophisticated look that they give to homes and offices everywhere. It is assumed that the polycandelon was one of the very first chandeliers. This historical piece used a multitude of small glass bowls or cones that were framed in bronze or iron which allowed candles to be spread out over a much broader surface than one single candle could provide. Some of these beautiful and historical pieces can still be found in museums and antique stores around the globe .
The word chandelier is actually derived from the French word for candle. The earliest known chandeliers were basically just a cross-shaped frame made of wood with a small spike in each end. Candles were placed on the small spikes to allow light. The candles themselves were made from animal fat and not the wax that we know candles to be manufactured from today. The sad thing about these earlier chandeliers is that very few have survived over the years. Most were destroyed during the reformation in the sixteenth century. Those that did survive were found in the interiors of medieval churches and abbeys, mostly across the European continent. Many of these structures and Dreamweaver templates still hold their original chandeliers. The very first chandeliers to be implemented into private homes were hung only in mansions of very wealthy and powerful people and in palaces.
Earlier chandeliers had mirrors, shiny brass plates and often rock crystals or quarts to spread and reflect light. Pressed glass pieces were later implemented into the lighting designs but some felt they lacked the finer qualities need for flawless light refraction. The glass was brittle and very difficult to cut so a substitution was soon sought. In 1676 George Ravenscroft, an English glassmaker, produced a crystalline glass that somewhat resembled rock crystal. This new glass contained lead oxide which was adding during the manufacturing of the glass. The addition of lead oxide made the material much softer and easier to form as well as more refractive than other materials. With the addition of this new material, beautiful blown glass chandeliers were soon being seen on the Venetian island of Murano in the early 1700s.
Daniel Swarovski of Austria began his contribution to the chandelier in the late 19th century. He began by patenting a machine that cut jewelry stones to complete perfection. Once he perfected his making of jewel stones he began cutting crystal chandelier pieces. These pieces were manufactured to a state of absolute flawlessness. Today there are many chandelier designs that hold Swarovski crystals.
By the end of the 1800s the introduction of electricity changed the production of chandeliers. During this time chandeliers were made for use with both gas and electricity. As the distribution of electricity became more global, chandeliers were produced which were wired for electricity only which gives us the beautiful pieces that we see today.
The overall history of the chandelier is long and filled with beautiful and elegant as well as innovative pieces. There is no other lighting source that has produced as many exaggerated forms. The chandelier today is just as popular and holds just as much awe for onlookers as those first lighting pieces. With many new decorative styles such as art nouveau, art deco and others, it is not surprising that the chandelier has lived such a long and prosperous life. Millions of homes and buildings around the world boast a chandelier hanging within. Today these beautiful lighting pieces are designed and manufactured in virtually every country in the world. This test was translated by englisch übersetzung