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Happy Saturday, Steemians! Today is a quiet Saturday for me so far. I'm sitting at work, and have completed all my tasks and inquiries, and was pondering on a topic to write about for my post today. When IT struck me. Why not write a post about something I am asked about every single day?
Every single day of my life, in my job at the antique shop, I am asked about the history of the chandeliers I sell. We have such a huge range, that explaining each and every light would turn into a history lesson. And I LOVE history. I always thought I might want to work as a tour guide in a huge museum, like the ones we see in New York or London. I get waaaay too excited about silly details.
ETYMOLOGY
Let's start with the meaning of the word chandelier. I always find it helps to go back to the origin of a word, to really understand it's meaning and usage.
As you can see in the nifty image below, "chandelle" literally means candle, and my research shows that the suffix "lier" is derived from Old French, with Latin roots, meaning "to tie". So roughly translated, "chandelier" would mean a few candles tied together. Interesting! (For me at leastππ)
HISTORY
The first chandeliers ever used date back to Gothic/Medieval times. You know the ones - they look like they're straight outta Games of Thrones. These were more functional than decorative, but as time went by, the Jones had to show the other Joneses that they had more money than them, and chandeliers became an item of luxury.
As far as my knowledge goes, the 1700's is when chandeliers really started to take off. Elaborate casts for arms and chandelier frames were manufactured, and ormolu (a form of gold and bronze) was the most popular metal used to make these completely OTT lights. Glass makers had just discovered how to make crystal, and so, the not-so-humble chandelier was born.
Most lights at the time were in the style of Neoclassicism, which draws it's inspiration from early Roman and Greek design.
Over in Italy, the glassblowers of Venice were doing some interesting things. The island of Murano, especially, was developing it's own very unique style of chandelier, with many different colours of glass, beautiful bouquets of glass flowers and fruit.
The early 1800's saw the invention of gas lighting. This caused many people to convert their chandeliers to gasoliers. I have had a few gasoliers in my shop, and have always been fascinated with the little taps on the arms where one can turn the gas on or off.
Here you can see a beautiful gasolier which we restored and electrified. Note the small taps on each arm, originally used to turn the gas on and off
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The last ten years of the 19th century brought with it a major development - electricity! Gasoliers became electrolier, but this fell away as lighting designs started vary with the various different styles and architectural eras.
The 20th century explored many different styles of lighting, from the dramatic lines of Art Deco, to the explorative and minimalist designs of the Italians in the sixties. Today, we see a resurgence of Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, and a large interest in unique and bespoke designs.
I could really, from this point, start to explore each and every design period, but this would definitely take more than one post.
I hope you have enjoyed my little history lesson. Please feel free to ask, if you have any questions. I am literally, a fountain of knowledge when it comes to this topic, and I really do enjoy sharing what I know with others.
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You know what I like the very best about this post? Your passion just shines right through it.
Once a year we had a work day (my father and I) where we had to go clean my Grandmother's chandelier. Every single crystal had to be removed, then washed (by hand) then dried then dipped in some foul smelling stuff then re hung. It was, generally speaking, the worst day of any given year. I'm guessing I'll probably never own one....
Ah thank you so much! I really am blessed to enjoy my job!
Youβre not the first to tell me a story like this!! Nowadays there are sprays that can be left on the crystal to retard dirt, and also sprays that spray on and dissolve with the dirt.
Thank you so much for your support xx
woww ,, beautiful decorative lights.
I want to buy it, but I have no money.
I will buy if I have money.
so pretty
This #chandeliers is very beautiful how many prices will be of this beautiful #Chandeliers and I am glad to read this you have completed your tasks and work keep it up and best of luck @princessmewmew
Hey! Nice to see you! Some of the chandeliers are really expensive, the first one is actually about $14000!!!
@princessmewmew, this is so funny to me right now. I have never sat to think about the history of chandeliers, i had to ask myself the very many things i take for granted on daily basis without really getting to find out how it came by, who discovered it etc, in essence; the history of such things.
Thanks for adding to my knowledge.
Yes, this is why I LOVE history. We use our cellphones every day, but never stop to think of old Alexander Graham Bell and his famous line of βWatson, come here, I want to see you..β
π
I love history and also think itβs important to know our past in order to know where we are going
I think it is too expensive hahahaha am I right
I think it is composed of diamond and gold due to these it will be very expensive @princessmewmew
Not quote diamonds, but really old and rare crystals π
Oh old is gold
Interesting post, something I learned today I thought I wouldn't ever really... I much prefer antiques over todays throw away culture goods
This is really great, I enjoyed learning about it! :)
Working at an antique store maybe must be so historic, finding items one rarely finds today, as well as having the ability to sit down and watch as you unveil a piece of history in one of your store items. Nice to know these kinds of stuff. Thank you for sharing.
Yeah! It can be very exciting. Thanks for your comment
indeed, you have to be tour guide, thank you for this wonderful post, and thank you for these beautiful chandeliers. never knew about the history of these amazing chandeliers.
Yay, another chandalier post. I love them.
I am doing over a tiny house by the sea that I might use as a summer rental and it is small but has a very high ceiling. I am keeping it pretty rustic as it is menat to feel very seaside shack, but I was thinking it'd be funny and nice to have a lovely chandalier at the peak in the highest point of the ceiling. This has made me really want to do it, though it will have to be a much smaller version ;) Lovely pieces. I of course love the most expensive one, no change there.
good post, nice to meet you may be a successful, and hopefully we can become friends
Beautiful.... Please vote my post and visit my Steemit beginner all @irsyadzeal
Love this post
I think most expensive chandlier is in Turkey.. it was gifted by Queen victoria of England... Not most but may be one if the most expensive
Woow never knew these beautiful chandelier had such an amazing history.
Chandeliers are really classic and beautiful. I see them more of art work than an household lightnings. But my curiosity lies on how they are made and how the light bulb are fitted into crystals or glass.
Now I have a desire to know your store. lamentably in venezuela we do not have places like that. It's not because I despise you, but since I've been watching the tv show pawn stars, an interest has been born in me for places where I can get objects with history. I did not know anything about the chandeliers now I know
Oh I lurrrve Pawn Starsπππ itβs funny because we go to Argentina to buy old gates, you guys are practically neighbours
Thank's. Look me in here https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@lingi/patience-facing-naughty-children
No
You're blessed to work in antique shop, Mumun. I should visit your workplace some day :D
In the words Peter York, an author, consultant and broadcaster;
Beyond the idea of birthing chandeliers, their designs have always been phenomenal.
Thanks for sharing this @princessmewmew