French Louis XV ‘Lustre a Cage’

French Louis XV ‘Lustre a Cage’

Ships from The Netherlands

Kollenburg Antiquairs BV
Premier Seller
Name
French Louis XV ‘Lustre a Cage’
Measurements
Height: 160 cm, Diameter: 100 cm
Reference
KOLA100410
Techniques
Gilded, Shaped
Colors
Gold, Gray, White
Categories
Decorative Arts Lighting Chandeliers & Pendants
Materials
Firegilt bronze, iron, and cut crystal Crystal Glass Silver Wood
Styles
Louis XV
Periods
18th Century ca. 1750 Antique
Origin and period
Private collection, Belgium
Description

The central iron stem with scrolling ormolu supports is hung overall with crystal baluster finials, pear-shaped facetted drops and cut crystal pinnacles, rosettes and stars. The cage construction is comprised of four tiers with three arms each. Each ormolu section of the chandelier features two branches ending in lobed drip-pans for eight lights.
Hanging below the cage a large, exquisitely facetted crystal ball boss.

This chandelier reveals its true beauty when its candles are lit. The flickering of the flames magnificently illuminates all of the facets of the cut crystals.

Crystal crowns formed a splendid innovation to replace the gilded wood or silver crowns, which had become old-fashioned by the 1720s. Gilt wood, and even silver, did not reflect as well as facetted glass, which provided a play of light in all directions. This was especially the case if the light from the chandelier hanging in the centre of the room was additionally reflected by a mirror above the mantelpiece, for example.

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