French gilded and cut-glass Chandelier with twelve lights on two tiers
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French gilded and cut-glass Chandelier with twelve lights on two tiers
1663
French gilded and cut-glass Chandelier with twelve lights on two tiers:
the baluster stem with two tiers of scrolling candle branches; dressed with split festoons and hangers of fine ’empire’ prisms with French ‘pear’ pendants and facet-cut ball finial.
Second Empire, 1850-70 and restored.
| Height: | 31½" | - | 80cm |
| Width: | 28" | - | 71cm |
Glossary Words
'Empire' prism
Octagonal cut-glass prism with flat front and star-cut back. Used in late 18th century France and also in England on some Regency chandeliers. Lesser-quality prisms were used on chandeliers through the 19th century; a bastardised version is still being made in Bohemia today.
Second Empire
Refers to the reign of Napoleon III (1850-70) which had more flamboyant styles than 'Empire', with more curlicues. The Empress Eugénie revived the Louis XVI style, together with an eclectic mix of sources. Many of our gilt-and-glass French chandeliers are Second Empire.
