Candle Chandelier Thoughts
The earliest incarnation of all chandeliers is the candle chandelier. Typically used in meeting places during medieval times, they are the most simplistic of all forms of this lighting fixture. In their most rudimentary form they would represent a cross made of wood with nails or spikes that would hold the candles in place as it was lifted toward the ceiling. Of course, over time they became more complex and ornate to accommodate the tastes and styles of those who could afford the luxury. In fact, they became a status symbol of the affluent and the up and coming merchant class. It was costly during this time period to light a home or building at night. As is the case with many products, as its popularity grew so did the advancements in design, production, and technology. As it usually happens, this eventually lead to more affordable pricing and wider adoption by the public.
Once lead crystal production costs started to fall with the event of advancements in glass making technology, faceted crystals were attached giving impressive refractive qualities to the light produced by this fixture. The visual effect this created only served to increase the popularity of this lighting style. From this cohesion of technologies came the ever popular crystal chandelier. Until the 19th century when gas lighting became a reasonable alternative, the illumination was still provided by the time tested lighting source of the candle.
Today candle chandeliers are used mostly for ambiance. They have the ability to create an atmosphere or mood that is warm and relaxing. Nothing short of a room full of candles can do a better job in creating an intimate, inviting, and romantic setting. The elegance exuded by these bygone times lighting fixtures is nothing short of classic. With the correct interior placement and design they can become amazing conversational pieces.
They are best suited for larger rooms with soft lines as they produce a look and feel that will mesh well with this style. Smaller rooms or cramped spaces will not be able to highlight the strength of the lighting style. For instance, contemporary or minimalistic designs tend to clash with the softness of light and mood they create. Provided the room is spacious enough a great utilization can be in the bedroom where mood and ambiance are at a premium.
There is a wide variety of styles available to suit most any taste. From wrought iron to glass there is a large selection available to fit your home’s decor. There are even some artists that still work with this form of lighting fixture to create amazing works of art. So whether you are looking to do nothing more than create an ambiance or you want an amazing conversational piece of artwork to hang in your home, a candle chandelier may be the right choice to light your way.
