IQ2046 RUSSIAN EMPIRE ROCK CRYSTAL CHANDELIER

DESCRIPTION:

This magnificent chandelier epitomizes the fashion for sumptuous and glittering furnishings made for the Russian Imperial Court during the later years of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Unlike those chandeliers produced in France and England during this period, they often featured a combination of both colored and clear crystal glass, renowned for the quality. Before the introduction of gas lighting, during the long dark nights of eighteenth and nineteenth Russia, candlelight was essential, especially in and around the outskirts of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Thus, we find that during this period countless numbers of chandeliers and other candle-lit lighting was introduced into Russia's more palatial buildings.  This chandelier features a top canopy surrounded by large rock crystal prisms. The four bronze chains are suspended in the mouths of eagle heads. The chains support the body of the chandelier with sixteen double and single Gold Leaf bronze arms with rock crystal prisms hanging from the bobeches. The single arms have falcon heads supporting the bobeches while the double arms have lambs' heads. There is a central cut crystal spear surrounded by four acorn finials.