Strictly speaking, a chandelier is any multi-branch ceiling light.

But what we understand in popular usage as a chandelier today - a grand ceiling light fitting with many lights and multiple crystal prisms - is the result of a long evolutionary process of this type of light.

Originally made in wood as a cross with spikes on which to fix the candles, they were able to be lowered for lighting, and then hoisted to a suitable height by means of a pulley.

From the 15th century they were made in a wider variety of materials including brass, wrought iron, gilded wood and silver.

By the 18th century, developments in glassmaking allowed for the introduction of prisms in their manufacture, because of their light scattering properties.

An elaborate chandelier was a status symbol of the wealthy in the 18th and 19th century and materials now used included bronze and porcelain. Manufacturers of more...

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A Louis XV style brass and cut glass chandelier, 90 cm high, 50…

Brass and Glass Louis XV Chandelier

A Louis XV style brass and cut glass chandelier, 90 cm high, 50 cm diameter approx

French chandelier early 20th century, six branch wirework,…

Amber and Clear Glass French Chandelier

French chandelier early 20th century, six branch wirework, Pampilles de lustre, with clear and amber cut glass, drop 84 cm

A French brass and cut-glass chandelier the brass base frame…

French Cut-Glass Chandelier with Brass Base

A French brass and cut-glass chandelier the brass base frame with bottom spherical orb, hanging cut glass drops and six light fittings. Height 82 cm approximately.

A graduated pair of Bohemian glass bag chandeliers the opaque…

Hand-painted Floral Bag Chandeliers in Red and White

A graduated pair of Bohemian glass bag chandeliers the opaque white overlay red slice cut glass bowls hand painted with floral sprays

Venetian glass chandelier Murano glass, circa 1950s cut glass…

1950s Murano Glass Chandelier with Tulip and Foliate Design

Venetian glass chandelier Murano glass, circa 1950s cut glass with tulip and foliate designs drop 90 cm, diameter 60 cm, a/f to one foliate piece

A stylish cut glass and gilt metal basket chandelier, French…

French Cut Glass Basket Chandelier, 1950

A stylish cut glass and gilt metal basket chandelier, French circa 1950 total drop approx 140 cm

A large murano cut glass and crystal chandelier, Italian, 20th…

Murano Crystal Chandelier, 18-Light Italian Design, 90cm High

A large murano cut glass and crystal chandelier, Italian, 20th century, 18 lights, 90 cm high

A large Waterford Crystal and cut glass button swag chandelier,…

Waterford Crystal Swag Chandelier

A large Waterford Crystal and cut glass button swag chandelier, 20th century. 92 cm

A French style country chandelier, the painted wrought iron…

French Country Chandelier with Glass Drops and Leaf Decorations

A French style country chandelier, the painted wrought iron branches decorated with leaves and facet cut glass drops, ten light branches with conforming leaf and crystal decorated branches leading to chain and rose. diameter 76 cm

A French style country chandelier, the painted wrought iron…

French Country Chandelier with Glass Drops and Leaves

A French style country chandelier, the painted wrought iron branches decorated with leaves and facet cut glass drops, ten light branches with conforming leaf and crystal decorated branches leading to chain and rose. Diameter 76 cm

A six branch cut glass tiered chandelier, the central tear…

Tear Drop Cut Glass Chandelier with Lustre Prisms

A six branch cut glass tiered chandelier, the central tear shaped pendant composed of multiple tiers of prisms and drops, a top canopy surmount, the scrolling arms supporting candles with etched glass shades, and glass drip pans suspending lustre prisms,…

Venini six globe amber droplet chandelier, amber glass and…

Amber Droplet Chandelier: Venini Six Globe, Italy c. 1970s

Venini six globe amber droplet chandelier, amber glass and clear crystal droplets suspended from a gold plated metal and clear cut glass frame, Italy, c 1970s, 60 cm high, 44 cm deep

A vintage eight light crystal chandelier, early to mid 20th…

Multi-Tiered Crystal Chandelier with Electric Candles

A vintage eight light crystal chandelier, early to mid 20th century, a multi tiered birdcage style chandelier dressed with cut glass shaped drops and fitted with electric candles, height 80 cm, diameter 55 cm

A French bronze and cut glass chandelier, 20th century, the…

French Bronze & Cut Glass Chandelier, 20th Century

A French bronze and cut glass chandelier, 20th century, the central bronze wirework baluster standard with applied leafage and glass flower heads, 56 cm high

A gilt metal and cut glass chandelier approximately 75 cm drop,…

Gilt Metal & Cut Glass Chandelier - 75x50cm

A gilt metal and cut glass chandelier approximately 75 cm drop, 50 cm wide

A Belle Epoque bronze and frosted glass chandelier, circa 1890,…

Belle Epoque Bronze & Frosted Glass Chandelier

A Belle Epoque bronze and frosted glass chandelier, circa 1890, with ceiling cup and three stems to multi branched foliate arms supporting three petal form shades, with circular Crown and a star form cut glass bowl, length 86 cm, diameter 70 cm

A cut glass chandelier, French, late 19th century, the standard…

19th Century French Cut Glass Chandelier

A cut glass chandelier, French, late 19th century, the standard hung with faceted button and icicle drops above a bronze leaf decorated central corona with conforming decoration, 120 cm high

A Louis XV style cut glass chandelier, with a faceted glass…

Louis XV Cut Glass Chandelier with Faceted Pendant

A Louis XV style cut glass chandelier, with a faceted glass pendant hanging from the centre, 110 cm long

A large Waterford cut glass chandelier, with eight down swept…

Waterford Cut Glass Chandelier with Icicle Drops

A large Waterford cut glass chandelier, with eight down swept scrolling arms terminating in cut crystal sconces set with icicle drops, 87 cm high