Why Have Chandeliers Withstood the Test of Time?

While some lighting designs seem to be at the whim of fashion, other installations manage to be much more enduring. There is no more enduring light fixture than the chandelier (Kronleuchter) , which has been with us since medieval times. While there are a number of variations on the basic chandelier form, the distinctive appearance of a chandelier is as unmistakable today as it has ever been before. A chandelier is best defined as a branched and decorative lighting fixture that is mounted from the ceiling.

The History of chandeliers (Lüster)

While they are made from a variety of different materials, many chandeliers are constructed from arrays of glass and crystal to create the unique refracted lighting effect that is associated with the chandelier form. While it is hard to say just why chandeliers have remained so enduring throughout the centuries, a brief look into their history can provide us with a few clues. While the original chandeliers were used in medieval places of worship, the simple wooden cross-like appearance was very different to the chandeliers of today. From the 15th century onwards however, chandeliers became a popular feature among the wealthy classes, and a symbol of luxury and refinement.

More complex chandelier designs were manufactured throughout this time, utilising glass and other materials. Chandeliers started being seen in the houses of the nobility and the merchant class, who were the only people other than the clergy and royalty who could afford them at this time. By the 18th century however, cheaper production methods of lead and crystal saw the manufacture of less expensive chandelier forms, although they managed to retain their air of wealth and luxury. Their original exclusivity may be one reason why they remain such a desirable product in the 21st century.

While the chandelier form still retains its air of luxury and sophistication today, there are a number of more affordable chandelier designs also available. However, despite variations in its form, the chandelier is unique and can always be distinguished from other lighting fixtures. As well as their continual use throughout history, and their cultural influence on the emerging classes, the perseverance of chandeliers is also a direct result of their simple yet strong archetypal form.

The illumination and decoration of space from above was originally linked with religious ceremony and then passed down to become a strong symbol of material wealth and sophistication. The two most important reasons why chandeliers have managed to withstand the test of time are related to their tradition of use throughout western culture and their simple archetypal design with its roots in religious and royal iconography.