Maddie James
Before the invention of gas lighting and electricity, chandeliers were a primary source of light, especially in abbeys, castles, palaces, and churches. They were originally designed to hold candles, with the earliest chandeliers being basic wooden crosses with spikes at the ends to hold the candles. Over time, chandeliers evolved into more elaborate and decorative pieces, with intricate designs showcasing the grandeur of the time. So how were these candle chandeliers lit? In some cases, each candle was lit individually, likely with a flint and steel to strike a spark. In other instances, the entire chandelier was carefully lowered to the ground, lit, and then hauled back up. This process is depicted in the 1935 film Anna Karenina, where a servant uses a lighting stick to ignite the chandelier, creating a sparkling flame that travels up to light the candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Historical methods of lighting chandeliers | Flint and steel to strike a spark, or a fire in the hearth |
| How chandeliers were lit in films | A servant uses a lighting stick to touch the chandelier, igniting it in a sparkling flame that travels up to the candles |
| How chandeliers were lowered and raised | A long chain attached to a securely mounted metal ring at the ceiling, which could be uncoiled to lower the chandelier to the floor |
| Materials used to make chandeliers | Wood, earthenware, silver, gold, brass, bronze, iron, glass, crystal |
| Types of chandeliers | Candelabras, Coronas, Flemish, Baroque |
| Purpose of crystals on chandeliers | To reflect and refract light, multiplying it to better light a big space |
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What You'll Learn
Lighting sticks
In the 1935 film Anna Karenina, a servant uses a lighting stick to light two candle chandeliers. The lighting stick is touched to the chandelier, which ignites in a sparkling flame that travels up to the top of a candle. The flame then subsides, and the candle is lit. The same process is repeated for the next chandelier.
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Lowering the chandelier
Before the advent of electricity, chandeliers were a primary source of lighting in abbeys, castles, stately homes, and palaces. These chandeliers were suspended from the ceiling by a large chain, which was securely mounted to a metal ring. To light the candles on the chandelier, one would first need to lower it.
The process of lowering a chandelier begins by uncoiling the chain from its anchor point at floor level. This is done carefully and slowly, paying out the chain as the chandelier descends. Once the chandelier reaches the floor, the candles can be fitted and lit.
The act of lowering a chandelier was a meticulous task, requiring caution and attention to detail. It involved the careful management of the chain, ensuring that it was uncoiled and paid out smoothly to avoid any tangles or snags. This process would likely require multiple individuals to execute safely.
After the candles were lit, the chandelier would then be carefully raised back to its original position near the ceiling. The chain would be coiled again around the special mountings, securing the chandelier in place.
In some cases, long sticks were also used to light the candles on chandeliers without the need to lower them. This method was particularly useful for smaller chandeliers or when the chandelier could not be easily lowered. However, for larger chandeliers with numerous candles, lowering the entire fixture was often the most practical solution.
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Flint and steel
To light a candle using flint and steel, one would use the sharp edge of flint or chert to strike sparks from a piece of carbon steel. These sparks would then be used to light the tinder, which could then be used to light a candle.
One could also use the sparks to light a cigar tinder, which is made by rolling up a dry leaf, birch bark, or newspaper with a piece of char cloth inside. Blowing on the lit cigar tinder would turn it into a flame, which could then be used to light a match and subsequently, a candle.
Another method involves using the sparks to light a piece of charred cloth, which is then used to melt the wax of a candle. Blowing on the melting wax will cause it to smoke and eventually ignite, allowing the wick of the candle to be lit.
In the past, chandeliers were often lit using flint and steel. The chandelier would be lowered to the floor, the candles would be fitted and lit, and then the chandelier would be hauled back up to the ceiling.
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Gas lighting
To light a gas chandelier, a servant would use a long lighting stick, similar to the process described in the 1935 film Anna Karenina. The stick would be used to ignite the gas source of the chandelier, causing a sparkling flame to travel up to the candles or burners. The gas mantle, placed over a fierce flame, would then be ignited, resulting in a bright and warm light.
While gas lighting offered improved illumination compared to candle lighting, it required a fuel source and could be less convenient to operate than modern electric lighting. Gas lighting also presented safety concerns due to the risk of gas leaks and explosions. Nonetheless, it represented a significant advancement in lighting technology during the Victorian era, providing brighter and more efficient lighting for homes and public spaces.
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Electric light bulbs
The evolution of chandeliers from candle-lit to electric light bulbs was a gradual process that occurred over many years. The first viable incandescent light bulb was perfected by Thomas Edison in 1879, marking the beginning of the end for candle-lit chandeliers.
At first, electric light bulbs were used alongside gas lighting, with gas nozzles pointing upwards and light bulbs hanging downwards. This hybrid system was a transitional phase as the distribution of electricity widened and became more dependable. Eventually, electric-only chandeliers became the standard.
The introduction of electric lighting brought about significant changes in chandelier design. Firstly, the lights could now face downwards to enhance the new light bulbs. Secondly, the focus shifted from opulence to optimal lighting, and most households opted for more straightforward and affordable chandeliers. The electric light bulb's novelty value also meant that early light bulbs were often highly ornamented, with a wide variety of shapes and patterns available.
As electricity became the normal way of lighting in the 20th century, chandeliers lost their status as symbols of wealth and power. They became decorative focal points in rooms rather than the primary source of illumination. Antique chandeliers not designed for electrical wiring were adapted for electricity, and imitation candles were introduced, where incandescent or LED light bulbs were shaped like candle flames.
Today, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and LEDs are the most common sources of lighting for modern chandeliers. Electric lighting has completely transformed how chandeliers look and function, allowing for a wide variety of designs and materials to be used.
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Frequently asked questions
In the past, candle chandeliers were typically lit by hand, using a lighting stick or by lowering the chandelier to the ground, lighting the candles, and then carefully hauling it back up.
Yes, candle chandeliers came in various styles and designs, evolving from simple wooden crosses to elaborate and decorative pieces. Some popular styles included the "coronas", which resembled royal crowns, and the Flemish chandelier, known for its simple yet elegant design.
The transition from candle chandeliers to modern lighting occurred gradually over time. The word "chandelier" was first used in English in 1736, and originally referred to a candleholder. Over time, chandeliers began to incorporate incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and LEDs, in addition to the traditional candles.
