The chandeliers' story goes a long way, back when the people used these lighting fixtures to brighten up the halls of big and grand mansions for those lucky enough to witness luxurious evening parties. In the past these illuminations were made of two wooden logs nailed as one to form a cross, wherein the candles were put across the flat wooden surface. Chains made of iron are connected afterwards at the middle and the ends of the cross and then mounted on the hall's ceiling. Crude as it is compared to what modern chandeliers look like now, these "chandelbrum" as it was called then were exclusively displayed in houses for the powerful and the dignified people.

Nowadays though, modern chandeliers do not choose their homes. As long as one has enough space to accommodate these fixtures and ample budget to buy chandeliers of their own preference, everyone could have this beautiful and grand lighting in their homes. However, chandeliers, in fact, have a lot of stories to tell and have plenty of enduring tales to share.

One of these is the story of how from a crude-looking wooden furniture these chandeliers used to have now become one of the greatest masterpieces in stately homes and large halls. The name chandelier can be traced back to the Latin etymology of "candela" meaning candles. The earliest pictures of these mounted fixtures were that of a wooden cross with spikes at all ends from where candles were placed. Not really a very pleasing-looking source of light but it served as able illuminations especially to medieval churches and convents.

The height of the chandeliers was in the 17th century. However, prior to that time chandeliers have already taken a more sophisticated design. Crystals were used to hold the candles, and brass or iron has been used instead of the wood. One of the popular finds of 15th-century chandeliers was that in that Jewish synagogue in Mattancherry. It was supposed to be made by Belgian craftsmen and have used Chinese tiles. But it was due to the celebrated glass cutter Josef Palme who started a workshop school in 1724 that produced large quantities of chandeliers. These crystal chandeliers became a much-sought decorating piece in the whole of Europe, but only for the nobles and the rich. Indeed, it became a sign of prestige and wealth.

In the 19th century to the 20th century, everyone also witnessed the production of "gasolier", a merge of gas and a chandelier, and the electricity powered modern chandeliers we now have today. Certainly, chandeliers are one of the most enduring and ageless ornamental pieces man has made and still continues to bright up houses of all shapes and styles.

Chandeliers are usually embellished or elaborate lamps which can be used for ceiling lighting. Generally, chandeliers are centrepieces within huge halls, public galleries hotels, churches, palaces, mansions, etc. Standard residential homes also have affordable chandeliers in the living room which are simpler versions of the chandeliers.

Those found in residences are often not as lavish as the styles in public and commercial buildings. Chandeliers can be lit with a candle or incandescent lights, materials used also by energy saving light bulbs. The vintage and traditional kind of chandeliers use candle lights or even incandescent lights for illumination and even have yellow coloured illumination. Even as modern chandeliers come with fluorescent lights or that of LED, and they give bright white luminescence. Illuminating chandeliers by using candle lights is not practically feasible on a daily basis, hence, modern chandeliers have got electric light bulbs that can be created to appear like candle lights.

The various types of chandeliers are decided by the materials used to manufacture them. The vast majority are white in colour since the lighting in chandeliers is basically by refraction through the crystals and glasses used, yet, there are actually black chandeliers, which are quite popular since they depict a fascinating style.

Multiple sorts of chandeliers are described below.

Crystal Chandeliers: The most expensive and luxurious chandeliers are made of crystals. They are the most traditional form of chandeliers and manufacturers of modern chandeliers hardly use crystals. This is because commoners prefer cheap chandeliers and modern chandeliers as compared to more extravagant ones

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Gold & Brass chandeliers: this type is second most expensive chandeliers are the metallic gold and brass finished chandeliers which are made of various alloys unless you are super rich and they are made from actual gold. Gold chandeliers are traded all over the world.

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Glass chandeliers: This are cheapest alternative for crystals is glass; hence glass is used to make cheap chandeliers. Most of the modern chandeliers have glass shades and domes.

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Metal Chandeliers: Metal chandeliers are also comparatively cheaper and can be categorised under cheap chandeliers. aluminium, steel, brass, etc are mainly used to manufacture metal chandeliers.

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Black Chandeliers: The black chandeliers are preferred by people because of the contrast they exhibit with the white lights. The black chandeliers are made of black crystals, glasses, and wrought iron. Black chandeliers go well with the vintage and interior decorations.

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Nothing is more romantic than sitting in a living room with a couple of splendid hands forged iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Check Out The Other Homes Direct 365 Chandelier Ranges

French Lighting

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Chandeliers

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Cut Glass Chandeliers

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Contemporary Chandeliers

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The following post The Beauty Of Chandelier Lighting was originally published on Homes Direct 365 Shabby Chic