Girandole
A Girandole is an ornamental branched candlestick or light fixture consisting of several lights, often resembling a small chandelier. Girandoles came into use about the second half of the 17th century as a luxurious appliance for lighting and were commonly made and used in pairs.
A great variety of metals were used (gilded bronze, copper, and silver were most popular) as well as hardwoods, with crystal and glass accents. A true girandole stood on a tabletop, although the name was later applied to elaborate dangling lighting devices attached to mirrors and furniture.
For today’s blog, I am sharing a clipping and drawing from page 366 of the 1821 publication of Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashion, etc.
There are many surviving examples of candlestick style girandoles. I have several on my Lighting Historical board on Pinterest. The pair shown as the featured image are from the George III period, c.1790. The one below is a Russian example from the late-18th century described as: “Gilded bronze with cut-glass, red stem glass, clear glass obelisk, and white marble base.” Gorgeous!
