Chandelier

A chandelier is a type of a hanging candle-holder installed at the ceiling of a room; its dimensions and structure are diversified depending on the type of premises ˗ from small ones up to structurally complex comprising a large number of decorative glass or crystal elements. A circular or hoop chandelier had the shape of a circle and arms for candles were attached to the ring; in the course of time, they came to be richly decorated with crystal beads. The Empire style hoop chandelier in the shape of a pear made of gilded bronze and crystal glass, probably a French product from the end of the 19th century, derives from the Potocki collection (the Potocki family was the former owner of the castle) and is one of four chandeliers decorating the Ballroom. The chandelier (together with the other three from the set) was electrified; the bulbs are attached to the stem made of a thick brass rod. The central part of the hoop above which the decoration made of vertical polished strands of beads was placed is broad, decorated with gilded bronze with an ornament of interweaving laurel wreaths, divided in six places with rectangular elements with flower decorations and topped with ovoidal urns, connected with a leafy garland. Below the main hoop, hoops with sizes decreasing towards the bottom were placed which, together with the crystal stands arranged in a fringe, provide the entire item with a pear shape. At the bottom, there is a crystal ball attached to the main stem and multilaterally polished. At the top, the chandelier ends with a small hoop (upper one) with a gilded frame, topped with gilded leaves in the shape of pinnacles, arranged radially. The chandelier is attached to the ceiling with a thick chain with large links.