Chandelier

A chandelier is a type of a suspended 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. Its history began in the Middle Ages, when it started to be used to illuminate large premises in sacral buildings and in castles. These were quite simple structures in the shape of a wooden cross, attached to the ceiling. Candles were placed on the arms. Later, structures made of wrought iron in the shape of a circle started to appear, even though initially only in wealthy estates. Circular or hoop chandeliers 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, was probably a French product from the end of the 19th century. The chandelier derives from the Potocki collection (the Potocki family was the former owner of the castle); the chandelier is one of four chandeliers that decorated 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 bulbs generate light via a hot tungsten filament. The central hoop above which a decoration made of vertical strands of beads is placed is broad, decorated with gilded bronze with an ornament of interweaving laurel wreaths. Below the main hoop, there are other hoops with sizes decreasing towards the bottom 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. At the top, the chandelier ends with a small hoop with a gilded frame, topped with gilded leaves. The chandelier is attached to the ceiling with a thick chain with large links.