A GERMAN ORMOLU, CRYSTAL AND CUT-GLASS TWELVE-LIGHT CHANDELIER
PROPERTY OF A GERMAN COUNTESS LOTS 188-189
A GERMAN ORMOLU, CRYSTAL AND CUT-GLASS TWELVE-LIGHT CHANDELIER

CIRCA 1800, PROBABLY DRESDEN

Details
A GERMAN ORMOLU, CRYSTAL AND CUT-GLASS TWELVE-LIGHT CHANDELIER
CIRCA 1800, PROBABLY DRESDEN
The upper tier with cascades of facetted beads and needles above a cage frame with foliate rim, issuing twelve branches divided by beaded palmettes above a gilt-decorated glass disc, drilled for electricity, losses and replacements to the glass
47 in. (120 cm.) high; 39 ¾ in. (100 cm.) diameter

Brought to you by

Carlijn Dammers
Carlijn Dammers

Lot Essay

An advertisement of the ‘Churfürstlich Sächsische Spiegelfabrik’ illustrating a slightly smaller, though constructionally closely related chandelier in the Leipzig ‘Journal des Luxus und der Moden’ in December 1797 allows an attribution of this spectacular example to the Dresden workshops.

Despite protectionist measures of many German courts at the time, particularly by the Prussian authorities, dictating the use of indigenous materials, this chandelier is fitted with Bohemian glass, which was widely considered to be of the highest quality. The chandeliers made around 1800 in specialized factories in Berlin (Werner & Mieth) and Dresden (Dresdner Spiegelmanufaktur) represent the pinnacle of the development of luxury goods in gilt bronze in Germany.

See K. Klappenbach, Kronleuchter, Berlin 2001, pp. 49, 74 (ill. 71), 102 and 359.

More from Noble & Private Collections

View All
View All