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betsyalley1

identifying an antique chandelier

8 years ago

hi all! I'm hoping to get some insight from the people on this site that really know antique lighting!

This hangs in the foyer of my new house, built in 1962. The original owner had the house custom built for his family and it's mid-century modern. This chandlier is an odd fit style-wise, but maybe was something the original owner cherished because it's clearly been added for its own style and not to fit in with the house! Apologies for the pics. I can post more when i have better lighting.

seems like an alabaster bowl, ram's head neoclassical motifs, possibly French?

any idea on its style, date, country of origin, etc?




Comments (13)

  • 8 years ago

    Very cool, following.

  • 8 years ago

    Hmmm. No one? I was really hoping someone out there would have some info!

  • 8 years ago

    Well it's not MCM for sure! LOL!...what is the metal? Is it painted? It's not typical of anything I know of...maybe custom made of old parts? Let's see more and better pictures.


    SunshineX thanked lindac92
  • 8 years ago

    Without seeing the fixture in person I can only take an educated guess. It certainly has some age and appears to be a pretty nice one. It looks like it was designed to be an electrified fixture, not one that originally burned candles and was converted, so I'm thinking 1900ish to maybe 1930s—don't hold me to it, although more likely older than newer. I don't think it's much newer than that because the twisted arms are small diameter and the twisting is very sharp. Also the chain doesn't look new to me. It could be French or American, once again without seeing, and partially disassembling it, I can't tell. If you are planning on keeping it please have the wiring checked. It likely is dried out and should be redone.

    SunshineX thanked disfromage
  • 8 years ago
    Yours appears to be an American made Art Deco chandelier. The materials are possibly brass and alabaster. Search online for antique Art Deco lighting and you will see other chandeliers that look like yours. If you remove it, check for serial numbers, etc. There is a resale market for such items if you choose not to keep it.
    SunshineX thanked ptreckel
  • 8 years ago

    Thank you all, I will take a couple of further pictures tonight in case that helps. I do plan on replacing it. It's not our style and since it's unique I would like it to go to someone that appreciates it. Up until last week I didn't think it had much value! Just a question on selling it...what is the best avenue...a lighting specialist (there is one in my city) or a more general antiques dealer?

  • 8 years ago

    See if you have a reputable architectural salvage place in your area. We have two in this area that could either take things on consignment or purchase them. One is decent the other one not so good. A general antiques dealer might not have the clientele for it.

  • 8 years ago

    It's very hard to see in those photos, but I would guess sometime between the mid-20s and the late 30s.

  • 8 years ago

    If your light is real alabaster and not glass painted to look like alabaster it could be worth some money. Check ebay

  • 8 years ago

    I have to agree with disfromage on his points. To me it shouts French Electrolier circa 1920's (plus or minus) with their typical flat chain linkage design and the double rams -head sconces. Typical of a French Empire period (early 19thC) candle chandelier but with the introduction and blending of later design and materials available. Almost certainly brass/gilt brass. Have you pinged the shade with a fingernail to see if it has any resonance? It will tell you glass or alabaster. The shade design and colour are also typical French for the period. Also glass and alabaster have a different feel. Alabaster warm, glass cold. Curved glass was back then always very expensive to make so would add much more value than an alabaster shade. The |British also had a similar penchant for re-introducing classical designs when the Edwardians copied a lot of Regency furniture, again, with subtle design and later available material changes.

  • 5 years ago


    hello, could any one tell me if this is worth any value? It’s a 16 candle holder with around a 100 of those glass pendant. Made in Spain. I believe solid brass. Thank you.

  • 5 years ago

    HU start a new thread with your question then delete this one as people are less likely to look at threads that were reopened because of the spammers. You may need to post the picture of the light in a separate post. However it is unlikely that anyone would give you a value because that depends on where you are located since shipping is expensive.

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