A stained glass chandelier is a wonderful choice for feature lighting when you wish to create a design statement. Chandeliers are often used in a room of height, mainly because by very nature of the design it is a large light fitting that has a low drop. Whilst antique chandeliers look great in period properties with high ceilings, more contemporary designs are also very popular in modern homes.
The use of stained glass can transform a light fitting into one of extraordinary beauty. Originally, stained glass was mainly used in the windows of churches and other buildings of significance, but in modern times, stained glass has been used for more artistic purposes and many artisans have exploited its wonderful characteristics for their work. Modern vernacular has now extended the term “stained glass” to include objects d’art and light fittings, and stained glass has long been the material of choice for discerning artists in the field of lighting.
Traditional stained glass was colored by the addition of metallic oxides to the glass while still molten. Copper oxide produced a green color, cobalt produced blue, and gold produced a dark blood-red color. Modern stained glass does not use gold in the manufacturing process, as it is prohibitively expensive. Other ingredients are used which produce a lighter, vermilion shade of red.
Many stained glass chandeliers and other light fittings are often referred to as having Tiffany stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist who worked extensively with stained glass and is responsible for some beautiful pieces of stained glass artwork. There are many examples of his work in the world today, including a permanent collection of Tiffany objects that resides at the Queen’s Museum of Modern Art.
Tiffany’s desire to concentrate his artistic endeavors on glassmaking revolutionized the field of stained glass object d’art and, specifically, lighting. At the height of his fame, his factory employed over 300 artisans, many of whom were women. Recent research suggests that many of the women designers played a key role in the design of floral patterns used in many Tiffany lamps. Much of the stained glass lighting sold in the shops today owes much to Tiffany’s many wonderful and artistic creations.
There are many different styles of stained glass chandeliers available. Some have glass lamps that shine down, whereas others have glass lamps that light upwards. You can choose from the relatively simple designs, or go for a far more ostentatious stained glass chandelier. It very much depends on the room you wish to enhance. Simple designs tend to be more suitable for smaller rooms, for example a bedroom. Larger designs look wonderful in living rooms, or above a hallway or dining table. It is in this type of setting that the true beauty of stained glass is visible.
Imagine holding an intimate dinner party for close friends. The food is delicious, the wine is flowing, and the conversation is enjoyable. As you relax and enjoy the pleasurable company of your friends, the light from your stained glass chandelier casts a subtle glow across the table, complimenting the silverware beautifully. This is what great lighting is all about. By enhancing your existing décor, you can enjoy a memorable occasion instead of focusing on why your room looks shabby and dull beneath the glare of some overly harsh lighting.
A stained glass chandelier, whether it owes something to the designs of Tiffany or not, is a great choice for feature lighting in your home. These types of light are both beautiful and practical—and should be considered an investment as well as a lighting solution.
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