Eight-arm chandelier

Dateca.1800-1830

MediumTinned sheet iron, iron, lead solder and paint.

DimensionsHeight: 10 3/4" Width: 26 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1986-18

DescriptionPainted tinplate chandelier with eight curving wire-edged arms decorated with swedged beads. Crimped pans support open-sided candle sockets with folded lips. The central conical hub has a domed top with a heavy iron wire hanger set into its center.
Label TextAmerican tinsmiths excelled at generating fanciful yet fully functional pieces like this chandelier. With its graceful, curving arms, crimped pans and perfect symmetry, this piece is both beautiful and simple. Because they consumed many candles and generated more light than was usually needed for domestic use, few early American homes were illuminated by chandeliers. Rather, these large lighting devices were most commonly used in public spaces like churches, meeting rooms, and taverns. This chandelier was displayed for many years in Colonial Williamsburg’s Raleigh Tavern.

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