MENTION chandeliers and what comes to mind?
Maybe the sight of the awesome silver one at Chatsworth. More likely it is the sad fate of the one in A Touch of Glass, the first episode of Only Fools And Horses to pull in an audience of over 10 million.
The chandelier in question was one of two, but grandad unfortunately unscrewed the wrong one from the floor above with inevitable smashing consequences.
Chandeliers have been in use for many hundreds of years, with some of the most elaborate ones being used in abbeys, churches and cathedrals.
By the 17th century, their use was proliferating in domestic settings.
Materials used included silver, glass and even rock crystal as well as the more everyday brass. In England, gilded wood was popular.
During the 18th century, lavish chandeliers were produced here using the lead glass (blueish tint) first created by Ravenscroft in the late 17th century.
Good prices continue to be fetched for for those high quality examples that have escaped such a fate as that portrayed on television.
The most expensive example sold recently made £42,000 (estimate £1,500 to £2,000) at Anderson and Garland in Newcastle in March of last year.
Measuring 38 inches high, it was a French Louis XIV style ormolu (gilt bronze) eight-branch chandelier in the manner of Andre Charles Boulle.
The decoration comprised applied cherub mask caryatids and applied acanthus leaf brackets below, while the base was decorated with female caryatids and further acanthus leaf moulding, terminating in a leaf moulded and floral finial.
This price is indicative of the fact that there are infinite funds available for the type of item which appeals to people with infinite funds.
More humble brass was used in the construction of the late 17th century Scandinavian 74 centimetres wide eight-branch chandelier with knopped centre stem hanging from a trefoil suspension loop which was sold by Wilkinsons of Doncaster for £4,100 (estimate £4,000 to £5,000) in November of last year.
It is worth noting that the current market is more interested in glittery shiny things regardless of age than rare antiques like this one.
Most of the high priced examples have been made from less robust cut glass.
In July, Dreweatts & Bloomsbury obtained £14,000 (estimate £8,000 to £12,000) for a 122cm high Regency example circa 1815, possibly by James Blades of London, with elaborate gilt metal mounts, the cresting hung with festoons of icicle drops and with diamond and step-cut canopies.
The same auction house sold a 71cm high cut glass hung and silver plated metal six light chandelier in George III style, early 20th century, reputedly by Osler for £2,200 (estimate £800 to £1,200) in January of this year.
Chorleys of Gloucester modestly estimated a 155cm wide example incorporating five frosted glass caryatids at £500 to £700 in January 2015 perhaps because it needed some attention due to missing, detached or misplaced bits. Bidders were undeterred though as it sailed up to £4,500.
Diary dates
Wednesday, April 27
Specialist Diecast Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, April 27
10am
Boulton & Cooper
Tel: 01653 696151
Thursday, April 28
Stamps, Postcards & Postal History Valuation Day at the Harrogate Office
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Thursday, April 28
Friday, April 29
TV & Film Related Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Friday, April 29
9.30am
Auction: Antiques & Interiors including Beswick & Border Fine Art
10.30am
Vintage Costume, Textiles, Dolls & Teddy bears
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623 780
Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1
11am to 5pm
Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Pavilions of Harrogate
Cooper Antiques Fairs
Tel: 01278 784912
Saturday, April 30
11am
Auction Antiques & Collectables
David Duggleby
Tel: 01723 507111
Friday, May 6
10.30am
Auction: Militaria & Ethnographica
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Tuesday, May 10
Picture Valuation Day
at the Harrogate Office
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Wednesday, May 11
Noon
Auction
Books, Maps, postcards, Ephemera
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Thursday, May 12
Jewellery Valuation Day
Tennants Harrogate Office
Tel: 01969 623780
Friday, May 13
10am
Antique & Fine Art Auction
Dee, Atkinson & Harrison
The Exchange
Exchange Street
Driffield
Tel: 01377 253151
Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14
9.30am
Country House Sale
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Saturday, May 14
11am
Auction Antiques & Collectables
David Duggleby
Scarborough
Tel: 01723 507111
Sunday, May 15
11am
Auction: Railwayana, Toys & Collectables
Ryedale Auctioneers
Tel: 01751 431544
Tuesday, May 17
Private Owner Diecast Collection
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19
Specialist Diecast
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, May 18
Coins and Banknotes Valuation Day at Harrogate Office
Tennants, Leyburn.
Tel: 01969 623780
Friday, May 20
Model Train Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Saturday, May 21
9.30am
Auction: Antiques & Interiors
10.30am
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
10am to 5pm
Admission £5
The Yorkshire Antiques & Art Fair
Yorkshire Event Centre
Great Yorkshire Showground
Harrogate
Bowman Antiques Fairs
Tel: 01274 588505
Monday, May 23
Clocks, Watches & Barometers Valuation Day
Tennants Harrogate Office
Tel: 01969 623780
Tuesday, May 24
Palitoy and Star Wars Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, May 25
Beeches Toy Shop and General Toy Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, May 25
10am
Boulton & Cooper
Murton
Tel: 01653 696151
Saturday, May 28
11am
Auction Antiques & Collectables
David Duggleby
Scarborough
Tel: 01723 507111
Thursday, June 2
9am to 6pm
Admission £20 (allows entry on both days)
Friday, June 3
8am to 4pm
Admission £5
IACF Antiques Fairs
Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair
Newark & Notts. Showground
Tel: 01636 702326
Saturday, June 4
9.30am
Auction: Antiques & Interiors
10.30am
Modern & Contemporary Art
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Friday, June 10
10.30am
Auction: Musical Instruments
Tennants, Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623780
Saturday, June 11
11am
Auction Antiques & Collectables
David Duggleby
Scarborough
Tel: 01723 507111
Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12
Antique & Collectors Fair
Wetherby Racecourse
Jaguar Fairs
9am to 5pm - £5
Trade Saturday 8am - £6.00
Tel: 01332 831404
Tuesday, June 14
James Bond Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, June 15
Robots and Sci-Fi Sale
Vectis Auctions, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees
Tel: 01642 750616
Wednesday, June 15
10am
Boulton & Cooper
Milton Rooms
Malton
Tel: 01653 696151
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