A candle chandelier is a chandelier designed to hold candles rather than oil, gas or electric lamps, with a central stem or frame supporting branching arms that end in candle nozzles and drip pans. It is the original form of the chandelier and was the principal means of lighting large rooms in grand houses, churches and assembly rooms before the nineteenth century.
Early chandeliers were made of wood or wrought iron, followed by the brass chandeliers of the Low Countries, with their characteristic globular stems and curving arms, which were widely used in English churches and houses from the seventeenth century. Rock crystal and later cut glass chandeliers, made in England, Ireland, Bohemia and France, reflected and multiplied the candlelight, while carved and gilded wooden examples suited Baroque and Rococo interiors. Many candle chandeliers were converted to gas and later to electricity, and others were made new in the candle style for electric light. Collectors value original candle chandeliers that retain their nozzles, drip pans and original arms, with no drilling for wires. Some owners still use real candles on special occasions, which requires care, while converted examples should be properly rewired by a specialist.
