|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Crystal is transparent glass of a high degree of brilliance and optical purity, appreciated for its decorative beauty.
The fire and brilliance of crystal comes from the refraction of light passing through a prism. The same phenomenon causes rainbows.
A piece of crystal is like a diamond in that its value depends on the quality of its material and how it is cut.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The earliest-known crystal chandeliers appeared in the sixteenth century and were dressed with rock crystal (a transparent crystalline form of quartz) of irregular shapes. The idea was to increase and enhance the modest power of candlelight
By the seventeenth century, Baroque-period artisans had become expert at cutting rock crystal for chandeliers. The antique shapes designed at that time are still in use today.
The first chandelier trimmings made of glass rather than rock crystal were manufactured in France late in the seventeenth century. The term "crystal" persisted, even after transparent glass became the preferred material.
Complete crystal chandeliers formed entirely of glass were manufactured originally in Murano, an island just north of Venice. The Venetians guarded their secrets of glassmaking with deadly seriousness, sending assassins after any artisan who escaped from Murano.
Eventually the manufacture of crystal spread to Bohemia, Spain, England and Ireland.
By the nineteenth century, Bohemia – site of the first Schonbek crystal factory – had become the world’s leading producer of fine crystal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
