Friday, February
24, 2006
Present day lighting has evolved from styles found useful
in the past. One of these is the humble lantern.
There’s really no reason for an electrified light to look
like a lantern. No need to protect a vulnerable candle flame,
for example. But the shape is somehow pleasing.
Schonbek makes some crystal chandeliers in the shape of a
lantern just because of this appeal. You might not think crystal
and lanterns go together, but you may change your mind when
you see the urn-shaped
Rivendell lantern.
The heavily textured,
hand-wrought frame is a complex composition of floral motifs.
It is richly encrusted with crystal. Inside the lantern, the light source is a small, shapely chandelier.
A lantern made of fine crystal that has the visual impact
of a crystal chandelier is a highly original idea in the world
of design. Schonbek was the first to think of doing it, and
no one has successfully imitated the craftsmanship and design
virtuosity of a Rivendell lantern.
You can order a Rivendell lantern chandelier in a variety of sizes and
finishes.
Here are two other crystal chandeliers with the lantern look:
Century
and Bagatelle.
Thursday,
February 23, 2006
If you have a preference for Empire style crystal
chandeliers, it would be unfortunate to choose anything but
a Schonbek. The majesty of this style of crystal chandelier
is very much dependent on the magnificence of the crystal
basket. Schonbek takes measures to enhance this magnificence
in every way possible.
The
chains of octagons that make up the basket in a Schonbek will
be staggered so as to make a dense fabric of crystal. There
is simply more crystal in a classic Schonbek Empire style
crystal chandelier. And, very simply, the more crystal you
have, the more brilliance you experience.
Because
of the density of the crystal basket, you won’t see through
to the lights or frame elements inside the basket. Less well
made crystal chandeliers will be more skimpily dressed, and
you’ll find yourself seeing infrastructure that you don’t
need or want to see. It’s like a paint job with too few coats,
with skips and misses and a general lack of richness. A Schonbek
crystal chandelier in the Empire style is rich beyond compare.
An
Empire style crystal chandelier is also tricky to light. Schonbek
will use more interior lights than other manufacturers, to
create an even distribution of light throughout the design.
Camelot
by Schonbek is a good example of an Empire style crystal chandelier
that truly fulfills its mission of opulence.
Tuesday,
February 21, 2006
A
week or so ago, the full moon was so beautiful, this week
I find myself missing it. No doubt that’s part of the appeal
of the full moon. It’s rarely there.
But
I was struck, while moon gazing, by how much the full moon
resembles a globe of rock crystal. The resemblance is starting.
Is this an argument for possessing a rock crystal chandelier?
I think so.
A
crystal chandelier with a rock crystal finial sphere offers
you an opportunity every day to recall the beauty of the full
moon on a clear night. My Tesoro wall sconce is like a mini
crystal chandelier on the wall, and it ends in a glorious
oversized globe of rock crystal. The mysterious markings inside
are curiously similar to the markings on the face of the moon.
In
the attic I have a Timbrel crystal chandelier with a rock
crystal ball at the finial point. But because it hangs rather
high up, it’s not as comfortable to use the finial for symbolic
moon gazing.
I
would never argue, though, against putting a rock crystal
chandelier at an elevated height. Its strong presence is wonderful
under a lofty ceiling. I would just advocate finding somewhere
else in the house to hang a second rock crystal chandelier,
where you can observe it closely every day.
Roma,
for example, is a completely charming rock crystal chandelier
available in a small size. You can always find room for it
in a bedroom or bathroom. Or consider Genesis, a colored crystal chandelier that has a satisfyingly large rock crystal globe for a finial.
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