The hero meets a woman from his past who used to be plain and rather pompous. Now she is mysterious and tremendously attractive. He says, “You’ve changed. What happened to you?” She replies, “Paris.”

In the seventeenth century, King Louis XIV happened to the crystal chandelier. Not that crystal chandeliers had ever been plain. Quite the opposite. They were tremendously imposing and richly laden with crystal. But the new style that evolved when Louis commissioned crystal chandeliers for Versailles had a whole new joie de vivre .

The framework of a Versailles style crystal chandelier is light and airy. In essence the frame is a highly baroque composition of slender scrollwork. There is no central column supporting the chandelier. This is called an open-cage or birdcage construction. To my mind, this openness at the heart of the chandelier is what gives Versailles crystal chandeliers such an expansive, creative, fun feeling. The sheer complexity of the scrollwork is what supports the chandelier.

Just as Louis XIV happened to the crystal chandelier, Schonbek happened to Versailles chandeliers. Over the centuries, the artistry required   to forge intricate baroque scroll shapes was lost, and reproductions became mere shadows of their former glory. In the late twentieth century, Schonbek developed new methods to recreate the ornamental scrollwork and complex framework needed to support the design, in the authentic manner of the period.

If you look closely at a Versailles crystal chandelier by Schonbek, you’ll see that the crystal pendeloques exhibit a variety of shapes and sizes. This richness of detail is typical of the seventeenth-century French court. Schonbek has cut no corners to give you an authentic experience.

A Renaissance crystal chandelier by Schonbek has the same type of frame as Versailles, but the pendants are large, finely faceted crystal drops. If you’re looking for an intense display of prismatic brilliance, Renaissance should be your choice. I like both looks myself.

These Versailles style crystal chandeliers are also remarkable for the blown and cut hollow crystal spikes on their scrolls and arms, as well as a fully-cut crystal spike internally lit in the center of the chandelier.   It takes tremendous skill to cut this spectacular center spike.

I once wrote a brochure on these chandeliers with the headline, “An invitation to share the radiance of the Sun King.”

When the sunlight comes through my big kitchen window where I’ve hung a Versailles crystal chandelier, and dances on the beveled edges of the French pendeloques, I really do feel that my modest 1,900-square-foot home is a pleasure palace.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

I look at Kirov and see a traditional crystal chandelier. But in fact, Kirov is an example of historic resonance achieved by totally eclectic means – an innovative approach characteristic of Schonbek.

There are elements of Swedish Regency styling, Byzantine exoticism and Russian pageantry. The result is an extremely dressy crystal chandelier with something for everyone who loves magnificence.

Hand-formed glass arms are fringed with handcut crystal icicles. The crystal basket is formed by masses of crystal piano prisms. Atop the basket is a handcut inverted crystal dish that illuminates the center of the chandelier.

Light travels up crystal chains of faceted beads, alternately oval and round, to illuminate crystal stars and bells encircling and spiraling off the crown.

Cut crystal stars swirl in a ring around the gallery. Upside-down bobeches form bell-shaped crystal ornaments. And a mouth-blown handcut Bohemian lead crystal trumpet crowns the design.

The icy quality of so much fine crystal in so many shapes and configurations is tempered by the warmth of the finish. You have three finish choices: French Gold, Heirloom Gold or Antique Silver. I personally prefer a golden finish with this crystal chandelier to bring out its aristocratic éclat.

The Newark Museum chose 17 Schonbek crystal chandeliers to enrich their exhibit of Nicolas & Alexandra: At Home with the Last Tsar and His Family. Among these chandeliers was Kirov. Obviously they were struck with the regal character of this crystal chandelier, and its Russian design influences.

Schonbek makes charming wall sconces to match the Kirov chandelier. You can see one of them on the crystal wall sconces page of this website.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

We had lots of company over the weekend, and people said nice things about our house. The presence of crystal chandeliers invariably elicits compliments. Especially our chandeliers, which sparkle with preternatural cleanliness.

My husband has taken to cleaning the crystal chandeliers at odd moments in his day, especially the bulbs. I think it’s just a way of working off excess energy. He doesn’t get to kayak as much this time of year, and he doesn’t always have an hour to cycle or lift weights, but there’s always time to polish a bulb or two, and a line up of pendeloques.

Our crystal chandeliers are almost too clean. They don’t go with the rest of the house, which definitely accumulates dust between my own erratic bouts of cleaning. But there’s no stopping a husband full of nervous energy. I’m hoping he’ll slow down as the weather warms up and the outdoors beckons.

I’ve come to realize, during this period of excessive chandelier care, how much difference clean bulbs can make. If the bulbs are clean, the rest of the crystal chandelier feels clean by association.

An important thing to remember about bulb cleaning is not to touch a bulb with a wet cloth. This can have very bad results. See the cleaning page on this website.

If the idea of cleaning bulbs doesn’t appeal to you, or if your cleaning professional is likely to resist, a dishwasher safe crystal chandelier may be the way to go. Da Vinci™ has made headlines around the world for its ability to go into the dishwasher and emerge looking fabulous. Despite its amazing practicality, Da Vinci™ is also a thing of beauty. As perfectly round as the moon, and as brilliant as the stars, this crystal chandelier will completely transform an interior. I was present at the photo shoot of Da Vinci™ in a loft, and the spectacular shimmering of the chandelier had everyone entranced.