Crystal chandeliers have been around for hundreds of years dating back to the medieval era. A crystal chandelier as we know it today is a decorative lighting fixture with branches (or arms) that bear lights. Crystal chandeliers are often quite large containing dozens and dozens of lights with different glass prisms or crystals. In medieval times the chandeliers were made from wood featuring large spikes where the candles were placed. From here chandeliers became quite a status object to own as only people of wealth and of nobility had them in their homes as they cost quite a bit to keep illuminated compared to other forms of lighting in that day and age.

 

In the 19th century gas was used as a source of fueling the lights and the chandelier changed somewhat to accommodate for this, they were referred to as the gasolier. Due to this way of lighting most of the chandeliers were changed from the candle design to the new gas chandelier version. In the late 19th century electricity had made its appearance into lighting and so chandeliers were then made available in gas or electric. As time went on electricity became the main source of lighting fixtures and all the chandeliers became electric rather than gas as well.

 

Chandeliers are still to this day a sign of elegance, wealth and beauty. All over the world crystal chandeliers are placed in palaces, art galleries, and places of high status. The Art Nouveau style chandelier from 1910 in the Municipal House, Prague, Czech Republic, is beautifully designed and looks a picture of grace and sophistication. Chandeliers are not always a traditional style either there are many modern and contemporary style chandeliers such as at the Design MAP Expo à Saint-Étienne. This contemporary chandelier features glass shapes of flowers on the arms and the lights all around it. There are many different types of chandeliers including Venetian, Waterfall, Neoclassical, and so on.