Famous Chandeliers
Once upon a time, chandeliers were a sort of status symbol; a symbol of wealth and
sophistication. While the purpose of the fixture was to light the room, much care was given to
make it a work of art. The earliest chandeliers held candles, of course, and were later converted
to accommodate gas and electrical bulbs.
chandeliers
While many of the world's oldest and most opulent chandeliers are at home in European
castles, some are found in the United States.
The White House boasts two famous chandeliers. The one located in the Blue Room is 79 x 36
feet, and takes the staff 2 days to clean. A beautiful crystal chandelier located in the Red Room,
has held its place of honor since 1805.
The United States of America is a democracy, but it is not without 'royalty'; the aristocracy
dating back to the days of the Industrial Revolution. One of those families is the Vanderbilt
family. The Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate is home to a wrought iron chandelier that lights the
grand staircase with 72 lights.
Graceland, home of the late Elvis Presley, had a beautiful Italian cut glass chandelier installed
in the dining room of his home that still gives the thousands of people who visit his home each
year, to speak of its remarkable beauty.
The world's largest chandelier is located in the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The fixture, a
gift from England's Queen Victoria, has 750 lamps and weighs over 4 tons!
murano chandeliers
Other 'famous' chandeliers include the one made of antlers in the lodge where Gaston sings his
intentions to make Belle his wife in Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast', the chandelier that doesn't
stand a chance in Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt's new house in 'Cheaper by the Dozen', and of
course, the chandelier which crashes dramatically to the floor in 'Phantom of the Opera'.
Today, chandeliers aren't nearly the status symbol they once were. Chandeliers are available
from any home improvement or lighting store. Chandeliers can be as simple or ornate as you
want them to be, in any style you want, and with as wide of variety of lamp shades as there is
for conventional lamps.