Empire Style Balloon Chandelier with Pendants, 1870

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Description

Large Empire-style hot-air balloon chandelier with tassels and ormolu mount with palmettes. It is lit by eight lights in the … Read more Large Empire-style hot-air balloon chandelier with tassels and ormolu mount with palmettes. It is lit by eight lights in the lower part and four more in the upper crown. The name Montgolfière chandelier obviously refers to the Montgolfier brothers who, in 1883, took a very large balloon to an altitude of 400m, using heated air to achieve the first flight by a human being. This invention left such a lasting impression on the Louis XVI period that it was adopted in the decorative arts, and can be found on chair backs, clocks or, as here, the famous chandelier, whose shape is inverted. The shape reached its apogee during the Empire period, but was also revived throughout the 19th century.
Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard).The wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise. See less