Pair of Antique French Crystal and Bronze Girandoles, Circa 1890

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This lovely pair of crystal and bronze girandoles are from France, circa 1890. A girandole is a branched candelabra that … Read more This lovely pair of crystal and bronze girandoles are from France, circa 1890. A girandole is a branched candelabra that resembles a small chandelier. Often produced as pairs, the first girandoles were seen in the latter half of the 17th century.

Our girandoles sit on tripartite bronze bases above shaped plinths. A fluted column rises from the top of each base before fanning out into seven sinuous arms. Each arm rises sharply and are topped with a bobeche with undulating edges and a bulbous capital. Three sets of crystals are affixed to the underside of each arm, displaying a rosette above distinctly cut pendeloques with beveled edges. The capitals are extended by white candle sleeves that are fitted with pink flame bulbs.

The top of the fluted column forms the base for a rising bulbous crystal tower. Six crystals (two of them are blue hued) are stacked on top of each other with an iron rod running through their center. Three tiers of sinuous arms emanate from the central rod, with the lower levels having five arms, while the upper one has four. Like the cupped arms below, these higher branches have rosettes and pendeloques hanging from below, in this case two groupings.

These stunning French crystal and bronze girandoles have been electrified for use in American homes. They can be displayed together on top of a side table or a mantel ledge. Or they can be separated and used on either side of a bed or sofa. See less