Before crystal chandeliers were around, wealthy members of society used candle chandeliers. These rough cross shaped candle holders were made of metal and had spikes at the tips where candles could be attached. The chandelier was then raised to the ceiling with a rope and hook system.
From these crude suspended candle holders came a more advanced type of chandelier. In the 15th century, chandeliers were being made in circular designs. They were still reserved for homes of wealthy members of society. It was expensive to light your home at night, so simply having an instrument to do so hanging from your ceiling was a symbol of your class.
In the early 18th century, chandeliers evolved to incorporate long, curved arms. They had many more candles than previous chandeliers and were much more ornate. Still though, they were only found in the homes of wealthy individuals.
Later in the 18th century, advances in technology led to the ability to cheaply produce crystal. The material was perfect for reflecting light and further illuminating a space, so it became a popular addition to hanging light fixtures, leading to the creation of the crystal chandelier. These chandeliers still utilized candles as their light source, but the light of each individual candle was magnified depending on the number of crystals present.
By the late 18th century, gas light became more common. Many candle operated crystal chandeliers were converted to gas and the term gasolier became widely used. When electricity was introduced in the mid 19th century, those gas chandeliers were converted to electricity. The addition of crystals was still important for light scattering and appearance.
Today, crystal chandeliers can still be found in many of the worlds most luxurious homes, including Buckingham Palace and the White House. Crystal chandeliers are still considered by many to be a status symbol and modern technology has led to the creation of larger, more imposing designs.
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