BASKET CHANDELIER WITH "CRISTAL DE ROCHE" HANGINGS

Régence, France, beginning of the 18th century.
Brass frame with 8 curved light branches, rock crystal hangings designed as stylised leaves, blossoms, strings of pearl and baluster cones. The lower part features a large sphere. Fitting for electricity requires servicing. Some hangings replaced with glass.
D 80, H 115 cm.
D 80, H 115 cm.

"Cristal de roche" is a type of quartz with an exceptionally high degree of hardness and a light refraction comparable to that of a diamond. Already in the 17th century, rock crystal was processed in small quantities and traded at outrageous prices. This forced the artisans to imitate rock crystal, but purity and refraction could not be copied. At the beginning of the 17th century, individual parts made of rock crystal were used, especially for chandeliers. In the 18th century, new deposits were discovered in Central Europe, which made it possible to quarry larger blocks, and to create new shapes.