Chandelier
c. 1750
Medium
Lead glass, iron, and brass
Dimensions
101.6 × 96.5 cm (40 × 38 in.)
Classification
european decorative arts
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
266206
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Made in England around 1760, this is a rare and relatively early example of a facet-cut lead-glass chandelier. Lead glass, also called lead "crystal," had been developed in the late 1680s and was prized for its heft, brightness, and clarity—qualities that made it strikingly similar to precious rock crystal, or colorless diamonds. Of particular importance was the ability of lead glass to be cut without shattering. Cut decoration on English glass first appeared in the 1720s, and chandeliers made o...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...