T H Chandeliers
Specialist Retailer of Victorian, Georgian and Vintage Glass and Crystal Chandeliers and Lustres
Replacement and spare parts for your antique or vintage chandelier or lustre…
Because we have been collecting antique lighting, lustres and candelabra for many years, we have assembled an impressive collection of spare parts – droplets (pampilles), drip pans (bobeches) and so on.
If you need any replacement parts we may well be able to help. Contact us to see if we are able to assist.
Our antique and vintage chandelier restoration service…
One of Terry’s main areas of expertise is bringing something back to its former glory, without it appearing brand new.
Terry is able to re-pin (or string) chandeliers in the traditional Georgian and Victorian manner – which is the proper way of doing it. This ensures that your chandelier will be able to face the next fifty or so years with confidence, as older pins made of brass or copper, stretch and degrade over time which will weaken your chandelier and lead to parts falling off.
We have seen a number of lights that come in looking like they’ve been run over, which leave looking like they’ve had a week’s holiday!
If you own a car crash, which needs a holiday, please contact us and we’ll be pleased to give you a price upon inspection.
The chandelier originated merely as a wooden or metal ceiling mounted candle holder, which could be either unhooked to change candles or winched down if it were larger. As time progressed, chandeliers became increasingly elaborate and makers vied with each other to invent more interesting shapes and use ever more expensive materials to satisfy the consumer. Versailles’ chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors, for example, were of silver with rock crystal as pendent drops – at an immense cost to Louis XIV.
Towards the middle of the 18th century, lead glass became ‘de rigueur’ as the medium for illuminating the houses of the rich and famous and the chandeliers that remain are arguably the best examples of glass cutting. The lead glass imitated the rock crystal of earlier eras and could be cut to any shape. Premier manufacturers of the day; Parker, Perry, Lafount etc would invent new droplets to hang on chandeliers and society ladies would have parties to redress their chandeliers with the latest droplets and in the latest styles.
Be
cause of high glass taxes in England in the 18th century, chandeliers were always the preserve of the super rich of the time. Lights, candelabra and lustres from this era remain very highly prized and priced. As we move into the 19th century, steam powered cutting allowed a certain amount of increased production, so pieces from this era are still well made and finished to a high degree but they are not as expensive as earlier examples which is where most collectors and enthusiasts can afford to indulge their passions!
As we enter the modern era, chandeliers start to become more affordable. They are fussy, expensive and time-consuming to make, repair and restore but they are such wonderful confections that they continue to enthrall generation after generation. They have had a resurgence recently, so it seems the allure of the chandelier is as real now as it was 250 years ago. Long may it continue…
Lustres are merely an elaborate candle stick – usually of glass but sometimes of ormolu or china dressed with glass droplets – and they take their name from the large droplets that hang from their rims.
There are hundreds of styles of lustres and they are a virtually inexhaustible source of pleasure for the collector or enthusiast. You can buy lustres (the candlesticks with the droplets) for very reasonable prices, supposing of course, you don’t mind the odd nibble, flea bite or putting a little work into your new purchase to bring it up to scratch.
As with all antiques, you get what you pay for and with early examples, you will have to pay more but lustres are an easy addiction and one will invariably lead to another as a world of styles, colours and makers opens up to you.
DELIVERY
If required, we will personally deliver all items within 25 miles of Downham Market, Norfolk for free. You can, of course, collect your purchases from the shop at no additional cost. Due to the delicate nature of our items, we highly recommend collection in person to avoid any damages. If this is not viable, we can arrange transportation and or shipping for an additional charge. This charge obviously varies on the weight and size of the item, as well as the distance it will be travelling.
We are happy to quote for shipping worldwide but large, high quality chandeliers and other lighting items should be collected and packed by specialist shipping companies. We can advise on suitable specialist carriers and packers. Please contact us for details.
Customers ordering items for shipping abroad must accept that we are not responsible for any loss or damage once the item(s) are passed to the carrier. Customers should note that most non-specialist carriers and parcel companies will not insure antiques and use of these carriers is at the customers’ own risk.
FITTING/WIRING
The installation of your electrical item should always be carried out by a suitably qualified person. We’re not teaching granny to suck eggs here but at the same time, we cannot be held responsible for DIY enthusiasts!
All items are advertised in working order and as described. Any chandelier or electrical item leaving the UK will need to be tested by a qualified person to ensure it meets the minimum specifications for that particular country. This cost would be down to the buyer.
CONDITION
We do not like to over-restore things and like our products to reflect their age. Please bear in mind that the majority of our items are antique and as such may have suffered the odd nibble to the glass, or have some tarnish on the metal work. If you prefer a perfect finish, maybe antique lighting is not right for you.
