1. The history of the chandelier

Dating back to the Middle Ages, chandeliers have come a long way from animal-fat candelabra to symbols of social status, and are now an elegant light fixture found in thousands of homes. Yes, you read that right. The word chandelier is a derivative of the French chandelle, which means candle.

As early as 1066, Anglo-Saxon churches would hang wooden structures from the ceiling to support candles made of animal fat, providing ample lighting throughout the room. Such were the humble origins of the chandelier. Decades later, these lighting fixtures have gone through countless changes and updates, including the innovation of LED chandeliers.

1) A brief background history of the chandelier

Chandeliers first appeared as early as the 15th century; at that time, they were commonly known as polycandelons. Very similar to Byzantine art of the fifth and sixth centuries, the menorah took the form of a wooden cross or a flat metal disc with an extension hanging from where the candle was placed. Soon after, these pioneering chandelier prototypes were widely used in churches and then found a place in castles and royal palaces.

By the end of the 15th century, chandelier craftsmen had adopted new production techniques and utilized different materials to create improved and refined chandelier designs. Chandeliers symbolized victory, power, luxury, and class as most wealthy and aristocratic homes used them as decorative ornaments rather than functional lighting fixtures. It’s safe to say that the introduction of intricate gilded elements and bold shapes revolutionized the evolution of chandeliers.

2) The development of chandeliers from the 16th to the 19th centuries

The evolution of the chandelier didn’t stop there. By the 16th century, these buildings had gained prominence and appeared in working-class homes. However, even as the exclusivity of the chandelier faded, the gap between social classes remained wide. More elaborate, ornate designs continued to appear across Europe, distinguishing middle-class homes from the aristocracy—with working-class homes featuring wrought iron, wood, and tin chandeliers. In contrast, the Bourgeoisie employed crystal chandeliers suspended from gilded silver metal structures. Since then, the history of chandeliers has undergone significant improvements. This is a breakdown.

3) 17th-18th century chandelier

By the 17th century, chandelier designs became more refined as craftsmen explored different variations and raw materials. Finally, the 18th century brought a major shift from clear crystal chandeliers to uniquely colored blown glass. The Italian brains behind this revolution, Gio Ponti, was a brilliant architect/designer from the Venetian island of Murano. He created Venetian glass as a relatively cheaper alternative to crystal for chandeliers. Not only was Venetian glass affordable, but it was also brighter, clearer, softer, and easier to shape – marking the golden age of chandeliers.

4) 19th century chandelier

By the 19th century, chandeliers became popular, with well-known brands like Daniel Swarovski producing cut gemstones for gorgeous crystal chandeliers. However, when the revolution was at its peak, house fires were rampant, prompting innovators to develop safer options. In the nineteenth century, gases were introduced as a major source of artificial light. Candle chandeliers were soon replaced by glass-encapsulated gas lamps.

5) 20th century chandelier

The second half of the nineteenth century was marked by the discovery of electricity, followed by the mass production of light bulbs and electric chandeliers. At this stage, society was more concerned with optimal lighting; therefore, most homes abandoned bulky crystal elements in favor of affordable and simpler chandeliers.

2. Cost of chandelier

Here are the costs associated with chandeliers.

1) Chandelier price range

Chandeliers come in a variety of price points. Most are mini chandeliers measuring less than 20 inches and can be found everywhere. If you are talking about chandeliers that are 30 inches and above in size as one of the main decorations of your home, then they are usually not that affordable. The price range is still wide, ranging from $250 to $300,000.

2) Why are chandeliers so expensive?

The process of making a chandelier requires expertise a lot of time and work and is expensive. What’s more, there aren’t many chandelier manufacturers in the US or EU, so most chandelier products are imported. You can watch how prices gradually increase as they move from producers to importers, distributors, brick-and-mortar stores, and perhaps the Internet, and then to buyers.

Standard model: Each party in the middle adds a cost that is ultimately paid by you, the customer.

Another key question is the type of crystal, which has a significant impact on the price of the chandelier. Below is a list of crystal types, ranging in price from expensive to cheap.

• Swarovski element crystal glass
• Spectral Crystal
• Egyptian/Moroccan crystal (gem cut)
• Turkish Crystal (Hand Cut, Traditional Hand Cut, Magnificent)
• Italian crystal (traditional, Venetian)
• K9 crystal

Most customers, unless they are experts, cannot identify the differences between different varieties of crystals.

3) Chandelier purchasing strategy

Now you know why chandeliers are so expensive. When you search for “cheap chandeliers” or “budget chandeliers” online, you can find significant discounts from some suppliers, such as 40% off or more. However, even with the price reduction, the final price is still extremely expensive. Most likely, they are one of the players using traditional business strategies, marking the initial price extremely high to give you the illusion of a fantastic offer.

Here are some practical and easy tips for finding cheap chandeliers:

Choose a crystal from the bottom of the list, such as K9, which will save you a lot of money and look just as beautiful as more expensive crystals.

Try to find a quality brand like us – Postmodernlighting – that sells products directly online so you don’t have to pay all those extra fees. We use specialized procedures to inspect each product before it is offered or shipped. This requires strict quality and accuracy standards. Additionally, we cut out the middleman and connect you directly with the manufacturer, which can save you up to 60%.

3. How to upgrade an outdated chandelier

If you think your chandelier is too plain or outdated, here are some ways you can upgrade your chandelier so you can have a custom antique-looking chandelier.