Pair of Girandoles

Wealthy French nobles used girandoles, or candelabra with candles arranged in a circle around a central support, for interior lighting in the late 1600s and early 1700s. They placed these girandoles on carved and gilded torchères or on suitable flat surfaces such as tables or mantel shelves. Small glass or rock crystal beads commonly hung from the six or eight branches. The fleur-de-lis at the top of each girandole indicates that a member of the French royal family might have commissioned them.Together with chandeliers, wall lights and candlesticks, they were essential for the lighting of a room. Traditionally, a room was illuminated at three levels. The uppermost source was the chandelier; wall lights and girandoles were often placed at the same height to illuminate the middle area, while candlesticks and portable candelabra were used as "task" lighting.