Few modern homes have room for a large chandelier, but a fine set of candlesticks or a graceful lamp can add a touch of elegance — at a price.

The earlier glass light fittings from the mid- 17th century were designed to hold candles – either singly or in groups – and some designs were extremely elaborate, particularly in France. As technology brought new ways of creating light, styles of fittings evolved to accommodate first oil, then gas and eventually electricity.

Chandeliers

The design of chandelier components was largely dictated by the need to capture the wax dripping from burning candles. Most early glass chandeliers are relatively plain, although some Baroque designs were made in the 17th century, with a gilded brass frame and hanging ornaments cut from natural rock crystal. Nowadays these are seen only in great continental palaces such as Versailles.

Antique Collection

By the middle of the 18th century, glass- cutting techniques had become more sophisticated and British makers started to add ornamental glass pendants or drops to most designs. Soon the drops were linked to form festoons and loops, and by the end of the century so many chains and ornaments had been added that the structure beneath was often hardly visible. Such chandeliers sell for anything from £5000 to £50,000 today, depending on size and design.

In the 19th century, manufacturers started to produce chandeliers with hollow glass arms through which to pipe gas. Most were plainer in style than late 18th-century chandeliers. Quality fell towards the end of the century with the increasing use of cheaper, acid- polished glass drops imported from Bohemia.

Chandelier designs changed again at the turn of/the 19th century with the advent of electricity. Some chandeliers were adapted to the new power source, others sold with false `candles‘ and flame-shaped electric lamps. These go at auction for £1000 up to £10,000.

The demand from interior decorators means that buyers rarely find bargains even among 19th-century chandeliers, as most sell for £5000-£10,000. French Baroque chandeliers have been copied in various sizes and qualities since they were first made in the 17th century, and small mid- 19th-century versions can be found for just a few hundred pounds. Determining the age of glass can be difficult but, in general, genuine 18th-century pieces have a darker tint, with uncut surfaces showing a slight swirling texture. Acid polishing from the late 19th century onwards, by contrast, leaves a granular surface texture.

Smaller Candleholders

Glass candlesticks from both the 18th and 19th centuries are relatively common and can be bought either singly or in sets. Early 18th-century examples usually have a baluster stem, sometimes incorporating beads of air, and sell for £750-£1500 apiece. Later designs are usually more complex, with twists of air or of opaque white glass; and these commonly fetch £2000 each. Plainer candlesticks with cut facets sell for about £2000 or more a pair.

Candlesticks hung with drops are known as lustres, and were popular until the late 19th century. Regency candlesticks adorned with long drops can sell in pairs for less than £1000, as can late Victorian decorative pairs.

Branched holders — or candelabra — are rarer than single candlesticks. Various designs were produced, some quite simple, some in the ornate Rococo style of the early Georgian period; prices range between £5000 and £35,000. Even rarer are fixed wall brackets (sconces) with glass arms for two or more candles. These first appeared in the mid-18th century in similar designs to contemporary chandeliers. A pair will fetch up to £30,000. Even copies of good, late 18th-century pairs can realise £ 15 00-£3500 at auction.

Lamps

Many ingenious and elaborate oil burners were produced in the 19th century, often with a heavy base of coloured or moulded glass. Some of the simplest were in the style of a Classical column as much as 24 in (61 cm) high, with brass or silver-plated Corinthian capitals. These can sell for upwards of £1 000 each, but smaller versions were made around 1900 by Clarkes and sell for £400-£500 each, and £1000-1400 for a pair.

After the arrival of electric lighting, huge numbers of small fittings were made to hold one or more bulbs. Some were made up from 19th-century chandelier drops and others were entirely new. They sell for a few hundred pounds. Electric lamps from the early loth century can be highly collectable, especially those made by Art Nouveau masters such as Tiffany, Gallé and Lalique, and wall and table lamps made in Art Deco style.

In the United States genuine Tiffany lamps start at $100,000 and can reach up to $250, 000, or even more for rarities such as the Wisteria lamp. Gallé and Lalique examples begin at around £8000 but can fetch £60,000 for a rare or limited-edition piece. There are, however, many imitations on the market.

In the 18th century lanterns were used to illuminate halls and entrances. These are usually found in furniture sales and can fetch £2000 or more. Lanterns from the Arts and Crafts movement sell for £300-£400.

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