Large two-tiered Renaissance style chandelier

A two-tiered brass chandelier with six scrolled branches arranged around a central stem. The central part is built up from top to bottom from a vase shaped baluster with a mushroom shaped baluster underneath, standing on a large globe. Between the balusters are the pierced knots in which the twelve arms can be hung. The arms are secured with locking pins. The arms all carry an upwards bent C-volute, leaning against the baluster, thus making the shape of the chandelier more interesting while at the same time strengthening the construction. The arms end in dish shaped lightly profiled candle rings with the candle sockets on top.

During the seventeenth century, a new type of lighting was developed in the Low Countries: the tiered, spherical brass chandelier with a richly profiled stem terminating in a turned drop finial. The exquisitely scrolled arms sprouted, in one or more tiers, from the stem. This popular model was continued far into the 19th century.

These ‘bolkronen’ are frequently depicted in 17th century paintings and thereby give the impression that they were common in virtually every household. However, research into inventories has shown that these chandeliers were not very customary in everyday homes. They were more likely to be found in the elegant houses of the wealthy elite where the chandeliers were a coveted feature of the furnishings, due to their rich play of light and reflection.