I absolutely adore Chandeliers, the way they hang from the ceiling, the way they glint as light hits them, the way they can ooze elegance into a room which previously had none. The larger and grander the better, at least that’s true when I see them hanging in country houses etc. Of course most of us aren’t lucky enough to own a home worthy of a handmade or antique beauty, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still appreciate them. One of my favourite places to visit and see Chandeliers is Venice. But I am not talking about the crowded squares of San Marco or the usual tourist routes. To really appreciate Venice you have to walk away from your guide books and explore the hidden areas, the shops that only locals frequent. There are many antique/junk shops hiding down small alleys.

In one shop I saw the largest Chandelier I have ever seen, of course it’s hard to depict scale in a photo, but believe me it was huge!

In another shop stood a large workbench with glass drops set out ready to mend broken chandeliers. The street was very dark, which made it hard to take photos, but the shop plus street was like looking into a past that most of us have forgotten, the real artists Venice.

Of course you can buy chandeliers in any country in the world. Modern ones are usually wired for electric lights, which means they can be used daily. Have any of you purchased a bit of grandure and hung a chandelier in your home?

In London there is a beautiful tea room called Le Chandelier which aside from wonderful food also sells beautiful chandeliers.

Or perhaps scour the antique shops near you and buy up antique chandelier drops, I have seen these made into beautiful Christmas decorations, or pendants to hang in a window, the possibilities are endless. We have made some of our favourites into jewellery here.