Empire & Basket chadeliers
It was around the turn of the 19th century, that chandelier design changed radically from its classic established shape. The basic reasoning behind this new design that is known as an “Empire chandelier” is attributed Napoleon, who wanted a chandelier design that had nothing in common with chandelier styles adopted by the previous French monarchies.
The basic design of a basket chandelier remains the same even today. Vertical strings of crystal octagons , often graduated in size, are called the canopy. These will cascade onto a wide metal hoop, forming a graceful curtain. Underneath, the chandelier will have a bowl or basket of crystal octagons. This gives the overall impression of the chandelier looking like an upturned balloon. This is the historic reason behind the British naming the fixture a Regency Balloon Chandelier, or Regency Chandelier. However in essence this is the same design as an “Empire” chandelier.

















































