Empire & Basket chadeliers

It was around the turn of the 19^th 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.