An American Gas Chandelier
Philadelphia or New York
Circa 1855
Attributed to Cornelius, Baker, and Company or Starr, Fellows and Company
This gas chandelier is an excellent example of the variety of forms used to light American homes in the mid-nineteenth century. Rod-suspended gas chandeliers were popular in America during the 1850’s. By utilizing one of the suspension rods to conceal the gas pipe, the center of the chandelier could be used to display a figure. On this beautiful four-light example, a figure of Benjamin Franklin, holding his hat in one hand and a scroll in the other, stands on a narrow round pedestal. This chandelier retains its original dark bronzed patinated finish with gilt-lacquered highlights. An additional gas outlet on the side of the pan would have provided gas for a portable gas lamp. An almost identical pair of gasoliers with putti appoint the office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia has an almost identical gasolier with the central figure of Franklin in their collection. It is illustrated in an article in The Magazine Antiques in December of 1978 on page 1270 in the article, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
Brass, spelter, and glass
Height: 43” Width: 25”
D1216
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