Period Lighting. Oh My.

Yesterday, I did a post about the latest gas/electric almost period-correct chandeliers added to the Cross House.

I ended the post with a warning:

In a day or so I will post images of the parlor chandelier installed!

PREPARE TO GASP!

Well, today I installed the period-correct parlor chandelier.

Note the lack of almost.

Are you sitting down?

Is your seat-belt fastened?

For, prepare to…gasp!

Scroll way down…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gasp!

 

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Gasp! I actually have a matched pair of these. They were purchased on eBay, and I did a post about the adventure. It was all rather breathless!

 

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GASP! OMG! I AM FREAKIN’ OUT, MAN! I adore the anthemion motifs.

 

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GASP!!!!!!!! I had to add a length of pole to increase the length. The brass will patina in time.

 

 

The chandelier has four gas arms (unconverted) and four electric arms.

The shades are not ideal but will suffice for now.

The bottom of the finial is 78-inches above the floor, and this seems a good length.

One problem?

The chandelier is SO exquisite and SO perfect for the house that all the other almost period-correct chandeliers suddenly look…not right.

While I am not crushed with bitter disappointment (a phrase I try and use at least once a weeks), I am a bit dashed (also a good phrase for a weekly turn).

Sigh.

Another consideration is where to install the matching fixture? I assumed it would go in the dining room, but the scale isn’t quite right. I would need a larger fixture. The library, adjacent to the parlor through a pair of pocket doors, seems ideal. But, I already have fixtures selected for the room: five 1970s Hollywood-Regency pendants which will hang close together, and low, over the shelving island which will be in the room. So, I am thinking the foyer. Or maybe the round bedroom?

 

Oh!

Oh! In my post yesterday, both Jo and Jason brought this device to my attention. It is a “lamp lighter” and was used to turn a gas valve, and then light the gas jet. I do not quite understand the HOW of the latter but the curved thingy is the lighter. I had no idea that such a thing existed! Thanks Jo and Jason!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Comments

  1. meg@sparrowhaunt.com on September 11, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    Now why are the shades “not ideal?” Are you trying to have them match throughout the house, or is it a comment on quality/style/age?

    And that stained glass has me quaking at the knees – normally I’m a fan of colored shades, but those would just compete with the transoms…

    • Ross on September 11, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      I think the ideal shades would have a frosted design, rather than a molded design.

      I think.

      I also suspect that the shades may not be vintage.

      • Cody H on September 13, 2016 at 1:31 pm

        What are your thoughts on opalescent or opalescent swirl shades? Being that they’re relatively neutral in color, they look great with almost any decor or color scheme, and were common for that era.

        • Ross on September 14, 2016 at 9:26 pm

          I do have one chandelier with opalescent swirl shades. It is going in the first-floor bath.

          Such shade are incredibly hard to find in matched sets.

  2. Pat on September 11, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Hi. We use a similar lighter at church to light the altar candles. Originally, they had a wax wick thing that you could slide up with that little projection. (assuming this is like the candle lighter) The lighter has a snuffer instead of the gas valve key. I’m guessing you’d light the wick, turn the valve, then stick the flame above the jet.

  3. Blair Carmichael on September 11, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    I used lamp lighters as an altar boy, one tube contained a wax coated wick that you could slide out as it burned to light the candle, the other side was a snuffer. In your case, a key turner

  4. Rick on September 12, 2016 at 12:15 am

    Would putting “both” chandeliers in the dining room bring it to scale?

  5. Carrie Segura on September 12, 2016 at 2:45 am

    I’ve wondered…how safe is all the gas lights in a house? Gas, valves, electricity…makes me nervous. I’m curious your thoughts.

    • Ross on September 14, 2016 at 9:32 pm

      The gas pipes were disconnected from the main supply ages ago.

  6. Cindi M on September 12, 2016 at 6:39 am

    Anthemion motif is another good phrase to use.

  7. Andi on September 12, 2016 at 8:33 pm

    As mentioned by a few people, the gas lighter would most definitely have a wax coated wick, like this one.

  8. Vicki F. on September 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    Well there was definitely “gasping” going on here! I’ve loved all the fixtures you’ve installed, but this baby is ridiculously gorgeous and with those stained glass windows as a backdrop….well who wouldn’t gasp? Now turn it on!

  9. Meghan, UK on September 14, 2016 at 5:24 am

    I actually gasped. That chandelier is a thing of beauty.

  10. Stewart McLean on June 25, 2017 at 12:11 am

    I was wondering if you could have the gas set up so each fixture has a line to a small hidden propane tank like the ones on a plumber’s torch. You could use them on special occasions and if you forgot they were lit, they would quickly run out of gas. You could use a modern valve on the tank to shut them off in an emergency. I don’t know, I just like the idea of using the gas with the electric.

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