How were brass girandoles used?

These mirrors were hung on walls between windows or above mantelpieces to reflect natural daylight during the day. In the evening, the attached candle branches were lit to multiply the ambient light in the room. The reflective glass amplified the glow of the candles, making them practical lighting solutions before electricity became common in homes.

Are the candle branches original?

Examining the mounting points where the branches attach to the main frame helps determine originality. Consistent patination and matching cast construction between the mirror frame and the arms indicate they belong together. Replacement branches often show slight differences in brass colour, filing marks, or screw types compared to the primary frame.

How do I tell Victorian from eighteenth-century pieces?

Eighteenth-century examples, such as George I gesso pieces, feature hand-carved wooden construction and distinct gesso layering. Victorian and later nineteenth-century pieces often utilise heavier cast brass or bronze with distinct revival styling. Looking closely at the backboards, fixings, and glass bevelling provides further clues to the manufacturing decade.