How do I clean a large crystal chandelier?

Cleaning involves wiping individual drops with a specialised glass cleaner while the fixture remains suspended. Many collectors prefer cleaning components in situ to avoid disturbing delicate brass wiring. Take care to support drops from beneath while working so that connecting pins do not bend or snap under pressure.

How can I tell a nineteenth-century piece from a later revival?

Examine the metal casting quality, the pin fixings holding the drops, and the composition of the glass itself. Older pieces often show hand-cut irregularities and heavier bronze armatures. Revival pieces from the early twentieth century frequently adopt earlier French Empire styles while employing slightly different wire-binding techniques.

What is the difference between glass and crystal?

Crystal contains lead oxide, which increases its weight, density and light-refracting brilliance compared to standard soda-lime glass. This high lead content allows for sharper facet cutting. In older lighting, heavier lead crystal components create deeper tonal resonance when gently tapped.