Pair Girandole Wall Lights
These pair girandole wall lights combine reflecting glass with candle arms to throw warm light across a room.
Pair Girandole Wall Lights
Pair girandole wall lights are mirrored wall sconces designed to multiply candle illumination through reflected surfaces. They appear frequently in French, Italian and English variants dating from the nineteenth century into the 1930s.
The form spans carved giltwood Florentine frames, neoclassical Adam revival brass brackets, and ornate bronze Napoleon III models with multiple candle arms. Many pieces integrate bevelled mirror plates directly behind the candle sconces to catch the flicker of the flame.
Buyers will encounter various regional interpretations here, from carved wooden Rococo revival scrolls to polished brass plates and Venetian glass constructions. Each pair provides matched symmetry for flanking a fireplace, doorway or console table.
How they were made
Makers built these pieces using carved gesso and giltwood, cast bronze, brass, or gilded metal formed around silvered mirror glass plates. Wooden frames relied on hand carving and applied gesso before receiving layers of gold leaf or polychrome paint.
Metal versions utilised cast brass, ormolu, and toleware, shaping structural arms to support multiple candle nozzles securely. Crystal drops and glass panels were hand-cut and wired or pinned into place to catch and refract the light.
Styles represented in the current selection range from Rococo revival and Florentine Baroque to Adam revival and Louis XVI designs.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the depth of the hand carving on wooden giltwood frames and the crispness of the chasing on bronze or brass castings. Superior examples show intricate detail in the foliage, figures, or architectural motifs without softening of the edges.
The integrity of the mirror glass matters greatly, distinguishing original mercury or silvered plates with natural ageing from later replacements. Robust construction of the arm joints ensures the candle branches support weight firmly against the wall.
The Pair Girandole Wall Lights Glossary
- Girandole
- A branched wall light or candle sconce incorporating a mirror backplate. The reflective surface serves to multiply the illumination cast by the candles.
- Sconce
- A wall-mounted bracket designed to hold one or more candles or lamps. These fixtures secure directly to vertical surfaces.
- Giltwood
- Wood that has been coated with a thin layer of gold leaf. This technique creates a rich, reflective golden finish on carved frames.
- Ormolu
- Finely cast and gilt bronze ornament applied to furniture or lighting. The process involves coating bronze with a mercury-gold amalgam.
- Toleware
- Painted or enamelled sheet metal household objects. This material appears frequently in decorative French wall lights.
Pair Girandole Wall Lights: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a heavy pair?
These wall lights require sturdy fixings screwed directly into masonry or wall studs to bear the combined weight of the metal and mirror glass.
Use heavy-duty picture hooks or brackets rated specifically for the weight of the frame and arms.
Can I convert them to electricity?
Many examples retain their original candle sockets for wax use, while others have been discreetly wired for electric candelabra bulbs.
Consult a qualified electrician to assess internal wiring channels without damaging historical metal or wood components.
How do I clean giltwood frames?
Dust the carved surfaces gently with a soft, dry brush to prevent dislodging delicate sections of gold leaf or gesso.
Avoid liquid cleaners and harsh chemicals entirely, as moisture strips historical gilding from the wooden base.
What rooms suit these lights?
Pair girandoles suit dining rooms, hallways, and living spaces where reflected candlelight creates ambient illumination.
Mount them at eye level flanking a fireplace or large mirror to balance the room's proportions.