Where were Victorian cut glass lustres displayed?

These decorative objects sat predominantly on mantelpieces above fireplaces, where flickering firelight could animate the hanging crystal drops. Owners also placed them on side tables, console tables, and pianos to catch the light from lamps and candles.

How do you clean glass lustres safely?

Dust the glass body and individual crystal drops regularly with a soft, dry feather duster or microfiber cloth. For deeper cleaning, remove the crystal drops and wash them gently in lukewarm soapy water, ensuring every piece is dried thoroughly before reattachment.

Were lustres used as actual candlesticks?

Many designs functioned simultaneously as candlesticks and decorative ornaments, featuring central sockets intended to hold wax candles. Other variations served purely as decorative mantel vases or figures, lacking a functional candle socket entirely.

What colours are common in these lustres?

Ruby glass and cranberry glass dominate the palette, offering deep, rich red tones characteristic of the Victorian era. Green, pink, milk glass, and uranium glass also appear frequently, often enhanced with white overlay and gilt decoration.