A
Girandole (from French, in turn from
ItalianItalian is a Romance language spoken by about 60 million people in Italy, and by a total of around 70 million in the world. In Switzerland, Italian is one of four official languages. It is also the official language of San Marino, as well as the primary language of Vatican City...
girandola) is an ornamental branched
candlestickA candlestick, chamberstick, or candelabrum is a holder for one or more candles, used for illumination, rituals or decorative purposes....
or lighting device often composed of several lights. Girandoles came into use about the second half of the 17th century, and were commonly made and used in pairs.
A girandole has always been, comparatively speaking, a luxurious appliance for lighting, and in the great 18th century period of French house decoration, the famous ciseleurs designed some exceedingly beautiful examples.
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A
Girandole (from French, in turn from
ItalianItalian is a Romance language spoken by about 60 million people in Italy, and by a total of around 70 million in the world. In Switzerland, Italian is one of four official languages. It is also the official language of San Marino, as well as the primary language of Vatican City...
girandola) is an ornamental branched
candlestickA candlestick, chamberstick, or candelabrum is a holder for one or more candles, used for illumination, rituals or decorative purposes....
or lighting device often composed of several lights. Girandoles came into use about the second half of the 17th century, and were commonly made and used in pairs.
A girandole has always been, comparatively speaking, a luxurious appliance for lighting, and in the great 18th century period of French house decoration, the famous ciseleurs designed some exceedingly beautiful examples. A great variety of metals have been used for the purpose. Sometimes, as in the case of candlesticks, girandoles have been made in
hardwoodThe term 'hardwood' is used to describe wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood which...
s. Gilded
bronzeBronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive, but sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminium, or silicon. It was particularly significant in antiquity, giving its name to the Bronze Age...
has been a very frequent medium, but for table use silver is still the favorite material.
Girandoles, or lighting devices, have also been attached to looking glasses and furniture. Some popular mirrors, especially the convex style, and some large dressing glasses of the 19th century were known as "girandoles" because of the lighting devices mounted to their sides.