If you are a lover of the finer things in life, especially when it comes to antiques, then you will have probably visited a wide range of properties and viewed the items on display, from historic artefacts through to antique furnishings and fittings that are cherished and proudly shown in historic buildings up and down the country.

Antique crystal chandeliers can be found in many a stately home or historic building, from royal residences through to buildings protected by the Natural Trust, and when you truly see one of these masterpieces on show, you are in awe at just how perfect, how stunning and how awe inspiring they really area. Unless you are lucky enough to make them or sell them like online retailers such as http://roccoborghese.com/, you will probably only come face to face on these visits or if you can afford to buy one for your own property.

But where did it all begin?

Whilst we have no exact date of when the first chandelier was placed, we estimate that around the 15th century and onwards was when the first versions of the chandelier started to be seen.

The word chandelier originates from the French word Chandelle, which offers a literal translation of candle holder, and indeed, the very early chandeliers were just this, candle holders that were portable and very simple in design.

So whilst the chandelier that started out all those years ago, and the ones we know today are different, the history behind them is both amazing and compelling.

They were simply portable candle holders, initially thought to be prominent in the medieval era. It was only around the 18th century that the versions that we are familiar with today started to be found in homes, especially stately homes, castles, palaces and any place that were often homes that luxury or importance existed.

From the kings and queens that ruled our land, through to important buildings from city to city, chandeliers were common place, and whilst they are very much a luxury item in todays world, you will still see them from time to time.

Whilst they are not electric, they started as candles as we mentioned, before evolving into gas, which eventually then became dual gas and electric, before becoming mostly electric as we see today.

Whilst you might see the odd gas-powered chandelier still around, most in fact are electric, which proved to be a more affordable and safer from of power to keep homes in the light. As gas become more expensive and electric more available, it made sense that the way most things were powered headed towards electricity.

So, there you have it, a very quick guide to the history and evolution of our cherished antique crystal chandeliers.