Chandelier - Gilt bronze

This is an antique Empire-style chandelier (also called a disc chandelier or ampel), crafted from patinated black bronze and fire-gilded bronze (ormolu). Features of this object:Vormgeving/Design: The design is based on neoclassical Roman and Greek oil lamps (the so-called discus form) that were very popular during the French Empire period.Arms: The chandelier has six arms that end in finely cast, gilded male heads or masks (often Bacchic masks or satyrs) that bear the candle holders.Central decoration: On top of the dish sits a central gilded flame application (flambeau), and at the bottom the dish ends in a pinecone finial.Hanging/Suspension: The whole thing hangs from dark, sturdy link chains to a richly ornamented, gilded upper corona (crown).