1 INTRODUCTION

This article will cover the basic information required for conservators and other museum professionals to work safely and successfully with glass chandeliers for the purpose of routine maintenance, installation, storage, conservation, and restoration. The topics addressed include a definition of the glass chandelier; terms needed to define and compare the various parts of the chandelier, a brief history of the structure and style of early glass chandeliers, and the care, handling, disassembly, conservation, and restoration of glass chandeliers.

Glass chandeliers require approaches and procedures for care that are different from those for metal or metal and glass lighting devices, although many of the issues discussed in this article will be helpful to anyone working with devices decorated with glass elements.