Q & A

L.K. of Huntsville, Ontario writes:

We own a large Chinese chandelier which we are interested in evaluating and selling. It was made in Guangzhou, China about 1900 and it has electric lights and candle holders. It appears that it was converted to electric before it was finished.

My mother purchased this chandelier in New York City, from a previous owner, about 1940. The total height of this chandelier is 36 inches and it has 6 sides. The bottom light sockets extend up through the mouths of "dragon-fish" and there are six of them. The total width of each side, between the "dragon-fish" is 15 inches.

Each of the sides contains recessed chambers, with a different painting under glass at the back of each chamber, and different figurines at the front of each chamber. The sides of the chambers contain "mirrors" which appear to be polished mica (a couple are missing or partly missing).

There are plates under each chamber which were covered with a silk material containing Chinese writing. Unfortunately, this is the only writing that has survived, indicating that this chandelier was made in Guangzhou. It appears that moths may have destroyed the silk over time.

We have been trying to obtain further information on this chandelier for more than two years from museums and experts, but the only answer they can obtain is that there is not another chandelier like this anywhere.

They would appreciate any comments and suggestions that you may have.

We asked Colin Ritchie to respond:

What an extraordinary object!

Yes, I agree with the senders dating of circa 1900 and what we can read of the inscription says "Guangzhou" therefore we know the piece was made in Canton and very likely for export to the west or commissioned by a westerner perhaps. There is also a portion of further inscription which could be the makers name, unfortunately it is fragmentary and cannot be read from the photograph.

It also appears from the photographs to be embellished with kingfisher feather inlay (the bright azure blue), an exclusive type of decoration originally reserved for the emperor and his family and very closely guarded for a time. By this time though, it had become more widely used without severe penalty.

Some of the other embellishments, like the glass and hardstone beads, may have been added later, as well; it is hard to tell if it is complete or whether it has been altered or reduced.

All in all, a really extraordinary object, very nice to see it is still around and has not been completely "broken-up" and sold as small decorative objects.
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