Large Louis XVI-Style Balloon Chandelier w/ Opulent Glass Beadwork - 26½" x 27½"

This impressive late 19th-century six-light chandelier is inspired by the Louis XVI balloon form, with a broad circular gilt-brass frame supporting a deep basket of faceted crystal beads. Numerous strands of round-cut beads sweep upward toward the crown, creating the characteristic tapered silhouette, while dense beadwork below converges into a broad gilt-brass flower-head finial, completing the lower part of the chandelier. Six scrolling arms extend from the perimeter, each supporting a glass bobeche and candle-style light. The upper section is enriched with large star-shaped glass rosettes, while clear glass leaves and floral ornaments punctuate the central brass band, adding further sparkle against the warm, softly aged metalwork. The chandelier is notably heavy, reflecting the generous quantity of glass that gives the piece its rich, luminous presence.

The piece has been carefully restored and rewired in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence by a passionate specialist in historic lighting working closely with Mathieu Lustrerie, the renowned Provençal atelier specializing in fine historic lighting. During restoration, the chandelier was sensitively revisited, with elements such as the glass leaves and rosettes around the central band, the star-shaped ornaments above and probably the glass bobeches added. These additions have been well integrated into the original structure, enhancing the sparkle and richness of the piece while remaining sympathetic to its late 19th-century character.

Its broad proportions and dense swags of crystal give the chandelier a rich, opulent presence, while the open beadwork keeps the overall effect luminous and visually light. It would work particularly well above a generous dining table or in a high-ceilinged entrance hall, where the warm gilt brass and abundance of faceted glass can bring sparkle and a touch of grandeur.