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Chandelier second half of 18th century

Gilt bronze, glass, porcelain | RCIN 26153

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  • An eight light chandelier converted to electricity. Finely carved and gilt in Chinese Chippendale style fitted with porcelain candles with central glass cylinder and applied with three Chinese porcelain figures and one Japanese (detachable). The three small Chinese figures are probably from the Fujian province; second half of 18th century and are roughly modelled and have low, hollowed rectangular bases of coarse, buff-burnt stoneware. The first holds a silver ingot with a writing brush, and the other two, lotus flowers. They appear to represent popular folk characters associated with Daoist beliefs. Their robes are enamelled in green, rose-pink, yellow and white, and the bases pierced to hold fixing pegs. The fourth figure, representing a woman in a patterned blue robe, is of early twentieth century Japanese porcelain.
    Provenance

    The chandelier is thought to have been introduced to Buckingham Palace by Queen Mary for the furnishing of her ‘Chinese Chippendale Room’, and may be seen in Richard Jack’s 1926 painting of the room (RCIN 405848).

  • Medium and techniques

    Gilt bronze, glass, porcelain