| If you are drawn to the darker side of home | | | | likeable. Here is a bit of chandelier history then. My |
| decorating, you have probably already done most of | | | | black crystal chandelier of choice would be of the |
| what you think is possible: Walls painted red or black, | | | | Murano type - no doubt about that. These are some |
| black velvet drapes, huge silver candelabra sporting | | | | of the most lavishly designed glass objects (not to |
| black candles, etc. But candlelight is not always | | | | mention lamps) in existence, and also quite interesting |
| practical, is it? Sometimes good old electricity has to | | | | as far as their history goes. According to Wikipedia, |
| step into service to keep you from falling over your | | | | Murano is actually several small islands linked together |
| Victorian-style furniture. The ultimate object in this | | | | by bridges and located in the Venetian lagoon, |
| respect has to be - the black crystal chandelier. | | | | outside Venice, Italy. First settled by romans in the |
| If you have never laid your eyes on one of these, | | | | sixth century, it eventually became famous for its |
| you are in for a treat. Personally, I cannot think of a | | | | glassmaking, after every glass-maker in Venice was |
| more darkly romantic way to light up (or down?) a | | | | forced to move to Murano in 1291 (supposedly to |
| room. Please note that I am not talking about a black | | | | reduce the risk of fire in the city). They were the |
| wrought iron chandelier here - no iron! What I am | | | | main producers of glass in all of Europe for centuries |
| referring to is nothing but pure, black crystal glass. | | | | and responsible for several inventions and |
| The kind that reflects the light much like a glossy | | | | developments in glassmaking. Especially famous |
| black Steinway piano - only not like a plane mirror. | | | | nowadays is the Murano chandelier, which is made of |
| The best crystal chandeliers are shaped like flowers, | | | | crystal glass - and completely by hand. An authentic |
| with leaves and petals which bend and twist the light | | | | Murano chandelier usually comes with a proof of |
| reflected in them. With almost any other color of | | | | certificate signed by the master glass-maker, and |
| glass, there will be transparency - but rarely so with | | | | while it isn't cheap, its price will actually increase over |
| the black variety. Definitely a very different lighting | | | | time, making it a great object for investment. These |
| experience. | | | | chandeliers are true works of art and the black ones |
| As with any object of beauty, it goes for chandeliers | | | | are no exception. |
| that a bit of history makes the thing even more | | | | |