Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary
Illustrated FURNITURE Glossary
Girandole
Pronounced: JIR an dole
An ornate candle holder; often with a mirror.
Girandole (from the Italian girandola) is an ornamental branched candlestick or lighting device often composed of several lights. It came into use about the second half of the 17th century. It has always been, comparatively speaking, a luxurious appliance for lighting, and in the great 18th century period of French house decoration, the famous ciseleurs designed some exceedingly beautiful examples. A great variety of metals has been used for the purpose. Gilded bronze has been a very frequent medium.
Some popular mirrors, especially the convex style, and some large dressing glasses of the 19th century were known as "girondoles" because of the lighting devices mounted to their sides.
Examples from Buffalo:
- Illustration above: Boies-Lord House
