Antique Chandelier: How to Estimate Its Value

An antique chandelier gets its value from several things: its material (bronze, brass, crystal or glass), its age, the finesse of its making, its condition and whether all its parts are there. A complete, coherent chandelier that has not been much altered is generally of more interest than a mismatched or heavily reworked one. For a first opinion, one overall photo and a few close-ups are enough.

What gives an antique chandelier its value?

There is no price scale for chandeliers. Each one is judged on a set of criteria:

• the material of the frame: gilt bronze, brass, wrought iron, gilded wood or cast metal;
• the glass or crystal parts: drops, plaques, beads, drip pans;
• the period and style: 18th, 19th or 20th century, or a more recent copy;
• the quality of the making: finesse of the chasing, regularity of the joins, weight;
• the condition: missing parts, repairs, worn gilding, oxidation;
• the wiring: a careful conversion or a late alteration;
• the demand: a chandelier of common size and classic style generally finds a buyer more easily than a very large model.

None of these points is enough on its own. A very well chased bronze chandelier that has lost half its drops will be judged differently from a more modest one that is complete and in good condition.

How can you tell if a chandelier is really antique?

Chandeliers in Louis XV, Louis XVI or Empire style were made throughout the 20th century. A chandelier "in the style of" a period is therefore not necessarily old. A few clues help you get your bearings:

• the weight: a bronze frame is heavy; a very light chandelier suggests thin metal or mass production;
• the chasing: on good bronze, leaves, ribbons and fluting are crisp and fine, including under the arms;
• the wear: gilding rubbed in the natural places, such as the edges of the arms, and an even patina;
• the assembly: threaded rods, nuts and screws that look old and slightly irregular; very uniform screws or recent welds point to a repair or modern manufacture;
• the drops: on an old chandelier, they are not always all identical, because some may have been replaced over time.

If you are unsure about the material of the frame, our article on the difference between bronze and spelter gives some pointers for telling them apart.

No single clue proves age on its own. When in doubt, clear photos help a great deal.

Is a chandelier with hanging drops made of crystal?

Not necessarily. Many drops are glass, and only some are crystal. Crystal contains lead: it is heavier, more brilliant, and rings clear and long when you tap it gently with a fingernail. Glass is lighter, a little duller, and its sound is shorter and drier.

These pointers are useful, but hard to read on a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A loose drop, held in the hand, is much easier to judge.

A glass chandelier is not without interest for all that. Blown Murano glass, for example, has its admirers. Some French crystal makers also produced chandeliers: a mark or signature, when there is one, helps identify the piece. Its absence proves nothing.

What are the main types of antique chandeliers?

The ones we see most often are:

• the chandelier with hanging drops, with a metal frame and crystal or glass pieces;
• the gilt bronze chandelier, often Louis XVI or Empire style, with chased arms;
• the cage chandelier, whose metal frame is hung with glass or crystal pendants;
• the Maria Theresa chandelier, heavily loaded with glass or crystal pieces;
• the wrought iron chandelier, often more rustic;
• the Murano glass chandelier, with flower and leaf decoration;
• the 20th century chandelier, some design models of which interest collectors.

The type matters, but the individual piece matters more: quality, condition and completeness weigh as much as the label.

Does rewiring lower the value?

Many antique chandeliers were designed for candles, then adapted to gas, then to electricity. An old, careful adaptation is common and generally not a problem. A crude alteration, with visible wires or badly placed drill holes, is more of a drawback.

For safety, have the wiring checked before you use an antique chandelier regularly again: wires and sockets age. The work should be given to an electrician and done without damaging the structure.

Does an incomplete or damaged chandelier still have value?

Often yes. Missing parts and damage reduce the interest of a chandelier, but do not always remove it. Look in particular at:

• missing drops: some can be found, but it is hard to match the size, shape and tint;
• chips and cracks: look at the pieces against the light, especially near the drill holes;
• bent or broken arms: note how many and where they are;
• worn gilding: do not redo it before asking for an opinion.

A few things to avoid: do not scrub bronze with an abrasive product, do not wash an old frame with plenty of water, and do not throw anything away. Keep the loose drops, even broken ones, in a box: they are useful for comparing and for putting the chandelier back together.

How do you photograph a chandelier for an estimate?

Take these views, in full light:

• the whole piece, from the front and from a distance;
• the top of the frame and the point where it attaches to the ceiling;
• one arm up close, with its drip pan and its candle holder or socket;
• a few drops up close;
• the underside of the chandelier;
• any mark, signature or number;
• the missing parts and the repairs.

Please give the height, the diameter and the number of lights.

Do you need to take the chandelier down before the estimate?

No, photos are enough for a first opinion. Above all, do not take it down alone: a chandelier is heavy, fragile and connected to the electricity. If you have to touch it, first switch off the power at the circuit breaker and get someone to help you. If we buy the chandelier, we take it down ourselves.

Where can you sell an antique chandelier?

There are several routes: an antique dealer or a second-hand dealer, an auction house, or a private ad. For a private seller, the practical difficulty lies in taking it down, packing it and transporting it, because glass pieces are fragile.

With us, the home estimate is free and without obligation, and we can also start from photos. If you decide to sell, we buy antiques with immediate payment.

A chandelier can be sold alone or with the rest of the furnishings. For the furniture that goes with it, our page on period furniture estimates explains what we look at.

What should you do with a chandelier found in a family home?

A chandelier is often the object that gets forgotten in an inventory, because it is part of the decor. Before taking it down, throwing it away or giving it away, have it looked at: an antique chandelier can have value. If several heirs are involved, an opinion helps you know what you are dealing with before sharing things out. We help families with an estate in Île-de-France, and this applies to inheritances handled under French law.

For a free estimate of your chandelier, call us on 06 24 56 38 58 (+33 6 24 56 38 58 from abroad) or send a few photos on WhatsApp to the same number. We will give you a first opinion, without obligation.