Topic: is replacing these eardrops an acceptable restauration?

[Ivo]

The large Bohemian lamp (how was this used?) from the 1870s/1880s has 10 cm eardrops as shown - but 2 are missing and 1 is damaged, so I really want to replace them with the drops from the small pressed candle stick. The Bohemian lamp wil have less glitter and a better view of the (quite handsome) foot - but would this be a sacrilege, an insult to the integrity of the glass design? 
Opinions eagerly awaited...

[dirk.]

Hi Ivo,
personally I would always prefer the original state of an item even if incomplete or
damaged. What about placing the left-over eardrops to one side? You´ll at least
get the impression of a complete item then.
You´ll otherwise only produce another marriage IMHO.
Kind regards,
Dirk

[chopin-liszt]

I'd put the drops on alternately - it would look better than without, or bits missing, and at least be balanced for display or use (if you want to be able to see it)

It's only a problem if you want to sell it, in which case, you'd be better to sell it as is, honestly.
You never know, the right sorts of bits might turn up.

[flying free]

mmm I do love a chandelier and I am not averse to reconfiguring one with different drops (alternate Victorian long crystals with murano glass long droplets in amber etc )especially since I cannot afford the ones I want so have to take what I find, which might have a number missing.
However....imho the smaller drops belong on a glass or crystal bowl type thingy and not on the larger goblet lamp - they are too small and somehow too 'round' or something.  I think I would keep the ones that belong on it, put them on alternately, keep the odd one left over just in case you find matches at some point, and then look for crystal drops that are either similar or at least the same length, and a longer shaped drop, for the alternate gaps.  Or go mad and put something totally out of keeping on it instead, in amber or green!  But definitley a bigger drop.
As I said, just an opinion
m

[Ivo]

Thank you for these really useful suggestions. I'll postpone the restauration until I find better matched drops - and keep an eye open for coloured ones!

[Anne]

They do turn up on eBay so it's worth keeping an eye open there. I just saw these, but they might be a little too long:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250538909162

[Frank]

Wilkinson's (London) could make you exact copies to replace those missing, or from stock, not frightfully expensive. This is what they do so most of the complete ones out there could possibly include their work.

[Andy]

Ivo,
did you see this link,
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,30423.0.html

maybe Chinacraft do other drops?

Andy

[Ivo]

I'll just wait until I find a few suitable ones; I think I could not live with myself if I married a Bohemian antique to Chinese baubles - I'd rather marry two orphans of the same age. I'll not say never never of course. 

[keith]

I'll just wait until I find a few suitable ones; I think I could not live with myself if I married a Bohemian antique to Chinese baubles - I'd rather marry two orphans of the same age. I'll not say never never of course.

Outside of the GMB this would sound very strange don't you think?Keith.