Topic: Spectacular leaded plafonnier, possibly Dutch/German

[chilternhills]

I bought this beautiful plafonnier the other day for the museum. It's leaded, with an 8-pointed star in the middle, with a circle of large blue glass cabochons surrounded by small red cabochons. The rest of the star is inset with large chunks of irregular shaped glass. Outside the star the leading has pink flat glass and a ring of yellow flat glass around the top. The dome of the plafonnier measures about 14 inches (36 cm) in diameter. The dome is mounted in a hexagonal wooden framework inset with blue glass cabochons. The chain seems to be original to the piece.

The only other ceiling light of similar form I could find was on the website of Jones Antique Lighting. It's described as either Dutch or German, made about 1930. https://www.jonesantiquelighting.com/product/netherlandsgermany-abalone-shell-leaded-plafonnier-circa-1930/

Can anyone provide further information? Thanks in advance.

Anton

[Ekimp]

Looks impressive. One the same design here: https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/leaded_glass_ceiling_light/as342a314 That one said to be English.

Not sure about the way they have used random offcuts for the background (the flat pieces) with extra lead filling the large gaps - rather than properly cutting pieces to shape to fit each other like a jigsaw. There are lots of reproductions of leaded stained glass lamp shades and not sure how you would determine an original earlier piece.

Has a Moroccan or Indian look to my eye.

[chilternhills]

Thanks for the link to Antiques Atlas. I believe my ceiling light is an original antique and not a later reproduction. It has the patina of considerable age. The form of construction is not how it's done in recent times. The link used to unite the three parts of the suspension chain is brass, obviously old, and complicated in design. The chain itself is of quality construction. There is a small piece of wood missing on the framework that has gone completely brown. In other words it's an old breakage. The seller on Antiques Atlas was convinced that his ceiling light dated to c.1920. A local antiques dealer thought 1910-1920.

[glassobsessed]

I couldn't find any decorative chandelier chain quite like that available for sale right now but I have seen that pattern either on other light fittings or possibly mirrors in the past. We would likely be talking items from the 20s through to post war but as I don't remember anything specific maybe a photo of the bulb holders or interior gubbins would be more useful!

John

[chilternhills]

The bulb holder was modern white plastic and had modern cabling. I removed it. There are no other original fitments inside the shade.