A MURANO CHANDELIER IN MUSEE MAILLOL

MURANO GLASS AT MUSEE MAILLOL (PARIS)

Between March and July 2013, the Musee Maillol (59 rue de Grennelle, 75007 Paris, France) presented an Exhibition « Chefs d’ œuvre of Murano glass from the Renaissance to the XXI st century »

At the invitation of the Museum, the antique dealer Philippe Lachaux loaned a particularly large Murano glass Chandelier for the duration of the Exhibition, of which it became one of the most spectacular show pieces.

Such particularly large chandeliers are exceedingly rare. They are called « Rezzonico » after the name of the Venitian Palace where they were first hung at the end of the 17th century.

Most of the chandeliers of the 17th and 18th centuries which are still in existance, are today found only in museums. Often these fragile chandeliers were damaged during the lighting of candles or during the necessary cleanings when damaged elements had to be replaced.

Thus, the Murano chandelier that was presented at The Musee Maillol, have undergone several restorations and replacements during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Its size is quite exceptional (height 2m80 – diameter 1m80), its weight being something of the order of 180 kgs (400 lbs).

During its last restoration, electric wiring was incorporated, in order to facilitate any eventual electrification.

As from September 2013, this chandelier will again be on display in the Marche Biron in Saint Ouen, in the shop of Philippe Lachaux, the specialist of Venitian style Murano chandeliers.

His web site : http://www.antiquitesphilippelachaux.fr

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