Monumental Venetian Murano Colored and Clear Glass 9 Light Chandelier Circa 1850

Description

Monumental Unusual and very Rare Antique Venetian Polychrome Murano glass Nine Light Chandelier in Colored and Clear Blown Glass with Extensive Foliate and Floral Ornament A monumental Venetian Murano chandelier is organized around a large central urn formed of clear ribbed glass, rising into an expansive crown of upward-reaching sprays. These sprays are composed of leaves, flowers, and curling stems rendered in a range of colored glass. The urn rests on a rounded pear-shaped body with textured surfaces and applied collars, from which the overall structure opens outward. Around the central form, multiple tiers of floral ornament unfold, each element individually shaped. Multicolored blossoms, striped petals, and ribbed foliage are interspersed throughout, arranged so the floral sprays extend above and between the lighting arms, establishing a layered and vertical composition. Nine S-shaped glass arms project from the lower portion of the frame. Each arm is constructed from alternating ribbed and blown glass sections, joined by applied bands of colored glass that punctuate the curves. At the end of each arm, a scalloped bobeche edged with a colored rim supports a candle socket. Below the arms, suspended finials descend in clear and colored glass, blown into tiered and flared profiles that add depth to the lower silhouette. Additional globular blown elements appear along the lower body, accented with small applied rosettes positioned at regular intervals across the arms and supporting sections. Clarity of the glass, consistent ribbing, and precise junctions between components indicate controlled production throughout the chandelier. Floral elements were formed individually by hand, showing uniform petal shaping and deliberate placement of colored glass. Assembly required the integration of numerous separate parts, each fitted to the internal framework to maintain balance and alignment. The completed chandelier reflects the output of a Murano workshop experienced in large-scale multilight production, combining clear and colored glass within a cohesive structure. Its scale and density of floral and foliate elements contribute to a strong visual presence, underscoring the level of finish and coordination achieved in its execution. Circa 1850

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