European Lamps & Lights

European craftsman are responsible for some of the most iconic lamp designs and styles in history. Much of the evolution of chandeliers, candelabra, and modern lamps occurred in Europe.

While more ornate forms were commonly found in places of worship, palaces of royalty, and residences of heads of state, mass-produced lamps for the average consumer have also served to guide the evolution of lamps and lighting. From the functional French Argand oil lamp, to English pottery style lamps from Wedgwood, to exquisitely ornate Rococo-style Italian and French chandeliers, there is a rich history of lighting and lamp design in Europe.

Quick Facts

• The world’s largest Bohemian chandelier is a 4.5-ton crystal chandelier comprised of 750 lamps and was gifted to the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul by Queen Victoria
• A beautifully ornate Argand lamp was recently appraised on the Antique Roadshow for $8,000-$10,000
• Italian designer Giulio Salviati’s one-of-a-kind 19th-century crystal glass gothic chandelier is estimated to be worth over $1,000,000