ANT-834 Pair of Antique Circa 1850 Cornelius 4 Light Gas Chandeliers
Fine pair of original brass four-light chandeliers by Cornelius in the Morning Glory pattern. They are attributed to Cornelius by the gas keys and other design elements. While there are some VERY minor differences between the two chandeliers, there is not that much difference. These are most definitely a pair, and came from the same home.
While there were some variations of gasoliers in the Morning Glory pattern, Peter Myers' book
Gas Lighting in America does show a Morning Glory chandelier (page 45, plate 18), and discusses them in quite a bit of detail. A historical reference like this is valuable in restoring significant properties.
These fine chandeliers have been wired for electricity, and are now ready to grace a home that demands a pair of original antique fixtures of provenance.
History: Here is some history about Cornelius and Cornelius & Baker. Cornelius & Baker, Manufacturers of Lamps, Chandeliers, Gas Fixtures, et cetera. Columbia Avenue & Fifth Street, Philadelphia (main factory location, as illustrated). Christian Cornelius, a Dutch immigrant silversmith, founded his lighting business in 1827, which became Cornelius, Baker, and Company in 1835. By the 1850s, it operated the factory illustrated. They also had another location on Cherry Street, and a store at 176 Chestnut Street. The firm initially made brass lighting fixtures, but later also made zinc fixtures and sculptures, some of which were installed in the United States Capitol. The business was succeeded by Cornelius and Sons and Baker, Arnold and Company in 1869.
Description of the Cornelius Factory Print by William Rease: William H. Rease, born in Pennsylvania circa 1818, was the most prolific lithographer of advertising prints in Philadelphia during the 1840s and 1850s. This image shows the large Cornelius and Baker industrial building occupying most of the 500 block of Columbia Avenue. Near one of the entries, a man holds a horse hitched to a sulky as an omnibus is about to round the corner. In the foreground, passengers board the Germantown Road North Fifth Street omnibus, as a man on horseback approaches.
Measurements: These chandeliers are 35" in diameter. They hang 42" tall. We realize that this height might be too short for high ceiling Victorian homes...so we are offering to extend them with the true Rococo tube (shown) to your desired height.
Finish: Original Finish...we cleaned them up with soap and water, and that is about it.
Making a decision about a pair of 1850 chandeliers for a home of a later date is really not that hard for originality. What is not usually understood is that in early Victorian times, light fixtures were so expensive that they were considered furniture, and were not normally left with the house. You packed them up...and took them with you when you moved. Often, they are listed separately when reading a Victorian Will. Some members of the family might get the living room suite, while others might inherit the lighting. Therefore...inheriting an 1850...for your 1890 house, was not un-common.
Prices for original antique Rococo chandeliers are all over the map. Usually, dealers won't divulge their prices until you pick up the phone and commit to listening to a sales pitch. Our prices can be half of those other prices, but we feel a fair net return is fair for all.
Complete PAIR Price: $14,950.00 plus crating and shipping fees. The price DOES include the nicely hand cut shades as shown on the original-sized 2 5⁄8" fitters.
