Collections Above Your Head

May 3rd, 2012 |

With only a few pieces of large furniture left in our otherwise packed period rooms here at the Kemerer Museum, I realized that a few objects that in the past have been overlooked and ‘forgotten’ as objects remained…our chandeliers.  If you are like me, we don’t always think about the things hanging above our heads as collections.  Visitors may not know that most of our lighting fixtures in our period rooms are part of our permanent collections, just like our glass, furniture and paintings.  And just like our other collections pieces, these chandeliers embody the styles and design of the time periods in which they were made.

Converted gas chandelier in the 1850s parlor.

Several of the chandeliers and light fixtures have been converted from their original gas burning to electric.  Our parlor chandelier was crafted using varying toned metals.

Detail of the 1850s parlor chandelier.

In rooms unseen by the public, simpler lighting fixtures were acceptable.

Converted gas light in the 1870s bedroom

Our second floor hallway chandelier features etched glass globes with classical figures and pastoral scenes.

Converted gas chandelier in second floor hallway.

Finally, one of the treasures from Annie Kemerer’s original bequest which established the museum, her Venetian glass dining room chandelier.  The piece mimics flowers and leaves in opaque blue glass. 

 So the next time you are in a museum, try looking UP and see what kind of history is above you.

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