Antique Lighting

Mayfair Gallery is proud to offer an extensive collection of superb antique lighting pieces, suitable for illuminating both modern and traditional interiors.

Whilst it might be easy to take modern-day lighting for granted, electric lightbulbs only became widely available at the turn of the 20^th century. Although gaslight arrived in the 19^th century, it was reserved almost exclusively for commercial and industrial settings, meaning that most pre-20^th century homes relied upon a mixture of gaslight and candlelight to illuminate an interior. However, the 19^th century marked a period of change in lighting design, with a greater market for ornate chandeliers, candelabra, and wall lights, each designed to house candles and light fixtures of various types and sizes. Mayfair Gallery is proud to offer some of the finest works of antique lighting that are available worldwide.

Mayfair Gallery’s collection of candelabra is particularly impressive. With their origins tracing back to ancient civilisations, the candelabra in our collection cast impressive figurative or foliate designs out of metal, bronze, and porcelain, often adorned with eye-catching ormolu. Makers include renowned designers such as Beurdeley and Picard. Our collection of chandeliers and wall lights are marked with a similar variety: lavish gilt-bronze Rococo pieces by Barbedienne are accompanied by magnificent crystal fixtures by makers including Baccarat.

The advent of the 20^th century brought an era of innovation and flair into the lighting sphere, with an influx of new materials and a desire to move away from traditional designs. Task lighting (lighting designed to aid specific activities) grew in popularity, and Mayfair Gallery’s collection of floor, table, and desk lamps encompasses the very best styles and makers of the period. Ornate Asprey lamps will add a touch of modern luxury to any home, whilst pieces by Gallé, Daum, and Louis Comfort Tiffany use exquisitely crafted glass to cast a warm glow over a room. Larger lighting fixtures too continued to be re-imagined, with sophisticated mid-century pieces by makers such as Camer proving especially popular. 

Lighting is a quintessential part of the interior tapestry, and is a true unification of form and function. United by their opulence, the works of Mayfair Gallery’s antique lighting collection are sure to satisfy every taste.

Learn more about the history of antique lighting in our blog here.