Gasolier

Public Domain

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CultureEnglish

Titles

Gasolier
Chandelier

Datemid- 19th century

Made inEngland

MediumLead glass

Dimensions51 × 42 in. diameter (129.5 × 106.7 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.71.77

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Belter Parlor

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

GLASS

DescriptionThe first commercial gas lighting company in the United States was founded in Baltimore in 1816, with artist Rembrandt Peale among the founding partners. This company and many others of the time used manufactured gas rather than the natural gas more familiar today. Most manufactured gas resulted from distillation of coal, though other fuels were also used. Gas lighting remained common in American cities through the end of the 1800s. A wide variety of gas fixtures was available, but glass chandeliers were most likely to be found in parlors. They often came with counterbalances that allowed the fixtures to be lowered for better lighting of the tabletop when desired.
ProvenanceGeorge H. Corliss (1817–1888), Providence, Rhode Island; Charles Brackett (1892–1969), Providence; Corliss-Brackett House, Providence; Brown University, Providence; purchased through [Nino Scotti, Associated Appraisers, Inc., Providence], as agent for Miss Ima Hogg, 1971; given to MFAH, 1971.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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