Late 18th-century glassmaker William Parker elevated lighting to a beautiful art form. His stunning chandeliers and candelabras caught the attention of aristocrats and nobles, and he designed luxurious pieces for many royal houses. Consideration of detail and an elegant neoclassical style earned Parker recognition as one of the foremost glass cutters and manufacturers.
Parker established his glass business on Fleet Street in London around the year 1763. His first major attributable commission was for the Bath Assembly Rooms in Bath, England, in 1771. British architect John Wood the Younger designed the interiors in 1769. Upon their completion, Parker was asked to produce lighting for the spaces. His five chandeliers still hang in the ballroom of the historic site and are among the finest surviving examples of 18th-century chandeliers.
Parker’s exquisite work in the Bath Assembly Rooms brought him acclaim and prestige. In 1778, he was commissioned to create chandeliers for the Bath Guildhall as part of a rebuild by architect Thomas Baldwin. In 1782, he supplied lighting to William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, and, from 1783 to 1787, he worked on lighting for Carlton House, a Westminster mansion belonging to the Prince of Wales.
While Parker’s legacy was cemented by his celebrated chandeliers, he was also a pioneering inventor of scientific instruments. His Fleet Street business provided chemists with bell jars and lenses for cutting-edge experiments. In 1784, he sent a sizable burning lens device to the American Philosophical Society. The device and its heating powers were so impressive that Parker was voted in as a member of the society in the following year.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique William Parker lighting.
$164,057 / set
A Fine Pair Of George Iii Wall Lights By William Parker
By William Parker
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine pair of ormolu and cut glass wall lights suspended by oval fluted back plates with ball bead decoration, mounted with a scroll arm supporting cut glass eggs, mounted with a or...
Ormolu
Pair of George III Tole Painted Wall Lanterns
Located in London, GB
A pair of late George III Told Peinte Storm Lanterns, circa 1810. A rare period survival, presented in original condition, with wear, marks, knocks and scratches as per age and use ...
Steel
$5,225
H 12 in W 15 in D 10 in
c1800 British George III Ormolu/ Cut Glass/ Pink Etched Crystal Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare c1800 British George III Ormolu/ Cut Glass and Pink Etched Crystal Wall Sconce. 3 candle holder arms. Heavy Ormolu framed, expertly cut glass/ cut crystal. Cut glass egg prisms....
Cut Glass
$2,950 / set
H 3.75 in W 15.5 in D 7.5 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Fluted Glass and Nickel Wall Lights by Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a sandblasted and fluted bowl diffuser supported by two brushed nickel clasps.
Nickel
$14,181 / set
H 29.93 in Dm 23.43 in
Pair of Uchiwa Wall Lights III by Ingo Maurer for Deisgn M, Germany, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Warsaw, PL
Pair of iconic Uchiwa Wall Lights by Ingo Maurer for Design M, Germany, 1970s. Executed in bamboo and rice paper fans. Bulb instalation: each 1 x 100 Wattage ( E 27/ E26) for standa...
Cotton, Bamboo, Paper
A Pair of Wall Lights by Paavo Tynell
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of wall lights designed by Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) Model Number 9460. Polished brass. Produced by Idman, circa 1950th. Both stamped "Idman". Dimensions: H 7" × L 14.2" × W 4....
Brass
$3,200Sale Price / set|36% Off
H 20.28 in W 14.38 in D 7.09 in
Pair of Fine French Mid-Century Wall Lights Sconces
By Maison Baguès
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Two fine French Baguès style Mid-Century sconces.
Bronze
Pair of Mini Wall Lights by Vitrika
By Vitrika
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of mini wall lights by Vitrika, Denmark, circa 1960s. Existing wiring, rewiring available upon request. Dimensions: 5" H x 3" W x 2.75" D.
Glass
Pair of Large Wall Lights by Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large wall lights designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden, circa 1970. Existing wiring, we do not guaranty functionality. Rewiring ...
Blown Glass
Pair of Italian Wall Lights
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian wall lights. Manufactured in Italy, circa 1960s. Perforated metal and acrylic. Rewired for US junction boxes.
Metal
$18,000 / set
H 12 in Dm 21.5 in
A Pair of Fine French Art Deco Chrome and Glass Wall Lights by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of fine French Art Deco sconces by Jean Perzel with a chrome frame and glass discs.
Chrome
Pair of Wall Lights by Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of wall lights by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Sweden, circa 1960s. Polished brass with perforated shades. Existing wiring, we do not guaranty functionality, rewiring available upon...
Pair of Wall Lights by Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms
Located in Karlstad, SE
Elegant Swedish mid-century wall lights in solid brass with opaline glass shades. The design is slender and well-balanced, with softly rounded opaline shades resting in finely detail...
Brass