Girandoles

A girandole is a specific type of lighting fixture with at least two candleholders, frequently held aloft on ornate branches. While antique and vintage girandoles are popular in contemporary homes, these fixtures emerged in lighting design in the latter half of the 17th century, with the French name having derived from the Italian girandola.

Girandoles became popular additions to luxurious interiors in the 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe, particularly in England and France. They were typically affixed to walls in pairs and made from a variety of materials, including gilded bronze and hardwoods.

Artists created girandoles inspired by eclectic sources such as ruined buildings, Greek columns, waterfalls, animals and more. This gave them a sense of movement and nostalgia. Some girandoles were made as both a candleholder and a mirror to reflect light into a room. Many of these mirrors are convex to further enhance the illumination though others are flat.

There are all kinds of lighting to enhance your home. On 1stDibs, find a modern, sophisticated girandole that updates this heritage and pairs well with any furniture style, or find an antique example that brings the beauty of the past into your space.