Relevant categories: Tables
(Above photo - At Canonbury Antiques we carry a range of torchere stands. )
Before the invention of electricity, people relied on candles for lighting. In the home, the candles were either displayed on elaborate candelabras or lamps. The best example of such a lamp is the torchiere. Translated as “torch lamp,” the torchiere is a lamp featuring a tall metallic or wooden stand.
They were initially designed as candelabras with up to three lights. It was the French who first made the torchere in the 17th century. Soon, they were exported to England, Holland, and Italy. The first pieces had only one candle and were meant for use in smaller rooms. With time, the number of candles were increased to light larger rooms. What Is a Torchere?
(Above photo - Pair William IV Torcheres - Antique Carved Stands )
A torchere is a lamp suspended on a tall metallic or wooden stand. It means “torch lamp” in French and was designed to hold a light or lamp. The torchiere held one or more candles depending on the size of the room, which was supposed to light. Due to its highly attractive nature, the torchiere also served as an effective decoration. Several torchieres would be placed next to one wall in a house to provide light in the rest of the space.
(Above photo - French Empire Jardineres - Ormolu Torcheres Plant Stands ) Today’s torcheres feature halogen or fluorescent bulbs in place of candles. If you choose halogen lights, you can build a dimmer into the system. That way, you can choose when you want bright or dim light. For a fluorescent light, you will need to utterly different circuit. Simply, halogen bulbs ness pulsing in their circuits, but this may make fluorescent lighting a little erratic. So, you may want to buy a torchiere for lighting purposes. However, there is an increasing number of people who use these lamps stands as decorations in the home. If that’s why you want one, you are better off buying an antique torchiere. Luckily, the market has a lot of torchieres, which you may want to choose from. Materials Used to Make Torcheres
(Above photo - Victorian Torchiere Stand Table Torchere Mahogany Antique ) Torcheres were not just metallic or wooden. It mattered the type of wood of metal from which they were made. The most common types of wood for making these lamps included elm, walnut, and ebony. Of these three, ebony was the choice material for the rich. If one were not buying an ebony torchiere, then it would be one made from silver or gold. But just how did torchieres look? Some torchieres made in the 17th century had Roman patterns. They were the best when it came to holding candelabras and vases. Others were finely carved and covered with strapwork, scrolling foliage, and so on. A lot of work went into the building, just one torchiere. Most of the time, these pieces of furniture stood on four legs, with a few that featured three legs.
(Above photo - Pair Gilt Torcheres Pedestal Stands Column Supports French ) So, what is the reason you want to buy a torchiere? Is it to use as a lamp or for decorative purposes. If you come to our shop, we will help you find, exactly, what you need. Don’t hesitate!
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