Palmette Chandelier

Palmette — four tiers of glass palm leaves, fanned open. Every leaf is a broad blade of clear glass, deeply fluted along its length and finished with a scalloped, rippling edge where the glass was worked while molten. They spring outward and upward from a chrome frame in four descending rings, each tier narrower than the one above, so the fixture opens like a palm crown seen from beneath.

At 39.4 inches across this is a wide, spreading fixture rather than a deep one. It fills a ceiling horizontally, which is what the form is for — the fluting runs outward along every leaf, so light is carried along those channels to the tips and the whole crown glows at its edges rather than only at its centre.

Why the fluting matters

• Deep channels, not a smooth face. Each leaf is ribbed along its whole length. The flutes act as light channels, drawing brightness out to the scalloped tips instead of letting it pool in the middle.
• Scalloped, hand-worked edges. The rippling along each leaf's edge is formed while the glass is hot. It is the detail that makes the fixture read as foliage rather than as cut plates, and it differs slightly on every piece.
• Clear glass, nowhere to hide. Colour forgives imperfect casting. Clear does not — every leaf has to be right.
• Chrome frame. Cool polished metal, visible as bright studs and rings between the tiers, keeping the fixture silver and crisp rather than warm.
• Twelve lights set within the tiers, lighting the glass from inside at every level.

Specifications

Where it belongs

This fixture needs floor area rather than ceiling height. Over a dining table it suits tables of 84 inches or more, with the lowest leaves 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop. It also works in a large entry, a formal living room, or any space wide enough to carry a metre of glass without crowding it. At 29.5 inches deep it is shallower than its width, so it hangs acceptably on a standard eight-foot ceiling over a table — but it should not go anywhere people walk directly beneath it.

The supplied chain is 19.7 inches, which is more generous than most and suits a dining room without modification. Longer chain is available on request — contact us with your ceiling height and desired drop.

This is a large fixture carrying a great deal of glass across a wide frame. Mount it to a ceiling box rated for a chandelier of this size and fixed to structural framing or a purpose-installed brace, have a licensed electrician confirm the fixing before installation, and plan for two or three people to hang it. Fit the frame first and the leaves afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Palmette and what does it cost?

39.4 inches across and 29.5 inches tall (100 x 75 cm), excluding the chain. $5,000 USD.

How many bulbs does it take?

Twelve, all E14 small screw base. E14 is smaller than the E26 and E27 bases common in North America; in the United States, E12 candelabra bulbs are the closest widely stocked equivalent, and we can confirm fit for your installation. Choose 2700K warm white, or 3000K if you want the clear glass to read cooler and more crystalline.

Is the fluting etched onto the glass?

No. The deep channels are formed in the glass while it is hot, which is why each leaf has real depth and carries light along its length out to the tip. Etched glass produces a flatter, drier surface.

Will every leaf look the same?

No. The scalloped edges are worked by hand while the glass is molten, so the rippling differs slightly from leaf to leaf. That variation is what gives the assembled crown its movement.

Is this crystal?

It is clear formed glass rather than cut lead crystal. The fluting refracts light into bright channels, so the effect is comparable in brilliance, but the character is softer and more organic than faceted crystal.

Will it fit a standard ceiling?

Over a dining table, yes — at 29.5 inches deep it is shallow for its width. But it is nearly 40 inches across, so it needs a room with the floor area to carry it, and it should not be hung where people walk directly underneath.

How long is the chain?

50 cm / 19.7 inches as supplied, which is longer than the chain on most fixtures of this kind and usually sufficient for a dining room without modification. It can be changed on request — contact us with your ceiling height before ordering.

Is it dimmable?

It runs on a common wall switch and has no built-in dimming, so it depends on the bulbs. Dimmable LED or filament bulbs on a compatible wall dimmer will dim, and with twelve lamps in clear glass it is well worth doing.

What does it need to hang from?

A ceiling box rated for a chandelier of this size, fixed to structural framing or a purpose-installed brace. A standard light-fixture box is not sufficient. Have a licensed electrician confirm the mounting before installation, and plan for two or three people to hang it.

How do I clean it?

Dust each leaf with a soft dry brush, working along the flutes where dust settles, and support the leaf as you work. Clear glass shows dust far more readily than coloured glass, so expect to clean it more often than a tinted fixture. Do not spray cleaner onto the fixture; dampen a cloth instead.

Will it work outside the United States?

Yes. It accepts AC 110-240 V and carries certification compatible with North America, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, so it runs on either a 120 V or a 220-240 V supply.

Can it be used in a bathroom or outdoors?

No. It is an indoor fixture.