Electrolier, brass and glass, England, 1923, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Electrolier, brass and glass. The electrolier is composed of a large glass sphere with a mirrored surface, below which is suspended the electric lamp, a pale blue circular glass shade and three similarly coloured glass beads. The ceiling boss is a plain, flat disc with a simple, moulded rim. The flex, a three strand plait, passes through the centre; the length of the drop is adjusted by a simple, screw clamp. The shade, which is a pale blue glass disc is suspended by a three prong cage surrounding the bulb. The ends are bent back to support the glass and terminate in a small loop from which each of the glass beads are suspended.

This electrolier was designed for Gledstone Hall, built to Lutyen's design in an English Palladian style for Sir Amos Nelson between 1923 and 1925. The design was kept deliberately simple so as not to distract attention from the plain vaulting of the main staircase and the ground floor corridor. A close examination of contemporary illustrations of his buildings demonstrates that he rarely used the same fittings in more than one building. Several installed at Campion Hall, New Delhi and Gledstone Hall use an annular glass plate but each time in a different way. Lutyens designed a whole range of electrical fittings for many of his buildings and these are amongst the most innovatory light fittings of the early twentieth century.

M.39:1-1991