Glossary of Chandelier Terminology

The world of chandeliers can be confusing so what we've done here is put together a glossary of terms to provide illumination in the black art. Only some of these terms are used in this site but the glossary provides a useful general reference guide.

• Arm:- The light bearing part of a chandelier sometimes known as a branch.
• Arm Plate:- The portion where the Arm attaches to the centre of the lighting piece.
• Bag:- A group of crystal drops formed by strings hanging from a circular frame and looped back underneath to the centre. Usually associated with regency style of chandelier.
• Bead:- A glass drop with a hole drilled through the middle
• Baluster:- Centre part of the chandelier
• Bobeche:- Drip area where a candle or the decorative piece of a candelabrum sits. The intent is to catch dripping wax residue. This is located at the base of the candle.
• Cage:- An arrangement where the central stem supporting arms and decorations is replaced by a metal structure leaving the centre clear for candles or other embellishments.
• Crown:- A circular chandelier reminiscent of a crown, usually of gilded metal or brass and often with upstanding decorative parts.
• CanopyAn inverted shallow dish at the top of a chandelier from which festoons of beads are often suspended also often used to cover electrics.
• Crystal:- Glass with lead content that gives it special clarity, resonance and softness. Beautiful when cut. See our crystal explained section for more details.
• Drop:- A small piece of glass usually cut into one of many shapes and drilled at one end so that it can be hung from the chandelier with a brass pin. A chain drop is drilled at both ends so that a group can be hung together to form a string or festoon.
• Festoon:- The clusters of crystal drops that hang from the chandelier piece. Can be a few strands or many clusters. This is also known as a garland.
• Finial:- Decorative piece that attaches to the fixture base, usually at bottom of the column or arms.
• Prism:- A drop which is straight and has many sides.
• Regency Style Chandelier:- A larger chandelier with a multitude of drops. Above a hoop, which is a circular metal support for the arms, rise strings of beads that diminish in size and attach at the top to form a canopy. A bag with concentric rings of pointed glass, forms a waterfall beneath
• Sconce:- A protection for a light, lantern or cased support for a candle or light. These were traditionally part of a wall hung light.
• Spire:- A tall spike of glass, round in section or flat sided, to which arms and decorative elements are attached. This can be made from wood, metal or glass.
• Tent:- A tent shaped structure on the upper part of a glass chandelier where necklaces of drops attach at the top to a canopy and at the bottom to a larger ring.
• Waterfall:- Concentric rings of drops suspended beneath a hoop or plate, cascading to form a decorative display.