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Adrian Alan
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F & C OSLER (worked from 1807)
A Magnificent and Rare Cut Glass Chandelier made for the Indian Market
(
1870
)
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Dimensions
210.00cm high
( 82.68 inches high)
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Diameter:
130.00cm
(
51.18 inches in diameter)
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Description / Expertise
The chandelier has tiers of thistle-shaped and tapering glass shades, supported on up-scrolling branches, each hung with faceted pendants. The branches issue from a central baluster column, which is further hung with chains of graduated beads. An unusual feature is the six cut crystal vases that are suspended from the lower portion of the central column and originally intended to hold exotic flowers. The chandelier is stamped on the central metal support 'OSLER'.
The firm of F & C Osler of London and Birmingham, were the leading makers of chandeliers and lighting during the Nineteenth Century. The glassworks were founded by Thomas Osler in 1807 in Birmingham and specialised in glass furniture and chandeliers for the overseas market.
By 1850, the firm was commissioned to make the giant crystal fountain for the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. The fountain stood some 8.25 meters or 27 feet high and contained 4,000kgs or 4 tons of crystal. At a time when cut glass remained the touchstone of quality the fountain was inevitably dependent upon cutters' skills for its appeal. The original catalogue of the exhibition makes particular note of the scale to which this magnificent glass fountain dominated the entrance. 'Forming the centre and, or nearly so, of the entire building, and dividing alike the transept and the nave, rises the gigantic fountain of Messrs. Osler, the culminating point of view from every quarter of the building...'. The brochure also goes on to say that the fountain, '..is perhaps the most striking object in the Exhibition; the lightness and beauty, as well as the perfect novelty of its design, have rendered it the theme of admiration with all visitors.'
In 1856 the firm supplied a large chandelier for St Georges Hall, Liverpool; Liverpool was then the leading and richest port in the country. This was followed by other significant commissions including a thirty six light example for the Mansion House, London.
In 1858, Queen Victoria opened Aston Hall, Birmingham's spectacular Jacobean mansion, to the public and a banquet was held in the Great Dining Room. F & C Osler, produced the table service. According to a history of F & C Osler, "Her Majesty the Queen was so struck by the unique beauty of the Tudor Service, that she asked permission to take away a beautiful Champagne Glass ... This she took personal charge of throughout the journey to London".
F. & C. Osler were leaders in their field and took the art of 'Brilliant Cut Glass' to new heights. The 'brilliant' style emerged by the late 1870's, its name aptly describing it's effect. At its most complex brilliant cutting involved covering the glass surface with intersecting cuts that created innumerable, often fragmentary shapes making up larger patterns. Basic motifs used were stars, hob-nail or polygonal diamonds, strawberry diamonds and fan scallops, out of which a dazzling surface effect was achieved. During the 1880's F. & C. Osler produced even more complicated designs in this style.
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