Hanglampen c. 1830 - 1850

This drawing presents various designs for chandeliers, conceived by Firma Feuchère. In visualizing these potential light fixtures, we might reflect on the history of lighting and its connection to social class. Before widespread electrification, lighting was a luxury, a signifier of wealth and status. Chandeliers, with their elaborate designs and multiple light sources, were particularly potent symbols. The designs here suggest spaces of grandiosity, perhaps ballrooms or dining halls in aristocratic homes. Consider the labor involved in producing such items. The skilled artisans who would have crafted these chandeliers, their identities and stories are often overshadowed by the opulence of the final product and the elite who commissioned them. These drawings, therefore, exist at the intersection of design, class, and labor history, hinting at the complex social dynamics embedded in seemingly simple objects of everyday life.