You may find that different websites use different terminology, this can be due to individual suppliers and designers, the introduction of names in history, translation and search term requirements. Below we have listed some of the terminologoy used by King's Chandelier Services Ltd. We have an image with names
here
Chandelier originates from the French word Candere which in turns originates from the Latin word Candelabrum, the word chandelier was introduced to the English language in 1736
- Ceiling Rose - This is the ceiling fixture which hides the electrical connections, when choosing your ceiling rose you need to know the weight of your chandelier. Click here
- Chandelier Chain - This will connect your chandelier to the ceiling rose however some chandeliers will not require a chain as they have a fixing rod. Again if you are purchasing a chain you need to know the weight of your chandelier - remember the weight loading of the chain is more important than how pretty it is - our range of chains can be found here
- Top Canopy - This is the glass dish which may have either drops or sways suspended from it Top Canopy
- Sways or crystal chains - these are strings of crystal buttons or Murano glass chain links. Dependant on the style of chandelier as to where they are situated but can be from the top canopy to the bobeche or from arm to arm Chandelier Buttons
- Column - Chandelier Stem - this is the body of the chandelier and can be made up of several pieces or a single piece. When made up of several pieces you may come across the terms Stem Column, Stem Break, Centre Ball and Centre Stem Chandelier Stem Pieces
- Metal hollow threaded rod (allthread) this is a hollow metal rod that may run through the centre of the chandelier and is hollow to allow the electric cable to pass through it. The chandelier stem pieces are placed over the threaded rod. Threaded Rod
- Bottom Bowl - This goes on the base of the chandelier and may be gilded dependant on the chandelier design. The purpose of the bottom bowl is to contain the electrics Bottom Bowl
- Bottom Ball - This is a decorative piece i.e. crystal ball, crystal pyramid etc to finish off the chandelier Bottom Balls
- Chandelier Arm - This is the arm and dependant on the style of the chandelier as to how many you may have, your chandelier may also have chandelier crooks, the crooks are decorative. Murano chandeliers also feature flowers and leaves. The arm carries the electric cable, either internally or externally from the the centre stem to the lamp holder at the end of the arm. Chandelier Arms Scrolls and Murano Pieces
- Bobeche This is the dish that sits on the end of the chandelier arm, it is also known as a wax catcher (from when chandeliers were lit by candles), chandelier saucer and drip tray Bobeche The lamp holder will protrude from the bobeche, please see below for further details
- Candle Cup - Some chandeliers will also feature a chandelier candle cup and this sits on the bobeche with the lamp holder protruding from this Candle Cups
- Lamp Holder - This is the electrical fitting that takes the light bulb, the lamp holders can be purchased in Edison Screw or Bayonet cap types, the electrical wire runs through the chandelier arm to the lamp holder. We have a full range of lamp holders and electrical cables that can be purchased from our website Chandelier Parts and Accessories
- Candle Tube, also known as candle sleeves and candle covers These are used to cover the lamp holder and are designed to give the illusion of a candle. They are available from ourselves in Card, Plastic, Glass and Metal in a variety of finishes and in plain or drip effect - our full range are found here or with lamp holders here To understand how to measure for your candle tubes our video is here
- Bobeche may or may not have pin holes, if they have pin holes they may have buttons and drops suspended from the bobeche, the top bowl and bottom bowl as well as incorporated within the sways. These may have lots of different names, these include pendalogues, Alberts, Prisms, Pendants, Drops, Tear Drops, Bomb Drops etc, our section here details the different terminology used
- Chandelier Pins, Chandelier Rings and Chandelier Wire, these are for connecting the chandelier crystals to one another and dependant on the style of the chandelier as to which is used we have an instructive video here our full range of pins, rings wires and tools can be found here
- Light Bulbs - The type that you use will be determined by your lamp holder, Edison screw is the screw type light bulb and comes in either E14 (smaller type bulb) and E27 (the larger bulb) Bayonet Cap are the bulbs that have a small bar protruding either side and come in either B15 or B22
