A Very Long Engagement: the restoration of the largest chandelier we've ever seen

Posted on January 14, 2018 | 2 Comments

If you follow us on the social medias, you may have already seen some photos of the subject of this blog post. Brandy, our lighting department manager, recently finished a most massive restoration of impressive proportions: this huge Maria Theresa chandelier.

Measuring about 5 feet across, this fixture was originally made c. 1900. This beauty was finally lit last for the first time in over half a century—25 lights in total! The fixture sold recently but we wanted to commemorate this 8 year journey to restore one of the most regal light fixtures we've seen.

We sat down with Brandy for a little Q & A. Lucky for us, Brandy had photographed most of the process.

Hippo: What year did you start collecting pieces?

Brandy: 2009 (same year I bought champagne for it!)

H: The champagne?

B: Yes, the champagne to toast to its completion!

H: What was the first piece you collected?

B: It came in pieces, not complete. Mostly arms

H: Where did you find the pieces at?

B: They came in through Hippo

H: What parts did have to build/collect?

B: I fabricated all the center clusters, collected all the crystals and dishes (bobeches), re-welded the arms, pieced the whole thing together as I went. I hand-wired every crystal, put pins in rosette and every bobeche then curl them in a very specific style. Plus, re-wire the wiring—tied in correctly to code/UL certified.

I’ve done many smaller ones, so I had a good feel for what it should look like.

(This picture shows the up close detail of the individual wiring of each rosette. Notice the wire curls at the end of each one.)

H: it seems a lot like it you were putting skeleton bones together.

B: Yes, it’s exactly like that. There was no specific way it was intended to be. I had to design the overall appearance.

H: Did you know it would be this huge?

B: I knew it would be at least a 6-arm fixture, at least 4-5 feet across.

H: how many hours do you think it took you in total?

B: At least 15 hours/arm (min of 120 hours just on the arms), and I can’t even count with all the wiring, welding, repainting of the interior, etc.

(Each crystal is hand-wired. This is just a few inches worth!)

It was a bit like doing one of the world’s largest 2-sided puzzles, a great challenge, frustrating but fun. I had it laid out on the floor as I was piecing it together since each piece has a specific side and spot it had to go to.

Thanks for your time Brandy! We just have one final question:

H: Have you opened the bottle of champagne yet?

B: Nope, I will open it as soon as that chandelier walks out that door.

(We do have a customer who has purchased this lovely piece so that champagne toast will be happening soon!)

We can’t wait to celebrate and witness that last step in 8-year long project.

Congratulations, Brandy!

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2 Responses

Cece Lawrence

March 23, 2020

Hello there, I’ve been searching the internet for one side two-piece arm as you have shown in the above information and came across your lovely work of art. Do you perhaps have any arm pieces left or maybe you know where I can acquire a half of one? I am at a complete loss but am desperate to find the piece. Thank you for any input you may have…
Sincerely,
Cece

andy

May 04, 2018

As amazing as that fixture is, I’m as amazed you were able to get that many words out of Brandy!
Love you guys.

About Us

Hippo Hardware is an eclectic building salvage store specializing in hardware, lighting, architecture and plumbing from 1860-1960. We offer assorted collectibles, trinkets, whatnots, and whoziwhatsits depending on what we get in. The spirit of Hippo Hardware is to rejoice in the individual, the unique, and the original.

Hippo Hardware was officially established in 1976 after the founders Steven Miller and Stephen Oppenheim decided to turn a life of swashbuckling adventures into a second life of swashbuckling adventures. We live in the local, even for our customers far away. That means you will probably hear a story about burying a Porsche in a state park while you are asking about a faucet or meet Fred the shop dog while you're paying for a light fixture. We strongly support community projects, teachers, artists, adventurers, dreamers, and one-man-bands.

If you're looking for a hard to find hardware pattern or can't find the match to your lamp shade, we'd be happy to tell you if we have it, seen it, or know where you could get it.

To make sure you get what you need, we offer the following services:

Lighting and Lamp Repair - We have a fully UL certified lighting repair shop. We can repair and rewire most vintage or antique fixtures. You may want to call or e-mail if it's newer, but we can sometimes fix those too. Shop prices are $80/hour plus parts.

Customizing - We do our best to make sure it looks just right. Our lighting shop can customize length, finishes, plating, and configuration. Our plumbing department will coordinate refinishing with local companies. The hardware department is able to darken, refinish, clean, and rebuild. Our services can vary depending on staff so please contact us with your project details.

Returns - Accepted for any reason within 2 weeks of purchase. That means if it doesn't fit, if your sweetheart doesn't like it, if it doesn't match your paint scheme. Receipt required. Returned to you the way you paid and items MUST be in original packaging and condition. Defective or damaged items will not be eligible for a refund.
If your items were shipped: Shipping refunded only in the case of defective items. Hippo does not refund original OR return shipping cost.
Online shopping - Conveniently browse our online section of items! Please note: our online section is much smaller than our store selection, we do offer returns for online purchases but do not refund original shipping or provide return shipping. We ship on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Trade in - Bring in what you have and we will offer you in store credit or cash. Email pictures first if you'd like to talk about it before you get here.
Mortise lock repair - Hippo is the only hardware store in Portland that offers full mortise lock repair--including French Door mortises and closet mortises! Our repair shop can diagnose and repair your mortise lock or perhaps we have a replacement if a repair is not an option. Shop prices are $80/hour. Please call our store and ask for Colin to speak about your repair!

Hippo Hardware has three glorious floors and 30,000 sq feet of building salvage to explore. Our inventory, and staff, is divided into four departments: Hardware, Lighting, Plumbing, and Architecture. We do our best to highlight our inventory full of unique items and reproductions on our website, but most of our stock is not online yet. Please contact us if you're looking for something you don't see here.

We donate to: NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Portland Women's Crisis Line, Benson High School, Sunnyside Environmental School, Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show, SE Works, Vision Northwest, Multnomah Playschool, Union Gospel Mission, Community House, The Friendly House, Marylhurst Childhood Center, Portland Lions Club, Sabin Elementary School, Oya No Kai supporting the Japanese Magnet Program, Lee Owen Stone Preschool, Public Interest Law Project, Jefferson High School for the Performing Arts Theater Department, imago Theater, Reynolds High School, David Douglas High School, and Milagro Theater.