Large Antique Former-Gas Opaline Glass Pendant Light

£950.00

A large and early opaline glass and enamel pendant light. c.1900

A rare late 19th/early 20th‑century opaline glass and enamel pendant, dating from the period when gas was still the primary means of illumination. Likely used on a railway platform or similar public space, it features a substantial green vitreous enamel gallery retaining its original gas components and chains - now sensitively converted for modern electric use. The bulbous opaline glass shade is heavy, mouth‑blown and hand‑rolled, giving it a beautifully diffused glow and a strong, sculptural presence.

A scarce survivor and a real statement piece of lighting.

Worldwide shipping available, get in touch for a quote.

A large and early opaline glass and enamel pendant light. c.1900

A rare late 19th/early 20th‑century opaline glass and enamel pendant, dating from the period when gas was still the primary means of illumination. Likely used on a railway platform or similar public space, it features a substantial green vitreous enamel gallery retaining its original gas components and chains - now sensitively converted for modern electric use. The bulbous opaline glass shade is heavy, mouth‑blown and hand‑rolled, giving it a beautifully diffused glow and a strong, sculptural presence.

A scarce survivor and a real statement piece of lighting.

Worldwide shipping available, get in touch for a quote.

Opaline glass emerged in France in the early nineteenth century and quickly became prized for its soft, milky translucence. Made by adding bone ash and other minerals to white glass, it produced a gentle, diffused glow that suited both domestic and ecclesiastical lighting. By the mid‑1800s, French makers were producing opaline in a wide range of forms, from table lamps and shades to decorative vessels, often in pure white or subtle pastel tones.

Its popularity carried well into the early twentieth century, when opaline shades became a staple of European and American lighting design. In pendant lights and plafonniers, the material offered an elegant balance: bright enough to illuminate a room, yet mellow enough to avoid glare. Hand‑blown and rolled examples from the 1920s–40s remain especially sought after today, valued for their even colour, fine weight, and the calm, atmospheric light they produce.

Opaline continues to be associated with quality, craftsmanship and timeless simplicity - a material that feels at home in both period and contemporary interiors.

Dimensions
Width: 300mm
Height: 700mm
Weight: 3kg