Antique Early 20th Century Hand Carved Alabaster Plafonnier Light (1).jpg
Antique Early 20th Century Hand Carved Alabaster Plafonnier Light (1).jpg

Large Edwardian Alabaster Plafonnier Ceiling Light

£2,750.00

A large antique alabaster pendant with silver‑plated fittings. c.1900

A finely made early 20th‑century alabaster pendant featuring a warm, naturally veined bowl suspended from its original decorative mounts. The fittings are cast with grape‑and‑leaf detailing and retain their oxidised silver‑plated finish, now mellowed to a rich, characterful surface. The alabaster shows an old, well‑executed historic repair to one section of the rim - stable, discreet, and entirely consistent with age. The proportions are generous and well balanced, giving a soft, atmospheric glow when lit. Complete with its original chains and ceiling rose.

A highly decorative example of Edwardian alabaster lighting, combining beautiful stonework with rare surviving silvered metalwork.

Worldwide shipping available, get in touch for a quote.

A large antique alabaster pendant with silver‑plated fittings. c.1900

A finely made early 20th‑century alabaster pendant featuring a warm, naturally veined bowl suspended from its original decorative mounts. The fittings are cast with grape‑and‑leaf detailing and retain their oxidised silver‑plated finish, now mellowed to a rich, characterful surface. The alabaster shows an old, well‑executed historic repair to one section of the rim - stable, discreet, and entirely consistent with age. The proportions are generous and well balanced, giving a soft, atmospheric glow when lit. Complete with its original chains and ceiling rose.

A highly decorative example of Edwardian alabaster lighting, combining beautiful stonework with rare surviving silvered metalwork.

Worldwide shipping available, get in touch for a quote.

Alabaster found a quiet renaissance in the early 20th century, especially in plafonnier and pendant lighting, where its natural translucency became a defining aesthetic. Unlike glass, alabaster diffuses light through its mineral body, giving a soft, velvety glow with subtle clouding and veining that designers of the period prized for its atmosphere.

By the 1910s–1930s, workshops in France, Italy, and Austria were producing carved alabaster bowls for Art Deco and late‑Belle Époque interiors, often suspended on silk cords or fine chains. The material’s ability to be turned, lathe‑shaped, and hand‑carved made it ideal for shallow dishes and domed plafonniers, and its warm tone complemented bronze, gilt metal, and patinated iron mounts.

Though fragile and sensitive to heat, alabaster became a hallmark of refined decorative lighting, bridging traditional craftsmanship with the emerging modernist taste for quiet, sculptural forms.

Dimensions
Diameter: 470mm
Height: 420mm
Weight: 8kg