This magnificent chandelier originates from France and was commissioned around 1839 by the von Fischer and von Wattenwyl families – then the owners of the Morillon Villa – from the renowned bronze manufacturer Denière in Paris.

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At that time, electroplating had not yet been developed. All bronze components were therefore fire-gilded – a complex and hazardous process in which a gold amalgam layer was applied under heat. This technique is still responsible today for the characteristic warm glow and exceptional durability of the surface.

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The restoration of the chandelier proved correspondingly demanding: weighing around 100 kilograms, it had to be carefully dismantled on site. Numerous finely crafted bronze elements, screw connections and glass components required delicate handling in order to preserve the original condition.

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Today, the chandelier once again shines in its original splendour, bearing witness to the outstanding craftsmanship of French bronze makers and the refined culture of interior representation in the 19th century.

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