Antique of the Week: Vintage English Chandelier

As everyone in Kensington knows, Antique Row is one of the community’s points of pride. Howard Avenue and its side streets are lined with shops specializing in antique furniture, rugs, vintage toys, used books and more. This large presence in the community sparked our feature, Antique of the Week, where we will showcase a different item or curiosity each week to bring attention to pieces from the past.

This week, we’re featuring a vintage crystal English chandelier at . Milton Escobar, the owner, predominantly repairs and restores chandeliers. He said this particular chandelier is made of crystal. 

During the Medieval era, chandeliers were made of wood and hung at the wealthiest homes. By the 1700s, chandeliers became composed of crystal, thereby transforming into a work of art as well as a status symbol. By the 1800s, gas-lit chandeliers began to replace candle chandeliers.

Milton said that this chandelier is from the 1880s, and it has never been electrified. It still needs candles.

You can purchase it for $6,000 at Milton Chandelier. His atelier is located at the top of the hill behind Acanthus Antiques. The address is 4130-B Howard Avenue. He can be reached at 301-530-3388. He also provides on-site cleaning of chandeliers.