Antler Chandelier: Not Just For The Rustic Decor
Antler Chandelier
The antler chandelier has traditionally been used as the crown jewel of rustic decor. Often accompanying antler furniture in the rustic cabin or lodge, they are as popular as ever and can found in high end boutiques, hotels, restaurants and resorts all over the world.
This site has been created to provide information on the history, design, construction, and use of these magnificent examples of natures own art. Read on to find out more...
Antler, horn and bone tools have been used throughout history. The materials were a natural byproduct of the animals that were hunted for food, and were used to create tools, weapons, and for adornment and ceremonial purposes. One of the earliest recorded uses of antler is in ancient Chinese Traditional Medicine. They were ground up to be used in tonics to treat various ailments.
During the Roman period, antlers were used for decorative as well as practical purposes, such as loop fasteners. Antlers were also given to returning legionaries as rewards in the form of trophies for participation in successful campaigns.
During the Medieval period, buttons and beads appeared in Europe. Then, along with the use of candles, there came a need for candle holders and antlers were used for that purpose as well. Before long, hand held candle holders lead to hanging candelabras that the modern antler chandelier is based upon. They adorned many castles throughout countries including Germany, England and Scotland.
From the Early Iron Age well into the Middle Ages some of the objects made from antler include needles, buckles, fasteners, and combs. The ones still existing today date mainly from the 9th to the 11th century, and were found in many Viking settlements.
Native Americans used antlers to create weapons and tools in the form of handles for knives and spear points and hide scrapers. Items of adornment such as bracelets, hairpins,combs, and figurines were common.
Today's antler chandelier is as popular as ever. Their timeless beauty transcends styles and trends, and touch many who view them as a romantic link to mankind's historical dependence on the animals that sustained our ancestors. Try finding that amongst the offerings at your local Walmart.
Antlers are the horn-like appendages of most deer species, mainly grown by males. Each antler grows from a point of attachment on the skull. While an antler is growing it is covered with a thin layer of material called velvet, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone. Once the antler has achieved its full size, it's velvet is lost and the antler's bone hardens as it dies. This dead bone structure is the mature antler. Antlers are shed after each mating season.
Conversations regarding the difference between antlers and horns come up often, and there is a certain amount of confusion between the two. Antlers are often called horns, but horns are not antlers. Horns are actually similar to a hard shell, and are hair molds similar to dreadlocks. They are not shed yearly and remain with the animal for it's lifetime. Cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, and antelope are examples of animals which produce horns rather than antlers.
Antlers are naturally shed each year with no harm coming to the animal. Deer, elk, moose, and caribou are examples of animals that produce antlers rather than horns.Each species have a unique shape and size. The antlers are solidly dense, not hollow, and very tough. Their color variations are dependent on geographic location and the length of time the antler has been out in the weather since it was shed.
While there are operations that farm antler producing animals and collect the sheds for sale, many are also picked up in the animals natural habitat. Each year in the late winter after the antlers are shed, hikers and sportsmen search for these antlers. They are often collected simply for their rugged beauty or as examples of what size of animals the area is producing. These can be sold to collectors or buyers, and can then end up at large antler auctions.
Much of the material used in antler chandelier artwork today is sourced in this manner. It is also possible to have a set of antlers you already own used to construct a truly personal masterpiece, with the artist adding additional racks if necessary. Another option is to use reproduction antlers that are cast to look amazingly like the real thing.
Many antler chandelier artists use a lot of Mule deer antlers for their basic designs. They are common throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Collectors are able to get many different popular sizes ranging from 30 inches to 40 inches across the base. These large forked antlers are extremely popular with those who truly appreciate what a magnificent animal it takes to produce them. From that foundation, artists can add on more Mule deer or mix and match other types of antlers. Mule deer antlers can average several pounds each.
Whitetail deer are common throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They are a typically smaller racks than those produced by Mule deer,with curly (some say basket shaped)antlers, and have points extending out and in the same direction on each antler. These finer, graceful antlers can be used to fill in and around the lights, and are also used extensively on their own. Their size and shape are well suited for smaller pieces, and can be used to create a base often in the 20 to 24 inch size.
Reindeer and Caribou antlers share the same general shape, but Reindeer can be extremely delicate and are not as readily available.Caribou antlers, which are generally three or more feet in length, also far outsize the smaller Reindeer.Caribou antlers are for this reason better suited to the creation of larger works.
Elk antlers, being very large and heavy, are also well structured for use in a large, dramatic artworks..They can weigh over 10 pounds each and measure three to four feet long. Moose are also an antler of great bulk and size. Some artists use European fallow antlers, which have a similar shape to moose but are much smaller with very fine, graceful edges.
With the variety of antlers that come in all sizes, shapes and colors, today's antler chandelier artists have the tools to create the ultimate in rustic decor for your cabin, log home or lodge.
While there are many antler chandelier artists to choose from when considering an addition to your rustic decor collection, it is worth noting that there are equally as many levels of artistic creativity and technical expertise. Due diligence in checking references before ordering is a great start, and an actual physical inspection of the finished product is recommended to avoid disappointment.
The following "Do it yourself" instructions are available for those wishing to create a little of their own rustic cabin decor.
1) Purchase a light wiring harness kit from a hardware or lighting store. Find one that is specifically for chandeliers and contains as many light bulb sockets as you need.
2) Find or purchase antlers. Choose antlers that are about the same size. The shapes are all quite different, so pick ones that should work well together.
3) Clean up the antlers with soap for the best results. Drill a hole through the tip of the antler point where you want it hold the light bulb.
4) Paint the antlers with polyurethane to ensure maximum durability. Use a low sheen polyurethane, and be sure to allow the antlers to dry thoroughly between coats.
5) To connect the antlers together at their bases, drill some holes through the sides of the antlers and run a piece of wire through the holes to create a circle of antlers! Tighten the wires and solder them together. Attach with screws, but only if necessary.
6) Run the electrical wiring harness through the antlers and out the tips. Connect the antler chandelier to the wiring in the ceiling. Secure the chandelier to the ceiling using some screws and anchors.
7) Enjoy the level of satisfaction that can only be felt by those who choose to create their own bit of rustic decor!
While there are no doubt some truly inspiring examples of extreme rustic cabin decor created using a template similar to the Red/Green approach listed above, this has been presented as a purely tongue in cheek list of "What not to do yourself" In the interest of self preservation and to avoid a potential health or safety hazard, please, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
While a set of antlers on the wall or reworked into an interesting item can be rewarding in many ways, and perhaps bring back memories of a wonderful personal experience, the modern antler chandelier is one that must be both artistically pleasing and safe. Some antler artists offer customers the option of providing their own antlers.This can be a good cost effective way to make your antler lighting or furniture not only unique, but also personal to you.
When considering the purchase of antler and horn art or furniture, the difference is in the details. Not so little things like hiding the hardware, and using an attractive light socket cover made from real antler that conceals the fixture of the light right up to the bulb. Make sure that the artisan uses enough antlers in the base to avoid the chandelier appearing sparse when viewed from below.
When buying antler lighting, always make sure that the whole fixture, and not just the components, are CSA and UL approved and certified to comply with manufacturing codes and regulations in the USA, Canada and Europe.
When it comes to selecting a piece of antler art to compliment your rustic decor, there are a few things to consider that can help with the final selection. If you are looking for a piece that will add a bit of character to your cabin decor, choosing something appropriately sized to to fit the overall look and feel of the room is a good place to begin.
If the room you are decorating is larger than that found in the typical cabin, you can add some some antler furniture or an antler chandelier with more mass without overwhelming the room. Antler art that is suitable for large open spaces with vaulted ceilings, like those found when working with lodge decor, can look out of place when put into too small an area. The axiom "Less is more" can be a good guiding principle.
Another thing to consider is the type of antler used in the creation. While still quite masculine in nature, finer more graceful racks such as that found on the Whitetail may offer a look that is more appealing to some than those of the Elk, Caribou, and Moose. This might also work better for use where the area you are working with is small, or has some feminine touches that you are trying to work with rather than against.
The overall feel of the room can invite a work of antler art, especially where the color is concerned. Earth tones, light browns, and a bit of black seem to blend the best with antler art. Trying to fit a treasured piece into a color scheme that does not compliment it can be very frustrating, and may be a deal breaker when attempting to reach a compromise with someone who is less enamoured with the look.
For many who view antler art with a certain reverence for what it represents, it can come as somewhat surprising and disappointing when the idea is greeted with less than enthusiastic support by an important member of the decorating team. This can occur with any project relating to rustic decor, but seems to be more pronounced and vociferously communicated when dealing with a significant other in a domestic decorating scenario.
These types of situations often require a delicate,reasoned approach to ensure a suitably acceptable outcome. Often the best course of action is to set emotions aside and deal strictly with the facts.
While it is true that antler art is often associated with the rustic decor of cabins and lodges, the antler chandelier and antler furniture can be found in many upscale establishments, from The Bay Center in Vancouver, Canada to the Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY., from Virgilius Resort, Northern Italy to the King's Palace in United Emirates. They have been featured on Oprah, and also grace Dolce & Gabana,Polo Ralph Lauren,Tommy Hilfiger Stores,Revolution Pubs (upscale chain in London, England) to name just a few.