The Many Sconces at My Farm
When decorating any space, it is always important to consider the lighting needs of a room - I love using unique and interesting lighting pieces, especially sconces, both inside and outside my home.
Sconces were among the earliest forms of lighting fixtures for both domestic and public use. A sconce is defined as any wooden or metal bracket affixed to a wall specifically designed to hold candles, lamps or other types of illumination. I have many sconces here at my Bedford, New York farm. Not long ago, I shared our process for cleaning several of my antique brass and glass sconces. Here is a look at some of the others.
Enjoy these photos.
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- These antique sconces with their decorative shell shaped bases are above the mantel in my Brown Room. Many 17th century candle sconces were often made of brass or silver.
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- The use of other materials to make sconces continued during the 18th century. This antique sconce is one of a pair in my Green Parlor. The brass sparkles so beautifully since their recent cleaning.
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- Outside the Green Parlor, I have large single sconces. A sconce may be a traditional torch, candle or gas light, or a modern electric light source affixed in the same way.
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- This piece is in my smaller dining room – its brass arm is more ornate. Carvers and gilders made sconces part of their trade and created more lavish designs as time progressed.
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- The girandole is the elaborate wall bracket that holds one or more lighting sources. It was usually embellished with carving and gilding.
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- I love these sconces flanking this doorway with their large glass hurricane lamp sheaths. These glass covers were meant to protect the lights.
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- Here is a very old sconce with a backplate and candle holder. The backplate was used for both decoration and for reflecting more light into the space.
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- I have several of these beautiful antique sconces backed by mirrors which also helped to intensify the light.
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- When electricity replaced the traditional candle sconce, many makers continued to top their pieces with specially designed, flame-shaped bulbs.
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- Sconces can be placed on both the interior and exterior walls of buildings. These sconces are on both sides of the courtyard entrance into my Winter House.
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- Lighting another doorway, I use these sconces with a more box-like lantern appearance.
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- Here, these wall mounted sconces are on the walls perpendicular to the door.
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- Sconces are typically installed in pairs or other multiple units to provide balance. These sconces are outside my Flower Room.
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- They can also be used to frame doorways. These sconces light the doorway into the Tenant House, where my daughter and grandchildren stay when they visit.
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- Modern fittings are more often called wall lights. Inside the Tenant House, my daughter chose these wall lights which coordinate with the ceiling fixtures.
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- Modern electric sconces are often used to provide both lighting and architectural interest. I lined several sconces along one side of my Equipment Barn.
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- When choosing the proper anchor that goes into the wall, take into consideration the weight and proportion of the sconce. This pair flanks the doorway into my Equipment Barn.
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- These sconces light the entrance to my Summer House – they are the same style as many of those around my Winter House.
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- Sconces are also very popular in rooms where they add a layer of ambient light and an appealing decorative effect. These sconces flank the fireplace in my Summer House living room.
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- Sconce height is generally three-fourths of the distance up the wall as measured from the floor to the ceiling.
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- Sconces are also constructed of sturdy fireproof steel or wrought aluminum. These more industrial sconces with metal cages are modeled after those made for freight ships. These are hung outside my main greenhouse.
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- The same style is also used around the stable buildings. They provide good, safe lighting and look very handsome against the stone exterior.
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- Sconces also hang on both sides of the giant stable doors.
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- Incredibly versatile, sconces can be used for ambient, task or accent lighting. Tell me about your home’s sconces in the comments section below.
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