Chandelier with Loetz lampshades E. Bakalowits Söhne ca. 1902

This elaborately executed “Penden” chandelier was designed for the renowned Viennese glass retailer E. Bakalowits Söhne and fitted with lampshades produced by glassworks Johann Loetz Witwe. Typical of the pendant ceiling light, popular around 1900, is the design which allows for considerable flexibility: the number and arrangement of the light sources, as well as the decorative components, could be individually configured. The large circular ceiling plate, crafted from brass and finished with a fine hammered pattern, supports six textile-covered cords, each terminating in a lampshade and further accented by amber-colored glass beads. A central decorative cord, likewise adorned with glass spheres, completes the ensemble in balanced harmony
The lampshades, made by Loetz, display a still unidentified decor belonging to the so-called Phenomen Genre. On a base of rose-colored glass, a threadlike, blue-green iridescent overlay winds across the surface, creating a dynamic, shimmering effect when illuminated.
This chandelier exemplifies the fruitful collaboration between two leading Austrian manufacturers at the turn of the century and reflects the exceptional craftsmanship and refined aesthetic of the Viennese Jugendstil.