This is a Venetian Iron lantern style ceiling light fixture made circa 1902, possibly for R. Williamson. Similar, although not identical fixtures are shown in their 1902 catalog. It has the original multi-colored glass panels in red and amber. One glass panel is hinged with an elaborate turnkey to allow access to the interior. We have added a new black ceiling canopy. Venetian Iron items were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. The metal work was used on a variety of household items including plant stands, lighting fixtures and candelabrum, fireplace screens and grates. The frames were sold to hobbyists through catalogs, and the skill was taught to children in classrooms. From a catalog of the A.J. Weed Co. circa 1893:

"UP to the close of the last century, in Italy, as in no other country, had the art of working in iron attained such a high degree of beauty and perfection ; and especially in the rival cities of Florence and Venice; where the liberal and powerful influence of the reigning ducal families fostered with its patronage the trades and arts. We see to-day, in Venice more particularly, evidences of such marvelous skill and cunning of the iron-smith, that the origin of the name, Venetian Iron Work, is apparent. For a long, long time the art was a mystery, impenetrable as to methods; for each guild of iron workers guarded its secrets with exceeding jealousy, transmitting only from father to son, through generations, the recondite treasures of accumulated skill and experience.

With the growth of the present century, however, has come diffusion of knowledge in all the arts, trades and sciences. Today, with our liberal ideas of education and enlightenment such concealment of the Cause of the Beautiful, as practiced by the artificers of olden times, is no longer possible. In the present time we have not only the patron of art ; we have liberal endowers of colleges and universities ; we have noble and philanthropic men who are founding every year trade schools and institutes; and we have a keen commercial spirit, which recognizes that the spreading abroad, far and wide, of the merits and beauty of a Good 1 Thing, is more to be desired, from all points of view, than the hiding of a light under a bushel.

The Venetian iron-smith, while perpetuating his trade in secret, has failed to give to the world much that is beautiful in his art, and just because of this selfsame secrecy ; for to-day we profit by the ideas and inventions of many minds, all centred on the same point. The beneficent workings of our modern patent laws do not permit of concealments for a longer time than a specified period long enough to enable the inventor to reap the reward of his thoughtful intelligence, and of very short duration as compared with the centuries through which the old-time guilds of master workmen kept theirj secrets from the world."

These fixtures are ideal for use in commercial or residential spaces to add a distinctive vintage element to your renovation. This fixture is rewired with UL listed parts and is ready to install.