Chandelier, 1900–1906, P. Vileišis Palace. Photo by Povilas Jarmala, 2017 Fragment of chandelier, 1900–1906, P. Vileišis Palace. Photo by Povilas Jarmala, 2017 Fragment of chandelier, 1900–1906, P. Vileišis Palace. Photo by Povilas Jarmala, 2017 Fragment of chandelier, 1900–1906, P. Vileišis Palace. Photo by Povilas Jarmala, 2017

P. Vileišis Palace (the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore)

The unique code in the Cultural heritage register – 29437

Address: Antakalnio str. 6, Vilnius

Time of origin: 1900–1906

Place of origin: Central Europe

Material, Technique: brass: casting, cizeling; repoussé; vanishing; gilding; glass: blowing, polishing

Dimensions: height – 130 cm, diameter – 75 cm

Petras Vileišis, engineer and prominent figure in Lithuanian society and culture, built a palace in Antakalnis in 1904–1906. In the context of that time, the construction of the ensemble was distinguished by advanced technology. The palace was supplied with electricity, and electric lighting was acquired.

One of the three surviving chandeliers hangs in the former dining room of the palace. The walls and ceilings of the room, as is typical of the period of historicism, were painted with wood imitation. Sturdy proportions of dark copper-colour chandelier with whitish hoods match the dark tones of the dining room walls.

The historical-style chandelier has the features of neo-Empire. As is typical of the hanging lighting means from the early 20th century, a rosette at the top of the chandelier has five cap-uncovered sockets for light bulbs. Five chains of repoussed interconnected beads fall downwardly. A ring with five arms — swans that spread out their wings — hangs on them. In her beaks, they hold lanterns with opaque glass caps carved with stylized palmettes patterns.

The chandelier is valuable as an integral part of the original interior. It is one of the few surviving industrial products in Lithuania from the early 20th century that preserved its original image.

Literature and sources:
  1. Klajumienė Dalia, Vilniaus gyvenamųjų namų interjerų dekoro elementai nuo klasicizmo iki moderno, Vilnius: Vilniaus dailės akademija, 2015, p. 176–177.
  2. Valtaitė-Gagač Alantė, XVII a.–XX a. 4 dešimtmečio sietynų paveldas Lietuvoje: Daktaro disertacija, Vilnius: Vilniaus dailės akademija, 2015, p. 229.
  3. Vanaginienė Žibutė, Dailės kūrinio aprašas Uk 29437, 2002, in: Kultūros paveldo centro Kilnojamųjų objektų poskyrio archyvas.