Design for a Chandelier 1700 - 1800

This anonymous design for a chandelier from the 18th century, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the intricate and elegant style of the period. The drawing, executed in white chalk on black paper, features a detailed depiction of a chandelier with multiple arms, each culminating in a candle holder. Delicate chains, intricate scrolls, and teardrop-shaped pendants add to the opulence of the design. This design likely served as a blueprint for a real chandelier, highlighting the artistic and practical nature of such drawings.