A ten light cut-glass chandelier late 19th century, attributed to F. & C. Osler

with a slender baluster stem, hung with festoons of drops and lustres

Very good overall condition. General characteristic very minor chips to some drops. Drip pans drilled for electricity wiring. One pear-shaped drop to swags beneath corona with old repaired break. It is possible that some drops have been replaced, as is always the case but everything appears very consistent. Lovely size and proportions.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Established in Broad Street, Birmingham, in 1807 by Thomas Osler and William Shakespeare, the business specialised initially in selling drops and spangles for chandeliers.  They were joined by Thomas`s son Abraham Follett Osler in 1831, who brought re-newed vigour to the business. Although initially they were severely hampered by the high duties payable on glass in England, fortunately in 1845 the duties were repealed owing to pressure from the trade and the firm opened showrooms at 44 Oxford Street, London. By this time Follett had begun making innovative designs and had successfully encouraged his brother to join the firm. He expanded his business into Calcutta sharing showrooms with the silversmiths and jewellers Hamilton and Co. When Ibraham Pacha the ruler of Egypt commissioned four enormous candelabra from Osler for the tomb of the prophet Mahomet at Mecca, the company took the opportunity to display them in their London showroom attracting the attention of such important visitors as Prince Albert, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel. By the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851 their reputation was sufficient to secure them a space at the centre of the transept of the great Crystal Palace in which to display their breathtaking and ambitious twenty foot high crystal fountain. A few years later the Art Journal noted, `No other producer attempts to compete with them in large pieces; in these they stand alone and have done so for upwards of a quarter of a century. But they do not rest their fame soley on the purity of their glass: they obtain the aid of a high order, and their designs are invariably of great excellence.'

The present chandelier can be attributed to Osler on the grounds of its fine quality but also on the stylistic grounds of the shape of the drops on the chains which is of a style unique to Osler. For comparison see a chandelier of similar form, the armature of which is stamped `F and C Osler' is illustrated in Martin Mortimer, The English Glass Chandelier, 2000, p.158, pl.97.