Eastlake Lighting 1876 - 1890

April 21, 2024

The Aesthetic movement was one of the most progressive and innovative styles of the 1800s and changed the way we view design, manufacturing and art. For the purpose of this blog post we will be focused on lighting and more specifically the Eastlake movement.

The movement was named after English Architect Sir Charles Locke Eastlake who's seminal book Hints on Household Taste in Furniture was published in English but gained massive popularity in America. The 1876 Centennial Exhibition displayed Eastlake's ethos and showcased his emphasis on simplified designs and geometric patterns which was a departure from the heavy Baroque, Gothic and Rococo designs that preceded it in the 1850s and 60s. Combined with a growing industrialized country emerging from a civil war, Eastlake's influence couldn't have come at a better time. The style was heavily adopted on the American west coast with the pinnacle being the San Francisco bay area.

With regards to lighting, the use of tubular and decorative cast brass was adopted due to it's strength, versatility and ability to create a range of custom castings and colourful finishes that were not found on earlier white metal lighting. New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Merdien Connecticut were homes to notable manufacturers such as Mitchell Vance, McKenny and Co. Thackera and Sons, Cornelius and Sons, Oxley Enos and Giddings and Bradley and Hubbard. The use of brass and bronze tubing allowed designers to make fantastical shapes and the burgeoning interest in Japanese, Asian and Middle Eastern design influences created an endless supply of exotic looking lights. Glassware evolved into deep scenic etched shades featuring samurai's, sparrows, sea serpents and other worldly creatures. The use of multi coloured decorative jewels on chandeliers and lanterns created a kaleidoscope of colour and light. Lastly the use of french and Japanese porcelain with elaborate cloisonne or hand painted designs was integral in creating a rich and exotic aesthetic with global design influences. Some may argue that not only was this the precursor to Art Deco but also the worlds first global design movement.

The 1880s were the apex of the Eastlake Aesthetic movement and they were the first lights to be offered as electric or combination gas electric fixtures. The 1890s ushered in a more conservative Neo Classical movement which although beautiful in itself, was not as inventive or adventurous as the Eastlake movement. Eastlake fixtures are still heavily desired to this day as there is just something special and emotional about them. They can adapt to almost any interior and are sought out by collectors to this day.

Below are some examples of the many Eastlake fixtures we have had over the years.

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