Enhance The Interior Of Your Home With Colonial Sconces

Colonial sconces are beautiful candleholders to add to the glitz of your home. Here we are discussing what they are, and where they are available. Also we trace its development through the years, and how they can add to the aesthetics of your home.
Colonial sconces are candleholders of the colonial times, which came with ornamental brackets, and were fixed to the walls. These wall mounted fixtures, also known as wall sconces, come in a number of styles, to suit the décor of your home.

The wall sconces probably originated during the cave men days, when a bowl of stone filled with animal fat and dried reeds, placed on a rock outcropping, lit the cave.

From those crude beginnings in the ancient caves, sconces transformed into oil lamps, and then to candles. Oil lamps and candles, placed on the tables and desks, would probably cause accidents.

These were placed out of harm’s way by mounting them onto the walls with the help of brackets. Another advantage of having candles and lamps fixed to the walls was that they could spread light over a larger expanse, than when they were placed on the tables.

The Metamorphoses Of Colonial Sconces

During the initial days of the wall sconces, the candles placed in brackets high on the walls probably blackened the walls with the flames. This probably led to the development of brackets that were taller than the candles placed in them, to save the walls from being blackened.

A shiny bracket behind the candle reflecting more light, led to wall sconces with mirror brackets.

As times progressed, the brackets of the colonial sconces became more and more elaborate, with intricate and beautiful designs. With the spread of British and French colonialism, the wall sconces too became popular in their colonies.

The sconces from the colonial times were only wall brackets to hold candles, and with progress came sconces which were gas lit, and now you can see wonderful sconces, based on the colonial designs and styles with electrical lights.

Typical wrought iron outdoor sconce

Adding A Colonial Aura

You can add to the aesthetics of your home’s interior by installing sconces reminiscent of the colonial times. Many sconces available from those days are works of art, and you will be making your own style statement, when you install them.

These will make a beautiful backdrop if you decorate a room on the colonial theme. Many sconces are made of metals that are highly polished and need to be polished regularly to keep them in their pristine condition. There are others that can be painted to match with the decoration of your room, or painted in contrast with the décor.

The sconces from the 18th and the 19th centuries were hand made from tin, and were typically found in the rural areas, or in the colonies. Later brass sconces, and sconces made from other materials were also made.

Tall sconces with brackets as high as 13 inches to 18 inches can still be seen with drip candle sleeves to collect the wax drippings. The early scones, with their primitive or intricate designs are not easy to date. Over the years, many styles and forms have evolved that were purely the creation from the imagination of their makers.

Wall sconces are unique items of decoration, providing both, aesthetics, as well as lighting. They are always installed in pairs to offer balance. With their many varieties and sizes, it is important that the correct style and size is selected for satisfying the sense of symmetry.

Electric colonial sconce (symmetric)

Today, in the times of electrical and electronic sophistication, people are increasingly redecorating their homes with old world charm. Despite the fact that many people look to install sconces designed in the style of the colonial times with electrical lights, quite a few do try to locate and install the original colonial sconces with elaborately decorative brackets for candles. Such sconces of the times of gas lights are equally popular.

There are many sconces based on the intricate styles of the colonial era, with ‘electrical’ candles, and electrical lights that are gaslight look-alikes. Most wall sconces made today, though on the style of the colonial times, have incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

Sconces with halogen bulbs are also sought after. These can easily be bought from your neighborhood home stores or from stores that specialize in home décors. Another popular place to locate these faux colonial relics are the many online stores. Their variety is inexhaustible, and you can locate and purchase the sconces of your choice.

Wall sconces are located high on the walls, about 6 feet to 8 feet above the floor, depending on the height of the ceiling. These look great when installed in hallways, in corridors, in your studies, and in the dining room. You can find many wall sconces in a variety of styles and designs in many museums, galleries, hotels and restaurants, among other public places.

The wall sconces placed aesthetically in your living room lends an aura of warmth, and adds to the whole ambience. Depending on the texture of the walls, the wall sconces can add to the special effects of the lighting.

It is time that you made your own style statement with colonial sconces.