Antlers in history

Antlers sprout majestically from the heads of many species of deer. They adorn these animals with two purposes, to impress the ladies and to use in battle for that lady’s companionship. Once the battle has been raged and the lady won over, the antlers simply fall off. The following spring, new antlers will begin their rapid ascent skyward in hopes of becoming bigger and stronger than the last. For centuries the shed antlers have been gathered and used by humans for their own fanfare. Yes, they had utilitarian origins at first; spades, knives, bow handles. Eventually these pursuits fell back upon their original intent; pageantry. Necklaces, breastplates, earrings, and chandeliers have all been masterfully honed out of nature’s very own extravagance.

Centuries ago the advent of “hunting for sport” lead the way for the nobility of Europe to explore new ideas in décor. The large dark castles provided the perfect backdrop for the many trophies of the “hunt”. Antlers were intertwined into a large ring and mounted with candleholders. Chains were attached to allow for the chandelier to be raised and lowered for lighting.

More recently in the 1920’s, the builders of the “Great Camps” in the Adirondacks gave rebirth to the natural lighting of the castles of Europe. Antlers soon graced the ceilings of many of the magnificent buildings in the park.

Today antler chandeliers and products have found their way into a variety of homes and décor’s. They possess an elegance and flowing nature that lends itself to many settings.  Stop by our store or website and see for yourself how a little touch of the nature's elegance can add inspiration and renewal in your home.