New Acquisition Alert: Batchelder Chandelier

Ernest Allan Batchelder (1875-1957) was an American designer, craftsman and educator who resided in California and is primarily known for his tile work. Currently on display at MAACM, we have a large collection of his tiles featuring designs inspired by Medieval themes with flowers, vines and trees, Mayan patterns, geometric shapes and one of his favorite subjects, peacocks. On display in our newly opened exhibition These Humbler Metals, is a stunning chandelier designed by Ernest Batchelder for his own home.

In the early 20th century, Batchelder designed and built the Batchelder House, a bungalow overlooking Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco. The Arroyo Seco would quickly become an important regional cultural hub for the Arts and Crafts movement in Southern California, where Batchelder started the School of Design and Handicraft. One of the faculty members of his handicraft school, Douglas Donaldson (1882-1972), studied with Batchelder and was an accomplished metalworker. Around 1910, Batchelder designed this chandelier and all the lighting fixtures in his home and Donaldson crafted them.

This stunning piece is made with patinatedcopper, decorated with peacocks and pomegranates on the side panels and floral medallions around the top of the hood. The bright blue glass, set against the brown patinated copper creates a striking contrast making the detailed metal cutout pop. The delicate flower details around the top of the chandelier allow light to penetrate from the top of the hood as well, creating a design that illuminates from all angles. On your next visit to MAACM, make sure you stop by These Humblers Metals on the third floor to admire this and other metalwork masterpieces.