Wednesday, January 19, 2011

1966 Metropolitan Opera Sconces For Sale

"A limited number of the Met’s original sconces are now available at the Met Opera Shop. These gorgeous sconces were designed by Hans Harald Rath of J. & L. Lobmeyr, Vienna, who also designed the house’s signature starburst chandeliers. Light reflects brilliantly through the hand-cut clusters of crystal – with a wink to a very special past. Nickel-Plated Brass and Faceted Crystal-Mounted Four Light Wall Sconce." According to a Gift Shop representative, prices range from $7,000-16,000 per sconce. [Source]


In celebration of The Metropolitan Opera's 125th anniversary in 2008:
(Photo: Piotr Redlinski/The New York Times) 
"The starburst chandeliers in the lobby have been synonymous with the opera house ever since the Met moved into its new home at Lincoln Center in 1966. Now, thanks to a generous donation from Swarovski, the chandeliers have been completely restored, including the installation of new crystals. In July, Johannes Rath, managing partner of J. & L. Lobmeyr in Vienna, whose grandfather Hans Harald Rath originally designed the chandeliers, traveled to New York to oversee their removal from the Met for refurbishment in Austria. Nearly 50,000 of the original hand-cut crystals, most of them made by Swarovski, have been replaced. Many of them had been lost or damaged over the past 42 years. The new Swarovski crystals are machine-cut and polished for a more brilliant and consistent look." [Source]

Don't worry, you can still buy the Sputniks as well!