Beschreibung:

Austrian, ca 1920s. An Art Deco chandelier with a silvered metal sun mount surrounded by crystal glass rays; dia. 37 in. This chandelier was originally installed in the home of Rudolph Henry Wurlitzer (1873-1948) at 2147 Madison Road in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. According to descendants of the Wurlitzer family, this chandelier and its mate, featuring a moon, were imported from Austria in the 1920s and installed together in the home's music room. The second chandelier was damaged and did not survive, but this one was removed from the home before being sold in 1957. The home was later demolished, but the chandelier descended in the family. Rudolph Henry Wurlitzer is the second eldest son of Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831-1914), a German immigrant who settled in Cincinnati, Ohio and in 1853 founded what would eventually become known worldwide as The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, specializing in musical instruments. The company initially imported musical instruments, but in 1880 they began to manufacture pianos and quickly expanded to produce organs, orchestrions, nickelodeons, and coin operated machines, and also opened retail stores. As the company expanded its range of products, the manufacturing eventually moved to North Tonawanda, New York, but the company headquarters remained in Cincinnati until 1941. The younger Rudolph took an interest in music and studied violin in Berlin before returning home to join the family business. He became the President of the company (1927-1932), and chairman (1932-1942), and established the Wurlitzer Collection of Rare Violins. Provenance: Descended in the Rudolph Henry Wurlitzer Family to his daughter, Natalie Wurlitzer Griess, and grandaughter, Natalie Richards Griess Deupree. Condition: Includes seven additional glass rays.