Most of the time when you think of a chandelier it’s a shimmering crystal chandelier with prisms of light that comes to mind. Or maybe you think of ornately trimmed brass chandelier with a shiny finish, or intricately designed glass. Though these types of chandeliers were made popular in Europe a long time ago and used in early American homes, homesteads in the Old West had their own style of lighting up a room. They used wagon wheel chandeliers. Originally, there were candles or oil lamps placed on a wagon wheel suspended from the ceiling to light a large room.
Today wagon wheel chandeliers are a perfect lighting accessory for farm homes, ranch homes, rustic themed vacation homes, cabins, or any room in a home with western décor. They add unique and antique ambiance. Wagon wheels are a reminder of the past. Back to the time of cowboys, wagon trains, pioneers, and Indians. A time of exploration and discovery.
There are many styles and types available. Some are the basic wagon wheel hanging from chains with simple lights. Others are adorned with elk or deer mule antlers thus combining an antler chandelier with a wagon wheel. The lighting is displayed in a few different ways. The lights can be on the topside of the wagon wheel, pointing toward the ceiling, or hanging from the underside.
Lights that sit atop the wheel can be simple plastic candle shaped lights. Or lights can mimic oil lamps with old fashion glass chimney covers. Old mason jars are also used as a light covering accent. Still, others consist of mini-lamps complete, with a lampshade, placed on the wheel.
Hanging lights are most often light bulbs encased in old fashioned lanterns, with brass or iron handles. Other options are light bulbs with more tradition glass covers. Sometimes the lights are not attached to the wood wheel at all, but are on a branching piece of metal from the bottom of the hub, similar to a ceiling fan light fixture.
You can find multi-tiered made with more than one wagon wheel. Often the top one will be a smaller wheel.
Though you can buy wheel chandeliers, they can be expensive. It is not too hard to make one yourself for a fraction of the cost. One of the most popular ways to make one is to recycle old wagon wheels. But they may be hard to find.
If you are looking for a rustic accent, a chandelier made of a wagon wheel is an excellent choice. Not only is it functional for lighting, but also very authentic.