I received a call from a friend who reads this blog with a question about a picture. I took the following picture last year during Southern Summers. The response was so great that I'm going to find myself teetering from a very tall ladder again this year!
There are a few reasons why folks covered chandeliers in the summertime. The first is simple, the fixture wasn't used. Chandeliers used candles (gasoliers used gas)...they created unwanted heat in the house.
The second is to keep the fixture clean while the windows were open. Remember, there was no air conditioning! Many streets, at least here in Memphis, were compacted dirt and clay during this time. The dry dusty whirlwind would float right into the house through the unscreened windows. Other furnishings like fine silk sofas, chairs, and settees were also covered for protection during the summer.
Thirdly, and probably a more offensively, was to keep the flies away. Most of these grand chandeliers were crystal or cut glass. The prisms would sparkle and shine in the daylight hours. To flies and water bugs, the shimmering reflection looks like water...drawing them in search of an afternoon drink! The insects would land on any "water-like" surface and secrete acids. This acid eats through crystal prisms, glass, and mirrored or reflective surfaces. Leaving behind what we call "water spots". In addition to chandeliers, most mirrors, glass, crystal, and silver were covered with net for protection from these pests.
And, even today some "Old Southerners" still cover up heirloom chandeliers...as a nod of respect and tradition. A friend of mine in New Orleans does this from early spring until autumn, making for some interesting dinner conversation with friends.
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