Silver-Plated Chandeliers Restoration - Yale Silliman College
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Silliman College is the largest of 12 residential colleges on the Yale University's New Haven, Conn. campus. It was named after Benjamin Silliman, the "father of scientific education," who was the first professor of chemistry at Yale before becoming a renowned geologist. Opened in September of 1940, the college was designed by Otto R. Eggers, of Eggers and Higgins, an architectural firm based out of New York City.

Renovations on the campus began in 2005 and were completed in August of 2007. It was during this period that Grand Light's restoration specialists began their work for the college. Called upon for a complete restoration of six massive silver-plated chandeliers and matching sconces, the team replaced the silver plating on all of the metal components.

This meant the chandeliers and sconces would need to be completely disassembled, as each piece was worked on individually. Several of the arms were either bent or dented, requiring extensive metal reshaping. Also, dozens of intricate glass chimneys that had become damaged with age, were custom-made and replaced. The restoration was completed with the rewiring and utilization of UL listed components.

Originally, Grand Light was asked to clean and preserve the existing finish, which was thought to be brass. Once we had dissembled, repaired dented and damaged arms, and cleaned all components, we realized that the finish was in fact silver plated. It had deteriorated so badly that there was no choice but to completely remove the existing silver plate and replate each and every component. With these chandeliers, there were several of the original glass shades broken or missing so new shades were blown to match the existing shades.

Once complete and hi-pot tested, it was time for these massive chandeliers and matching wall sconces to be reinstalled in the Silliman dining hall. They were crated and wrapped in shrink wrap to assure a safe arrival.