New Metal Crafts is proud to announce the release of our new Lighting for Religious Institutions portfolio. The portfolio features past restoration projects and samples of custom designs. For your copy email address and contact information to: inquiries@newmetalcrafts.com
Many examples of exceptionally crafted exterior fixtures can be seen in the center of Chicago. This includes the fixture flanking the entrance to 105 W Madison Street. These fixtures were produced from the original architect drawing by the Burnham brother (sons of the famous city planner and Chicago architect, Daniel Burnham.) They are unusually designed fixtures made in heavy brass construction in an almond shape with compound curved glass panels. 
The fixtures are anchored at the original electrical connections, which are located at the center of a large stone rosettes, an integral part of the architectural detailing of the façade of the building. A secondary support arm attaches the lantern rigidly to the building, providing stability in brisk Chicago winds. These fixtures are exact duplicates of the original fixtures that were disposed of during a renovation years ago.
Rendering of the Blackstone Hotel
It was an exciting moment for New Metal Crafts when we were selected to participate in the restoration of Chicago’s historic Blackstone Hotel. The Hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places is stunning structure built in 1908 and is located on Michigan Avenue across from scenic Grant Park. It has seen many celebrity guests including US Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt, Harry Truman and John F Kennedy.
Restored crystal chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom
New Metal Crafts was brought into the project because our knowledge and extensive experience in the area of Lighting Restoration. The successful restoration of the Hotel was the result of a close collaboration of the owners Marriott International and Colorado based Sage Hospitality and the team they assembled including Architect Lucian Lagrange, the design firm Getty’s and the architectural lighting designers Charter Sills.
New Metal Crafts lighting designer, Paul Jurkschat was asked to evaluate the condition of hundreds of existing light fixtures and advise on the restoration of fixtures from the Hotel’s Lobby, the Grand Ballroom, Public Areas, and Lounges to the monumental exterior sconces that graced the facade. Although the Hotel had suffered from decades of neglect it was surprising to see how many of the decorative fixtures remained intact.
Monumental Exterior Lantern
Once awarded the job, New Metal Crafts carefully inventoried and transported all of the fixtures to our factory for restoration. The work, often painstaking, involved the careful disassembly and repair of all the fixtures. The metal finishes were restored to their original condition and thousand of pieces of crystal were cleaned and refitted onto the fixtures.
Plaster Lobby Sconce
The Lobby sconces were of special interest as they were fabricated of plaster. The use of plaster in decorative lighting from this period was not uncommon but it is rare that it survives intact. The sconces were restored and some missing parts were recast. The final finish was a brilliant antique applied over the plaster.
Ballroom Sconce before restoration
Ballroom Sconce after restoration
The challenging work took several months to complete but once the fixtures were finished and reinstalled in the renovated Hotel everyone involved was pleased with the stunning results. It was a great pleasure being involved in this project and knowing that we contributed to bringing a historic landmark back to its original grandeur. The results can be enjoyed by future generations visiting the Hotel.
Custom Sconce 66867 made for the architectural design firm of Gary Lee Partners.
When the architectural design firm of Gary Lee Partners needed a pair of custom sconces for a residential project on Chicago’s North Shore they brought their design to New Metal Crafts. The design was for a vertical sconce composed of a linen fabric shade with a bronze clasp at the top and the bottom. New Metal Crafts custom lighting staff submitted shop drawings and finish samples prior to producing this custom sconce. The fixture measures approximately 8″ wide and is 26″ tall. The shade is covered in an ivory linen and the interior is wired with 4 incandescent lamps. The result was a stylish sconce with clean lines that perfectly compliments the modern furnishings in the homes Living Room.
New Metal Crafts is home to one of the largest collections of Antique and Vintage Lighting with over 30,000 square feet on display and thousands of fixtures. We will be periodically featuring important works from this collection.
Antique Wedgwood Chandelier - AOC/7244
Item AOC/7244 is an antique chandelier purchased from a prominent East Coast estate and is unique in its use of sculptured Wedgwood oval cameo inserts. They occur between the arms and at the crown. Although it is not possible to determine its exact age it appears to be from the beginning of the twentieth century. The chandelier has beautiful and finely crafted cast components and an aged brass finish. It is electrified with 6 candles.
Item 816/94 is a late 19th century French chandelier with a classic composition based on the hunt theme. It features a tapered center shaft with
Hunting Horn Chandelier - NMC816/94
cobalt blue finish and a sheaf of arrows at the center. There are four hunting horn arms alternating with four ram horn like arms for a total of eight lights. The metal is cast using the lost wax process and has finely chased details in casting.
These two items are just two of many fine antique chandeliers in our vast Collection of Antique and Vintage Lighting
View of custom crystal chandelier installed in the Ballroom.
Concord Banquets an elegant banquet facility located in Kildeer, IL is host to many of the grandest wedding receptions, conferences and special events in Northern Illinois. During a recent renovation of their grand ballroom owner John Kalyviaris and designer Tom Manikas of Manikas Designs worked with New Metal Crafts to develop the design for new custom
chandeliers and wall sconces for the space.
The result of this collaboration, recently installed, are eight custom chandeliers each an impressive seven feet in diameter. The handcrafted chandeliers feature European cut crystal, hand finished faux alabaster and a beautiful platinum patina finish. Curved arms with candles and silk shades cantilever from the main ring. The sconces each six feet in height compliment the custom ballroom chandeliers and are mount to finely detailed paneling around the room.
Concorde Banquet Ballroom
The custom chandelier and sconces combined with the interior decoration will provide a classic and elegant environment for many future weddings and events.
New Metal Crafts newest sconce No 3257
The latest addition to New Metal Crafts line of fine quality reproduction lighting is our new sconce 3257. The design for this art deco inspired sconce has an interesting link to Chicago’s past. New Metal Crafts had in its antique collection a vintage crystal beaded sconce which was salvaged from a long gone Chicago restaurant.
Jacques French Restaurant was located on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It was the place to be and be seen in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The main dining room featured beautiful crystal beaded chandeliers and sconces. Sadly, Jacques did not survive but one sconce did in our vast collection of antique and vintage lighting.
New Metal Crafts newest design was based on this original fixture. The plume design is handcrafted with hundreds of faceted jewels carefully wired onto the frame. It is available in a fine Satin Nickel or Bronze finishes. We also feature in our product line smaller versions of this sconce as well as ceiling mounted fixtures featuring the same crystal beaded design. Rumor has it there is a stunning chandelier based on this very design due out this fall.
Custom lanterns designed and fabricated by New Metal Crafts
New Metal Crafts recently saw the installation of several custom designed lanterns fabricated in our factory for a new luxury hi-rise in the prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago’s lakefront. The Elysian is a 60 story new construction building designed in the Beaux Arts style by Lucian Lagrange Architects. It houses a luxury Hotel and condominiums.
New Metal Crafts worked closely with the architect and owner to develop the design for the monumental exterior lanterns. The design for the custom lanterns was inspired by a vintage lantern the owner had seen during a trip to Paris. New Metal Crafts developed the design to meet the architect’s specifications and built a full scale prototype that was viewed on site during the buildings construction.
Rendering of The Elysian designed by Lucian Lagrange Architects
The lantern made of solid brass consists of a multi faceted cage with frosted glass panels suspended from the wall by an elaborate handcrafted scroll arm. A gloss black finish was expertly applied in our factory. The graceful lanterns now light the façade and courtyard entrance to this luxury property.
A vintage rock crystal teardrop from our collection.
A Schoenbeck rock crystal trimmed chandelier.
Rock crystal, naturally occurring transparent quartz, is a marvel of nature and the result of tumultuous geological events that formed the Earth as we know it. Every piece of rock crystal is unique, with its own individual character and internal markings. It was originally used to trim early chandeliers as a means to magnify and diffuse the weak light of candles that they used for light. These crystals were polished into a smooth teardrop shape. Eventually the scarcity and cost of rock crystal brought about the use of man-made cut crystal for light fixture trimming. New Metal Crafts Lighting, Inc., in Chicago, has vintage rock crystal chandeliers is proud to be a newly authorized dealer of the Schoenbeck rock crystal line. Schoenbeck Lighting is responsible for the reintroduction the trimming of chandeliers with natural quartz crystal.
One of the Carlyle entryway chandeliers.
The Carlyle, a high rise residence building, was constructed in the mid-sixties. It is located at 1040 Lake Shore Drive, near fashionable Oak Street, the Drake Hotel, and the Magnificent Mile, and faces Lake Michigan. One of its dynamic and unexpected features is the two large New Metal Crafts custom chandeliers, which were designed for prominent Chicago designer Robert O. Burton. These brass constructed fixtures, originally in a satin nickel finish, still look sharp with their current black paint finish. The matching sconces which are mounted near the rear porte cochere, have maintained their original plated finish.
The Carlyle sconce in satin nickel.
These fixtures have withstood the extreme weather conditions typical of Chicago and Lake Michigan that they have been directly and indirectly exposed to for over 40 years. They are among some of the most unique and unusual large exterior chandeliers and sconces found in the Chicago area.
