Controlled illumination of the stage was a major objective. Use of "girandoles"
(illuminating earrings) has been discussed ("clothing"). However, the etymology
of the word "girandole" is: "Revolving or gyrating jets of light" or something
to that effect. In fact, girandoles had a second meaning: chandeliers or lighting
devices using rock crystals, vibrating due to warm air currents (from candles).
Thus table lamps, standing floor lamps, and wall sconces (often with basons and
candles) were also considered to be "girandoles". Furthermore, sometimes
the rock crystals were colored: violet, red, turquoise, yellow, dark blue.
Sometimes the rock crystals were made from amethyst.
1, 2
Additional illumination was provided by several floor lamps. These floor
lamps were carved by master serfs, and each had seventeen candles, but did not
have crystals, instead these lamps were gilded in bright, reflective gold.
3
1
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide (Guidebook)",
Raduga Publishers, 1985
.
2
Efremova, Irina and Petukhova, Irina; "Osvetitelnye pribory. Kollektsiya
Muzeya-usadby Ostankino" (podarochnoe izdanie), {"Lighting Museum
Collection Ostankino Estate"}, 2005
.
3
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide (Guidebook)",
Raduga Publishers, 1985, pp. 66, 67, 115
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