Ostankino palace theatre had a complex theatre illumination machine.
The illumination came from a large chandelier that hung over the
audience, offset from the stage. When the theatrical performance was
to commence, the chandelier was raised. A cable attached to chandelier
was manually wound around a winder located in the belvedere until the
chandelier was fully raised. Then a hatch opened, and a large copper
"bason" (an archaic word that originated from the word "basin") emerged
from the belvedere and positioned itself precisely. This bason was a
reflector that reflected the light of the 20-candles on the chandelier
towards the offset stage, not only towards the stage, but downwards.
1
Thus the chandelier and bason acted as a "spotlight"! The copper bason
was always polished to provide maximum illumination. It might be best to
describe this machine as a primitive "spotlight" because there is no
information to describe the reflector as being "parabolic" (illuminates
an area using parallel beams) or "elliptical" (beams directed to a focal
point of the ellipse). Furthermore, no "lens" was used to help in focusing.
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.
Click to see.
2, 3
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.
Click to see.
4
1
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide (Guidebook)",
Raduga Publishers, 1985, p. 96
.
2
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide (Guidebook)",
Raduga Publishers, 1985
.
3
Efremova, Irina and Petukhova, Irina; "Osvetitelnye pribory. Kollektsiya
Muzeya-usadby Ostankino" (podarochnoe izdanie), {"Lighting Museum
Collection Ostankino Estate"}, 2005
.
4
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide (Guidebook)",
Raduga Publishers, 1985, pp. 66, 67, 115
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