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Step 1
Read about antique chandeliers by getting books from the library on the subject or by going online. Books like "Lighting America: From Colonial Rushlights to Victorian Chandeliers" can help you become informed.
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Step 2
Look in thrift shops for antique chandeliers. There you may be able to find not only an antique chandelier, but a bargain.
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Step 3
Examine the chandelier carefully. Be wary of ones that are very shiny or "slim." Antique chandeliers are often made of materials like bronze, crystal, and brass, and often have intricate carvings or designs.
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Step 4
Check whether the chandelier had originally used gas, whale oil, kerosene or even electricity. Some antique chandeliers just used candles for illumination. Look to see if the chandelier had been retrofitted to be electric.
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Step 5
Go to eBay to find antique chandeliers. There you could find real bargains; however, you cannot look at the chandeliers first-hand before buying them. Examine the photographs carefully and ask the sellers questions about the chandelier before you buy. You could also ask to have the option to send back the chandelier if you are not satisfied.
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Step 6
Attend antique auctions. Go early, before the auction begins, so you can examine the chandeliers beforehand. Compare the antique chandeliers there to the ones you have seen in your research. If you aren't comfortable you can recognize an authentic antique chandelier, bring someone who can with you.
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Step 7
Go to lawn sales. You might be able to buy an antique chandelier at a rock bottom price.
