Dome

Detail, looking up to top; The V&A Rotunda Chandelier, created in 2001, is one of a number of works from Chihuly's 'Chandelier' series begun in 1992. Chihuly works extravagantly in richly-coloured blown glass, drawing on the historic techniques of the Murano glassworks in Venice. An earlier version "Ice Blue and Spring Green" was originally installed in the Grand Entrance of the V&A in 1999. This was modified and enlarged in 2001 to form the present V&A Rotunda Chandelier. It is composed of 1300 blue and green blown and mold-blown glass elements wired to a steel armature. It is a sculpture, not an actual lighting fixture. Source: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) [website]; http://www.vam.ac.uk/ (accessed 7/16/2012)