Location: New York, NY

In 2007 Aurora Lampworks was selected to rewire the 53 sconces and chandeliers that make up the prominent Wrightsman Galleries. The prequalification process was rigorous and after 3 reviews, Aurora demonstrated that it was the company that could perform the challenging task.
 
Because it is strict policy of MMA to disallow any photographs of their objects, we are cannot provide images of the various fixtures but have instead provided a narrative.
 
The Wrightsman gallery project was immediately different for the Aurora team in that all the work had to be done in a conservation lab set up by and located in the MMA. All measurements had to be taken at the Met, parts fabricated back at our studio, and then brought in for assembly on site. A high level of organization was required to keep up with the Met's amazing conservation staff who did all of the cleaning of the metal and crystals.
 
The vast majority of the fixtures were originally candle (most are from the 17th century) but had been electrified sometime in the mid 20Th century. Our scope included rewiring using a technique that we have developed over the years. 18 gauge wires covered with Teflon (thinner insulation than regular 18 gauge wires have) are passed through a heat resistant sheathing that can then be painted to match the fixtures. So where the wires pass over gilding, they are gold and where they travel over a dark bronze, they can be painted to match. From a reasonable viewing distance (often times even upon a close up inspection) the new wiring is impossible to see.
 
The lighting designer, Larry French of Auerbach Glasgow Associates specified a new flicker candle technology. An electromagnetic device within the candle sleeve sends a pulse to the life like candle flame and causes it to pulse. The result is the very sutle sensation of movement through out the rooms as though there is a slight breeze blowing through.
 
In order to bring more light to the incredible ornate carvings and crystals of the chandeliers, auxilliary lights were placed strategically on arms and tucked within ornamentation. A low voltage xenon source was used that provids long life and is dimmable. The lamp (bulb) holder was designed by Aurora to flip open for easy relamping and was plated gold to blend in with the fixtures. See images*
 
The next time you visit the Wrightsman Galleries, we hope that this description of our scope of work will add to your experience of the rooms. You can also click on the case study link below for Odile de S. Inc. for pictures of fixtures wired similar to those in the Wrightsman Galleries.

+ Metropolitan Museum of Art

+ Aurora Case Study: Odile de S. Inc.

+ Auerbach • Glasow • French