Arkansas Capitol chandelier lowered in rare opportunity for a close-up

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A rare opportunity for Arkansans to see a state treasure up close as the state capitol chandelier has been lowered for cleaning this week.

The chandelier was lowered to the rotunda on Monday morning. Secretary of State Cole Jester said the chandelier will make its return trip to the Capitol dome at 1 p.m. Friday.

A spokesperson for Jester’s office said the chandelier is lowered “about once a year” for cleaning, and in this case, to replace a few bulbs.

Officials said the more than 4,000-pound chandelier is approximately 12 feet in diameter and 18 feet tall. It was lowered on a 73-foot chain. An intricate design, it has over 2,000 brass, copper, zinc, iron and glass parts.

Its twin, produced by New York’s Mitchell-Vance Company, hangs in the Utah state capitol.