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It could have been a setting right out of an 18th century villa in Paris. At the entrance of the mansion, located amid the sprawling greens of Chattarpur Farms in Delhi, is a glistening 500-tonne chandelier made of glass and rock crystal. Regis Mathieu, a dapper Frenchman dressed in a swish Nawab jacket complete with pocket scarf, points to his many creations scattered around his house - chandeliers in different designs and of course, for different purposes.
A restoration expert and chandelier designer, Mathieu recreates antique chandeliers, lamps and sconces that are artistically and historically significant. Some of his work rests at Philadelphia Academy of Music in the US, Opera Garnier in Paris, Château de Versailles, Farnesse Palace in Rome, and others. Mathieu's modern designs can be seen at the fashion houses of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Hermès and Christian Dior.
For the last seven years, Mathieu has been visiting India to source crystal for his chandeliers. In doing so, he has gathered a loyal following of well-heeled customers who are willing to dole out oodles of moolah for a bespoke chandelier. And so, Mathieu has set up a home in Delhi too. A well-travelled buyer, says Mathieu, can tell the difference between the classical and the modern and will know what he wants. "I hate it when someone tells me he wants a 'simple' chandelier."
"Indian maharajas ordered opulent chandeliers for their sprawling ballrooms," he says. "Today, a chandelier continues to be a statement of power, luxury and an affluent lifestyle." Mathieu talks from experience - Indians often stress on a chandelier's opulence while giving him a description of their homes. "A chandelier is like really expensive jewellery or a sleek car - it exhibits decadent wealth." A fancifully-customised chandelier from Mathieu Lustrerie can cost up to a crore, depending on the customisation.
Once he receives an order, Mathieu visits the buyer's home for a recce. "I review the height of the ceilings, the furniture and the lighting." If there are staircases, then from every angle, the chandelier must have the same finish. "No matter where you look at it from, it should take your breath away."
While business families with expensive art collections demand European classical designs, the nouveau riche in India, says Mathieu, opt for the functional and the contemporary. Opulent private homes and luxurious hotels are also on his radar. "In fact, some private homes look like five-star hotels!"
With Indian homes being prone to dust, are chandeliers a practical indulgence? "You just need to clean it once a year," says Mathieu. Some of his modern designs include "Unexpected Visitor" with hand-cut crystal pearls which doubles up as a floor lamp and a swinging chandelier. The limited-edition "Cube" with only eight pieces available, is a must-have - though it's heavy, its unique structure makes it float.
Mathieu recounts his most challenging work. He was commissioned to duplicate the antique chandelier at the Opera House in Monaco, designed by the famous Charles Garnier. The original, however, had disappeared over time! With only a small black-and-white photograph serving as a foundation, Mathieu set to work. "In 1862, the chandelier used gas for lighting. I equipped it with modern technology. But if they could pull it off in the 18th century, we can do it now."
