Natural Antlers – How They Are Made

We enjoy educating you, our dealer/customers, by providing accurate details about each handcrafted product we build, and instruct our designers here at ArtFactory.com to inform you about our unique manufacturing process. We provide factual product information, and comparisons when possible, without bias or hype to assist you in making informed decisions when purchasing custom furnishings. Want you to learn more about our products and services? Call 1-800-292-0008.

Beware All Antler Chandeliers are Not Made Equal

Many makers of antler chandeliers simply use sheet rock screws, antler to antler fast process methods, glue and body putty to join the antlers together, or correct second and third grade eaten or broken horns and form the chandelier. Often these fast process builders also putty the wires on top of the horns, or wire internal to wire nutted hidden wiring junctions that do not allow for individual socket replacement.

They often attach a cheap hardware store chain to the top horn, or wrap several horns with chain along with a tin canopy meant for a simple lighter weight light fixtures. It has been proven that this type of structure will not hold over time, because as antlers age they become brittle and less structurally sound. The consequences of this method are unpredictable and dangerous.

Other makers of antler chandeliers use fake horns. These are resin copies of real antlers using stains to make these fake antlers look real. This widely used cheap method is less labor intensive however, will never last like the real antlers. There are many reports of these kinds of chandeliers bursting in to flames from wiring shorts. The consequences of this method are unpredictable and sometimes uninsurable. See reports on resin molding fire hazards - Industrial Materials MSDS and Harvard Casting Resin MSDS.

Lets Compare to How Our Antler Lighting Is Made

Candelabra light sockets are solid heavy brass or iron and UL listed. Decorative light sleeves can also be genuine wax, solid brass, brushed steel, or horn end butts. The light sockets allow up to 60 watt candelabra bulbs, led. The external sleeve and base of each light socket is solid brass and sets on a mounted ball that can be adjusted vertically. This socket size allows for a wide choice of long life bulbs. You may also choose patina wrought iron sleeves or antler ends. Many other sizes and styles of light bulbs and sockets are available. All meet codes worldwide (specify 220v or 115v when ordering) and are UL certified.

Our patented iron structure keeps you safe. For each chandelier we construct a hand forged virtually invisible internal solid iron frame of 3/8" to 1" diameter iron that is hand forged and hammer struck to shape. ( Not to be confused with a wire or small diameter shaping frame) This frame strengthens the structure of the chandelier, allow for each antler to be individually mounted and conceals all wiring inside and also has the mounting point for the steel 900 pound test chain. You can then connect the chain directly to your solid beam or ceiling application. This allows for the weight of the antler chandelier to be on the iron frame, not the unstable antler bone structure. This type of frame and hanging application also allows for the use of a (customer supplied) chandelier remote winch that allows you to remotely raise and lower your chandelier for service and maintenance.

All antlers offered by ArtFactory.com are natural AA grade, first quality and gathered from the Great North Woods immediately after they have been naturally shed (not left through a winter or eaten by rodents then body puttied back to shape). We never use seconds, fake or faux antlers of any kind. We use antlers from the American Great North Woods region because the calcium deposits are abundant and results in higher quality more structural antlers. All antlers are natural colors.

Our custom antler lighting and chandeliers are wired internally and UL Listed. Using a 1/4" thick steel central wire enclosure that is attached to the main iron structure we secure each antler end individually to this super structure. We then bore through each lighted horn to run our wiring internally. This allows for each light socket and wire to be able to be replaced with little effort. All ArtFactory.com lighting is hipot tested according to the rigorous rules and guidelines of Underwriters Laboratories. After passing this test they may carry a UL seal of approval. These seals are recognized by building code inspectors the world over.

All iron parts are well hidden, using various colors of hand applied iron oxide patinas. Our beautiful patina finishes are hand applied using a special patented process where oxides are bonded into the metal at over 1000 degrees. This permanent finish beautifies with age. We do not paint or faux finish any of our iron creations. Paint fades, chips and cracks over time and patinas last forever. No drop forged casted copies and no paint or powder coated finishes are used on our limited edition or original works. Every surface of this furnishing is finely finished including the undersides and hidden areas.

We Custom Build Fine Art Lighting for Residential and Commercial Projects

Important facts you need to understand about wrought iron. This information will inform you and allow you to choose lighting that will appreciate in value over time.

Historical Origin and Design Inspiration for Antler Lighting & Furnishings

Deer communicate in many different ways including sounds, scent and marking. All deer are capable of producing audible noises, unique to each animal. Fawns release a high pitched squeal, known as a bleat, to call out to their mothers. Does also bleat, as well as grunt. Grunting produces a low, guttural sound that will attract the attention of any other deer in the area. Both does and bucks snort, a sound that often signals danger. As well as snorting, bucks also grunt at a pitch that gets lower with maturity. Bucks are unique, however, in their grunt-snort-wheeze pattern that often shows aggression and hostility.

Antlered deer possess many glands that allow them to produce scents, some of which are so potent they can be detected by the human nose. Three major glands are the orbital, tarsal and metatarsal glands. Orbital glands are found on the head, and scent is deposited from them by rubbing the head, often the area around the eyes, on hanging twigs. The tarsal glands are found on the lower outside of each hind leg. Scent is deposited from these glands when deer walk through and rub against vegetation. The metatarsal glands, found on the inside "knee" of each hind leg, are the most potent.

During the first year the pedicles appear on the young deer's forehead. The following year, the youngster sprouts straight, spike-like shafts, and in the third year, the first branch appears. In successive years, as the deer matures, his antlers lengthen and, in most species, he acquires additional branches. One can actually determine the age of the deer from the number of branches on his antlers, as their number increases with age.

Antlered heads are prized as trophies for the hunter, and the bigger the better. The recording of hunting trophy rack sizes dates back the the early 20th century in London, England. Antler sheds are also highly collectable. From mid December to mid February deer, elk, and moose begin to shed their antlers. In prehistoric times, antlers were used to make weapons, tools, ornaments, headdresses, and toys. Today at ArtFactory.com we can use these real antlers to created custom lighting and furnishings for your office, home, and cabin. We never use killed dear antlers due to the unpredictability of their structural strength and other environmental concerns.

ArtFactory.com builders of Handcrafted Fine Art Furnishings

Whether we build products for your modern dream home or ancient castle, every element is always built to future collectable antiquity, investment quality standards, and will stand the test of time. Destined to become a part of your family's appreciating financial net worth, as well as a proud to own legacy heirloom.

We Are A "One Stop Shop"
Many of our clients commission furniture For every room, doors, gates, built-in cabinets, lighting and hardware for their entire project. For Example: We are capable of starting with your entrance door design style or personalized carving coat of arms, family crest or business logo and bring this design in a tasteful elegant way in to you interior and exterior lighting fixtures, entrance doors, Interior doors, cabinets, structural elements, entrance gates or furnishings for every room. Making your home a unique piece of your family tradition and legacy.

Many of the world's finest builders, architects, interior designers, as well business and home owners choose ArtFactory.com for their custom doors, gates, furniture, lighting, hardware, and furnishings, due to our large flexible American workforce and our ability to manufacture coinciding with construction deadlines. Contact one of our design engineers to discuss your residential or commercial project at 1-800-292-0008.