Civil War-Era Wheels to American Heirloom Lighting – CWCW1865
A Historic Transformation by H.J. Nick and ArtFactory.com
These massive five-foot-diameter wooden wheels were discovered with the remains of a field-artillery-style cannon carriage near Ponchatoula, Louisiana. When we purchased them, they were represented to us as Civil War-era cannon or caisson wheels. Their large spoked construction, heavy wooden hubs, hand-forged iron tires, and overall craftsmanship closely correspond with other authentic period wheels we have owned and worked with throughout the years.
We are not offering these wheels as independently verified or formally authenticated military artifacts. We are presenting them according to the history provided when they were purchased, together with our own experience and comparison to similar 19th-century cannon and caisson wheels. As shown, these historic wheels have now been preserved and transformed into impressive five-foot chandeliers by the master craftsmen of ArtFactory.com.
Description
Built for the Battlefield
During the American Civil War, field artillery had to travel over rough roads, open fields, mud, and uneven battlefield terrain. Cannon carriages were therefore constructed with enormous wooden wheels reinforced by hand-fitted iron tires.
The wheels carried the weight of the cannon, carriage, ammunition, and equipment while helping absorb the impact and recoil of firing. Their hubs, spokes, ironwork, and massive scale were engineered for strength rather than decoration.
More than a century later, these surviving wheels still display the rugged workmanship and powerful proportions associated with an earlier period of American craftsmanship.
A New Purpose Without Erasing the Past
Rather than allowing the wheels to remain forgotten in storage or deteriorate beyond recovery, Master Builder and Artist H.J. Nick envisioned a new purpose for them.
The two historic wheels are being transformed into a matched pair of monumental chandeliers for a grand Western lodge, ranch estate, or post-and-beam great room. Each wheel will remain visually recognizable as a piece of historic carriage construction.
Period-style oil lanterns will stand upright around the upper rim of each wheel, creating the appearance of genuine 19th-century lantern light. The chandeliers will be suspended from heavy antique-style iron chains, allowing the original scale and strength of the wheels to become the centerpiece of the room.
The original hubs, spokes, wood surfaces, iron tires, and signs of age will remain central to the design.
The H.J. Nick Restoration Philosophy
At ArtFactory.com, restoration does not mean making an old artifact appear newly manufactured. It means preserving the evidence of age while rebuilding the piece so it can safely continue into the future.
The cannon wheels will be carefully examined and stabilized by ArtFactory craftsmen. Original surfaces, wear patterns, tool marks, ironwork, and natural aging will be retained wherever structurally possible.
Any necessary replacement work will be performed in the same spirit as the original construction, using traditional materials and Old World methods rather than modern shortcuts.
The lighting system will be newly engineered and discreetly installed for modern electrical safety while preserving the visual appearance of authentic oil lanterns. The suspension hardware and chains will be designed to properly support the exceptional size and weight of the completed chandeliers.
A Pair of One-of-a-Kind American Chandeliers
When completed, these will not be ordinary wagon-wheel lights or reproduction Western fixtures.
They will be two monumental works of functional art created from surviving cannon-carriage components—combining Civil War-era craftsmanship, Louisiana history, Western ranch architecture, and the ArtFactory tradition of building heirlooms intended to last for generations.
Each chandelier will measure approximately five feet in diameter, retaining the commanding scale of the original wheel. Installed together in a large post-and-beam great room, the pair will create a dramatic connection between American history and modern Western living.
Designed and Created by H.J. Nick
For more than a century, the craftsmen of ArtFactory.com have continued the tradition of building by hand—from the selection of historic materials through the final fitting, finishing, and installation preparation.
Under the direction of H.J. Nick, Master Builder and Artist, these cannon-wheel chandeliers will be preserved, engineered, and transformed as signed works of American functional art.
They will carry forward the scars, strength, and character of their earlier life while beginning a new chapter as lighting for an extraordinary American home.
✨ Visit H.J. Nick’s Art Factory Galleries ✨
7407 E Greenway Rd, Scottsdale Airpark, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Monday – Friday | 8 AM – 4 PM MST
Walk-ins Welcome | Private Viewings by Appointment
📅 Appointments & Inquiries
📞 Call: 1-800-292-0008 – Ask for Karla
🌐 Website: www.artfactory.com(opens in new tab)
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