Billowing sleeves of fine fabrics that gather at the wrists, below the knees, and around the necks of dapper-looking men were common in the Renaissance era. Eventually that formal, puffy-sleeved trend wore off for Men’s fashion – along with the petticoats and frocks – but has been reborn in a lighting design that goes by the name of Boa, in the trendiest of chandelier and hanging pendant lamp form.

Steel Chainmail with Renaissance-inspired Industrial Suspension Brings out the Modern Boa of Fuse Lighting

Boa chandelier. Designed by Fuse Lighting.

Since giving folks the benefit of the doubt is a quality I pride myself in, I’d like to think that perhaps Kevin Kolanowski of Fuse Lighting was unsure of what name had been given to the style of the gathered hem finishing the end of a wide, puffy sleeve or pant leg. It is without a doubt that the magnificent chainmail metal that wraps around the suspension cord resembles the apparel that ever so gracefully draped down one’s arm or leg. But given its name of Boa, I’d also concur that the slinky chainmail mirrors the body of a constrictor – especially when the gathered hem slips over the bulb, losing the bulb in the midst of its long sleeve of steel links.

Boa pendant light. Designed by Fuse Lighting.

Satin nickel finishes on the various Boa lamps (shown) add shine to the the industrial stainless steel chainmail used. In each of the Boa lighting fixtures – Boa pendant, Boa chandelier, Boa wall mount sconce and the Boa sconce – the pendant diameter measures 3.5″ in diameter, and 5″ in diameter with the bulbs in place. I must say I am partial to the three lights of the Boa Pendant that hang from the ceiling as if pouring through the floor like water that has been frozen into Renaissance-shaped icicles. It would be great to see the light in other finishes too as the light fixture canopies are available in a variety of brass, nickel and powder-coated finishes and the chainmail may come in steel, brass, nickel, and bronze finishes.

Boa chandelier. Designed by Fuse Lighting.

About the Designer: Fuse Lighting is a hand-crafted lighting studio that began back in 2000 by Kevin Kolanowski to bring his glimmering light fixtures to life. He combines a heavily luxurious side to everyday lighting with the use of semi precious gems and minerals as well as a whole variety of finishes to choose from for a custom look. Of his most famous Fuse Lighting designs, Kolanowski finds ways to use citrine, rock crystal, smoky topaz, mica, agate and capiz shells to bring out the brilliance of a bulb and create what he calls “an ethereal sense of style”.