A Chandelier's Story

Took auntie to the eye doctor and afterward stopped for soup at McMenamin's pub on 182nd and Powell. This is called the McMenamin's Highland Pub. They have this really interesting chandelier and the waitress gave me the information they have on it. For those out of this area, the McMenamin brothers have created a nice empire in the SW Washington, Oregon area with some mighty fine micro brews and pubs. They have bought up many interesting properties and turned them into high end places that are sought after for special events. They also have many local neighborhood pubs and this is one of them. To have this amazing chandelier in this pub is remarkable, given how special it is. It is a treat to go into each and every one of their properties as they have done an outstanding job of decorating and the art work is amazing. They are all different from one another in their themes.

The Highland's chandelier was once part of a set of three made sometime between 1930 and 1950. The trio was crafted in Murano, Italy, a place commonly known as the
glass-making capital of the world. It is a fine example of the millifleury (French for "a thousand flowers") and drip style typical of Merano glass. The chandelier weighs approximately 300 pounds and is nine feet in height.

In 1968, the Washington Mutual Bank purchased the set of three for it's building in Seattle. They were shipped out of Venice to the Northwest, but for some unknown reason, remained in their crates for eight years. Washington Mutual finally had them installed in 1976, amidst the country's bicentennial celebration.

When the chandeliers were removed from the Seattle bank in the early 1990's, Portland Antiques purchased all three. Mike McMenamin was awestruck when he saw them. To him, they conveyed a mood of Classic Italianate culture crossed with Haight-Ashbury psychedelia, perfect for the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. Two of the three were hung high above the Crystal's ornate dance floor in time for the ballroom's opening February 19th (no year given). The third was installed here at McMenamin's Highland Pub.

You can take a tour of their many venues here.