Remains Lighting is the source for thousands of vintage and custom fixtures – from six showrooms on two continents, and one solar-powered, daylit factory in Brooklyn, NY – that illuminate the world's most distinguished addresses. Follow the link below to browse through the collections and learn a bit about who, how, and where we are.
David Calligeros
Remains Lighting
21 Belvidere Street Brooklyn, NY 11206
212-675-8051
www.remains.com
As a mobile web app, Lights of Marrakech is designed to be a self contained experience you can bring with you on the go. There are a few links that point outside the application (google maps, remains.com), but we have made sure that they will open in new windows so as to preserve your experience.
We have also included an offline mode that downloads all of the information and images for the app at once, which then resides in your browser's memory until the window is refreshed. You can turn this feature on by toggling the button above.
This is especially helpful if you are outside your normal service area and do not wish to incur heavy data usage charges or encounter spotty reception. Just load the app once when you are in a good wi-fi or cell reception area. At any point you can return to that window to explore the site without having to download again, even in airplane mode.
We hope you enjoy your time exploring the Lights of Marrakech!
Menara Airport Main Hall image 1 courtesy of Raymond Yiu Sing Wong
Menara Airport Airport Lounge image 1 courtesy of Eurowinter
GuelizGueliz Streetlights image 1 courtesy of onico
Gueliz Streetlights image 2 courtesy of jorialvis
Majorelle GardenMajorelle Garden Glass Garden Lantern image 1 courtesy of chrismecait
Majorelle Garden Brass Garden Lanterns image 1 courtesy of atheope
Majorelle Garden Brass Garden Lanterns image 2 courtesy of atheope
Majorelle Garden Brass Garden Lanterns image 3 courtesy of planetevivante
Marrakech Train StationMarrakech Train Station location image courtesy of samueleghilardi
Marrakech Train Station Main Hall image 1 courtesy of rachee
Bahia PalaceBahia Palace location image courtesy of Lionel Leo
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 3 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 4 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 5 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Glass Lanterns and Decorative Ceilings image 6 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Architectural Details image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Architectural Details image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Bahia Palace Architectural Details image 3 courtesy of David Calligeros
Dar Si SaidDar Si Said location image courtesy of Nino Verde
Dar Si Said Gazebo Lanterns image 1 courtesy of mksfca
Dar Si Said Gazebo Lanterns image 2 courtesy of samuel_santos
Dar Si Said Gazebo Lanterns image 3 courtesy of jrgcastro
Dar Si Said Traditional Stained Glass Lantern image 1 courtesy of khowaga
Jemaa El FnaJemaa El Fna location image courtesy of Blaisephoto
Jemaa El Fna Streetlights image 1 courtesy of _pixelmania_
Jemaa El Fna Streetlights image 2 courtesy of _pixelmania_
Jemaa El Fna Streetlights image 3 courtesy of kxondus
Jemaa El Fna Streetlights image 4 courtesy of onico
Koutoubia MosqueKoutoubia Mosque location image courtesy of Omar Chatriwala
Koutoubia Mosque Chandeliers image 1 courtesy of Mirjee
Koutoubia Mosque Corridor Lanterns image 1 courtesy of arsheffield
Medina/ShoppingMedina/Shopping location image courtesy of Drumsara
Medina/Shopping So many lanterns to choose from... image 1 courtesy of Sunil Shinde
Medina/Shopping Lantern Rental Shop image 1 courtesy of Michele R. Unger, bellstjournal.blogspot.com
SynagogueSynagogue Sanctuary image 1 courtesy of Daithai C
Synagogue Sanctuary image 2 courtesy of Daithai C
Ben Youssef MadrasaBen Youssef Madrasa location image courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Skylights image 1 courtesy of seier+seier
Ben Youssef Madrasa Skylights image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 3 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 4 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 5 courtesy of David Calligeros
Ben Youssef Madrasa Architectural Elements image 6 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech MuseumMarrakech Museum Large Pierced Metal Lantern image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Large Pierced Metal Lantern image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Large Pierced Metal Lantern image 3 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Hall Lantern image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Hall Lantern image 2 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Tiered Chandelier image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Hammam Lantern image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
Marrakech Museum Ornate Ceiling image 1 courtesy of David Calligeros
An ornamentation consisting of an interlacing design of foliage.
A construction that spans space and supports its own weight as well as the weight of the structure above it. Arches are typically curved, though they have many variations.
A style of architecture, art and decoration lasting from approximately 1920 to about 1940, this period takes its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industririels Modernes of 1925. The unifying hallmarks of the period were an interest in simplified, reductivist geometric forms, speed, machine design, and products engineered for mass production. There were roughly two branches of the Art Deco movement, one interested in applying abstracting, essentializing, geometric treatment to all objects, be they teapots, book-bindings, or automobiles, and the other interested in form following function, rather than the decorative treatment of surfaces per se.
A decorative technique of contrasting silver inlay with a dark metal ground, achieved by engraving a shallow cut in the base metal and chiseling fine silver into the prepared hollows. Originated in Bidar, India.
An yellow-gold alloy of approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc. Brass is somewhat cold-workable, though it has brittle, work-hardening qualities. There are tens of common brass alloys, each with divergent uses and workability characteristics. Brass can be polished to a mirror-level reflective surface. Brass is highly corrosion-resistant though it does oxidize from light brown to black, in dry interior settings, to bright green in exterior settings. To complicate things, some brasses are called bronzes in trade name and industrial convention. Brass can be cast, rolled into sheets, turned on a lathe, hammered at room-temperature into shapes, etc.
A light source of wax or tallow, usually cylindrical shaped, accreted around a yarn or cord wick, which when burning, provides steady light by drawing the molten wax up towards the flame. The wick burns only incidentally as the true source of combustion is the wax.
The word derives from candle-maker (chandler). A ceiling-hung lighting fixture designed usually with multiple projecting arms. Chandeliers are more often designed to spread light horizontally for general room illumination, as opposed to vertically, as in the case of a pendant. Chandeliers are commonly used to illuminate dining rooms, living rooms, large processional and ceremonial spaces, and large foyers.
The finishing steps in producing finely detailed metalwork, most commonly used in cast objects. The surface of the metal is hammered by the craftsperson, or chaser, with hundreds of different minute chisels each producing finer definition in lines, accentuating beading, or hatching and matting background surfaces, etc.
A chemical element (symbol Cu). Copper is a metal of peachy-red color. It is very malleable at room temperature and workable into many forms (sheet, wire, plate, rod) with most common manufacturing techniques except casting which is of more than average difficulty for this metal.
An element with a concave section. In lighting design, a cove is a channel, high on a wall, that conceals indirect lighting.
A pattern of regular openings and raised sections (saw-toothed or flat-topped) such as were made on fortified walls for the purpose of defense.
A decorative technique of contrasting silver inlay with a dark metal ground, achieved by chiseling fine silver a steel or bronze sheet, prepared by roughing the surface overall with sharp, fine chiseled cuts. This allows the soft silver wire to be hammered anywhere on the prepared ground.
A partial or full-hemisphere for diffusing or reflecting light. See also “Bowl” and “Inverted Dome Chandelier”.
A method of producing a design with shallow cuts made by fine grinding wheels or by hardened steel scratching tools (in glass or metal).
A finial is any of a variety of usually upward-pointing ornaments found, among other places, at the top of a chandelier body or armback or sconce backplate.
Ornamental coating of gold leaf, electrolytically deposited gold, or gold dust. Also known as gilded or gilt.
A period of architecture and decorative arts beginning in the 12th century and ending in the 16th century across Europe. Characteristics include the pointed arch or lancet, the trefoil, quatrefoil, and other lobed patterns, and repetitive geometric tracery.
A decorative element whose chief characteristic is open spaces "cut out" and opposing the solid material (which can be anything from metal to wood to plastic).
A banding design of overlapping scrolled lines.
Form of decoration that involves cutting small pieces of ivory, precious metals, mother-of-pearl, or wood which are then fitted into carved-out recesses of the same shape on a contrasting base material to create a picture or geometric design.
A glass or stone dish that is open at the top and suspended from a stem or chains, providing semi-indirect light. Inverted Dome Chandeliers sometimes incorporate projecting, candle-bearing arms.
One of the two major schools of Islamic calligraphy, Kufic scrip is characterized by blocky geometric characters as opposed to sinuous, curving, cursive scrip of the Naskh family.
Unlike chandeliers which are most often oriented radially, lanterns are oriented vertically. They are typically designed with metal frames holding glass panels or an infill-panel such as mesh, beaded prisms, or fabric. Lanterns may occasionally have projecting arms.
Small pieces of glass joined at the edges with metal, traditionally with lead although zinc and copper are also common. The term does not refer to the presence of lead in the composition of the glass itself.
An architectural decorative treatment of vaults, domes, and niches appearing like a regular geometric progression or honeycomb of small corbels, coves, and pendants.
Oil or “fluid-fuel” lighting has its origins in prehistory. There are examples of oil lamps from some of the earliest human civilizations. The basic form of the oil lamp was, for thousands of years, a shell or stone dish of molten animal fat or vegetable oil with some vegetable wick such as papyrus, rush, or linen. As in a candle, the heat of the flame draws the fuel up the wick through capillary action where it is burned. Oil lamps went through many improvements over the centuries, but leapt forward with Aime Argand’s invention of the circular tube wick that drafted air from underneath, both around and through the wick tube. The additional oxygen at the flame produced an intense bright light.
Term used to describe a darkened, worn appearance formed on the surface of objects due to wear, age, exposure, and hand-rubbing. Patinas vary with the materials, finishing process, and environment of an object. With copper-alloy metals such as bronze, the colors range from light brown to black to green. With iron alloys, the colors range from bright orange to blue to black. With silver and nickel, the color ranges from amber to light brown to black.
1. A light fixture that hangs from the ceiling with a single or several closely coupled chains or stems, has a main body element that is compact, and does not have any projecting light sources such as a chandelier arm.
2. A downward hanging decorative element such as a tassel, bell, loop, or spear. It differs from a finial, which typically points up.
A decorative technique of cut-out patterns in sheet metal. The cut-outs were effected with chisels or saws traditionally or with abrasive jet and lasers in recent times.
Literally, many-colored, or an ornament in several colors.
Ornamental relief work on sheet metal where the design is pushed out by hammering from the reverse side in a technique similar to embossing and used extensively in Spanish art.
A ring is a circular metal or wood frame of any profile used to hold an array of candelabra arms or the lens of an inverted dome chandelier. Also referred to as a "rim".
A chemical element (symbol Ag). A soft, white metal that is highly workable for decorative and industrial uses through casting, rolling into sheets, spinning, as well as hand-working such as repousse, wire-work, and raising. Silver can be polished to a mirror-level reflective surface.
Glass colored with various metalic compounds for decorative effect. The glass is "stained" throughout, while melted, not in a film applied over a clear base.
A type of floor lamp equipped with a decorative glass or metal reflector bowl designed to throw light upward.
The ability of a material to allow the passage of light (ant. Opaque).
The main terminal space with shadows of the photovoltaic cells on the walls and floor.
Pyramidal skylights overlaid with geometric grids of PV cells.
The use of the PV cells additionally cuts the intensity of light to the interior, and keeps the building cool. The photovoltaic tiles are designed to evoke traditional Islamic architecture while allowing light to enter through the skylights.
For those not impressed with the modern architecture of the airport, the lounge offers some traditional decor; wooden carts and all.
Modern streetlights in Gueliz.
Fake antique streetlights in Gueliz, likely in cast aluminum with a bronze finish, sporting gothic arches in the lantern bodies.
A pleasantly plain white leaded glass geometric lantern in the gardens.
A series of fine brass pierced-work lanterns hangs around the house
This fixture in the new station has quite a pointed look. The very subtle patterned panels are translucent and show up in contrast to the plain gilded surfaces at night when it's illuminated.
Traditional pierced-work and stained glass lanterns adorn many of the rooms.
Against the wild ceilings, the fixtures can occasionally pale in comparison.
The archways to the courtyards are dressed with these traditional pierced metal and stained glass lanterns.
There are tiled niches and arch supports filled with polychrome muqarnas vaulting in the interior rooms
The carved and marquetry-detailed woodwork in the museum uses many of the same details as the tiles and metalwork do: chevrons, chessboards, arabesques, interlaced complex polygons, etc.
An unusual assortment of street lights near the square includes this T-arm example with rampant lions around a star and a crown.
This three headed streetlight, each lamp resting on a floating Corinthian capitol.
A scene making lantern of a humble, traditional Moroccan form.
A lobed-top torchiere-form over the square. Under the playful lobed top are two areas of latticework, one regular and diamond-patterned, the next, more sinuous.
A series of large, beautiful brass chandeliers which perhaps had candles arrayed around the ascending crenellated tiers.
The interior halls are beautiful plain spaces illuminated with inverted dome, basket-like small chandeliers and traditional octagonal lanterns. I'd love to see the brass chandelier at the end of the corridor in person.
If you just want a lantern for a few hours, or you're not sure quite which lantern you want to bring home, you can rent one from this shop without entangling commitments.
The interior of the synagogue is a double height space with large windows in the upper half of the wall. The lighting here is a big mix of traditional local Moroccan lanterns and a surprising double row of mod pendants. Of particular interest is the row of glass oil lamps (most converted to electricity) in the back. From the Israel Review of Arts and Letters: "One characteristic common to all Moroccan synagogues is the abundance of qandils (oil lamps in memory of the deceased) suspended by chains and ending in a silver or copper ring in which the lamp is set. The wick has been replaced in many lamps by electric light bulbs which remain lit all day."
A view to the front of the synagogue.
A skylit courtyard in the Madrasa Ben Youssef.
Another skylit courtyard in the Madrasa Ben Youssef.
In the courtyard of the Marrakech Museum you'll find this large dome shaped hanging fixture of ochre-painted brass and iron. I'm unclear whether there's an illuminating element in it, but it's quite lantern-like. The bottom panels are delicate pierced-work sheets of metal held in tapering frames. The zig-zag concentric tiers above are crowned with little inverted saw-teeth finials. It's knit together by tons of domed fasteners and little turned pendants.
Detail of courtyard lantern in Marrakech Museum.
Now this is something I can sink my teeth into; and don't get started with the jokes about udders or anything else. This fixture is fun and bizarre, and well made. It appears that there's some Damascene-work or Bidri silver inlay in the darkly patinated brass base metal. The pierced teardrop shaped top is detailed with bands of arches, arabesques, and guilloches. The broad pan below holds 8 amber globes, each with what looks unfortunately, like a compact fluorescent lamp.
This image shows a great coordination between the surface decorative scheme, the architecture, the directed natural light, and the lighting fixture. Through a field of dark-colored, busy geometric patterning, small round openings in the vault send starlight-like beams through the still air. The bold red outlining of the spandrels and the dappled colored light emanating from the stained glass in the lantern accentuates the structure of these plain shapes. The fixture itself hangs there between them like a celestial body.