A mosque chandelier hangs beneath the dome for decades, above a congregation that prays under it five times a day. That is why making brass mosque chandeliers is a long journey that starts in the workshop and ends at the dome. Since 2013 we have designed and produced our chandeliers in our workshop in Tekkeköy, Samsun, and installed them on site with our own team. In this article we walk through the stages a brass mosque chandelier goes through, from the first drawing to the dome, with examples from projects such as Al Hassan Mosque in Bahrain.
1. Survey and measurements: everything starts with the dome
The process starts with getting to know the space. Whenever possible we carry out a site survey; for distant projects we work from the dome diameter, dome height and suspension point given in the architectural drawings. The chandelier's diameter is usually between one third and one half of the dome diameter. For the number of bulbs we use a simple rule: 10 bulbs per metre of chandelier diameter. The tier layout is then chosen roughly by diameter:
Single-tier chandeliers: 30–100 cm
- 2+1 tiered chandeliers: 100–200 cm
- 3+1 tiered chandeliers: 200–500 cm
- Larger domes: custom sizes such as a 700 cm 4+1
For example, a 300 cm 3+1 chandelier consists of three rings of 3 m, 2 m and 1 m plus a 30 cm lamp at the bottom, carrying 61 bulbs in total. If you want to go deeper into sizing, see our mosque chandelier selection guide.
Dome height matters as much as diameter. In tiered chandeliers the lowest ring is kept at a height where the congregation can pray comfortably and where it can still be reached for maintenance. This height is set for each project according to the dome height, the gallery level and the chandelier's diameter, which is exactly why the measurements taken during the survey are so important.
2. 3D drawing and approval
Once the measurements are clear, we draw the chandelier in 3D. The drawing shows the ring diameters and the distances between them, the layout of the verse or motif plates, the crystal details and the suspension system together. Seen together with the dome, it becomes clear before production whether the proportions suit the space. Production does not start without the client's approval; any changes are made on the drawing at this stage. That way, surprises are solved on screen rather than in the workshop or under the dome.
3. Brass mosque chandeliers or stainless steel?
We make the body in brass or stainless steel. Brass, with its warm golden tone and its suitability for fine work, is a frequent choice for luxury mosque chandeliers in the classic Ottoman form. Stainless steel comes to the fore in models with more modern lines. The material is chosen together with the client according to the model, the architectural language of the mosque and the expectations of the mosque committee. In our Ayetli Osmanlı (Ottoman with verses) model, the verse plates on the rings are accompanied by crystal details; in the Vizyon, Medine and Kutulu series, the frame form and LED-supported plates take centre stage.
4. Laser-cut verse and motif plates
One of the most distinctive features of a Turkish mosque chandelier is the calligraphy on its rings. Verse or motif plates are laser cut, with plexi and LED strip placed behind them. When the light is on, the text glows from within and can be read from beneath the dome. The calligraphic layout, the size of the plates and how they are divided around the ring are planned at the drawing stage. We cover this topic separately in our article on laser-cut calligraphy plates.
5. Production time
For standard models, production usually takes 15–20 days. For large projects, a separate production plan is made for each model, because the main chandelier, side chandeliers and wall lights of a single mosque are prepared at the same time. So when we discuss delivery dates, we plan model by model which piece will be ready when.
6. Packing and shipping
Small and medium chandeliers can be packed whole; large chandeliers are dismantled and shipped in parts. This keeps transport safe and makes sure the chandelier can pass through the mosque's doors and staircases. The body of the 8 m main chandelier of Al Hassan Mosque in Bahrain was made in parts in Tekkeköy and shipped that way.
7. Installation under the dome
The last step is installation. We install our chandeliers on site with our own team, abroad as well; to date we have completed more than 30 projects outside Türkiye. At Al Hassan Mosque, the 8 m main chandelier was assembled on a scaffold set up inside the prayer hall. In the same project, more than 20 large chandeliers and dozens of wall lights were designed as one family of rings, so that all the lighting, from the main chandelier under the dome to the wall lights, speaks the same language. You can see the project in detail on the Al Hassan Mosque page. For an even larger scale, in 2015 we made a 12 m diameter chandelier for the Abdelhamid Ben Badis Mosque in Oran, Algeria.
8. After-sales support
Communication does not end when the installation is finished. We stay in touch with the mosque committee after handover and provide after-sales support for questions about maintenance and use.
What to prepare when you request a quote
Dome diameter and dome height (or the architectural drawings)
- Photos of the mosque interior
- Your preferred model and body material (brass or stainless steel)
- Whether you want verses or motifs on the rings
- Any need for side chandeliers and wall lights
You can browse all our models on our mosque chandeliers page. If you are considering a brass chandelier for your mosque, send the dome measurements and photos via WhatsApp to +90 533 051 84 70 or by email to info@yonavize.com.tr, and we will prepare a custom drawing and quote for you.
