During the 1400's, the high cost of night-time illumination made chandeliers with long, curved, ornate arms a status symbol. So much so that they could only be found in palaces and homes of the wealthy. By the early 1700's however, chandeliers could also be found in the homes of the growing upper-middle class. But it wasn't after World War I that electrified, decorative chandeliers and wall sconces with candle sockets became a common type of lighting in most American homes. The fabric candelabra or chandelier shade is a modern adaptation used to dress up all types of fixtures with candelabra sockets.