How do I clean frosted glass shades?

Warm soapy water handles most dust on frosted glass. Avoid abrasive sponges that scratch the surface. Dry the glass thoroughly before reattaching it. Trapped moisture corrodes the gallery screws.

I bought an old lamp with a strange two-pin plug on the end of a fabric cord, can I just plug it into the wall?

You need to have the lamp rewired by a qualified electrician before plugging it in. Original fabric flex from the 1930s is often degraded inside, and early two-pin plugs fail modern safety standards. The metal frames on these lights usually require proper earthing. An electrician will install modern three-core cable that keeps the period look while ensuring the fixture is safe for daily use.

What holds a slip shade in place?

Gravity and friction do all the work. The glass panels are moulded with specific grooves that slide directly into matching channels on the metal framework. This design means the shades can rattle if the light gets knocked. You have to handle the main frame carefully when moving the fixture to stop the glass slipping out.

Some of the geometric glass bowls I see suspended from the ceiling have three holes drilled near the rim, while others have none at all. Why is that?

The holes indicate how the bowl was originally suspended. Flycatcher shades rely on three chains hooked through those drilled rims to hang straight from the ceiling hook. Bowls without holes were designed to sit inside a rigid metal armature. These heavier frames cradle the glass from underneath and are more common on French fixtures.

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Art Deco Lights

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Emerging in the 1920s to suit modern electrified interiors, Art Deco lights combine geometric glass shades and sleek metal armatures to illuminate rooms with a sharp, industrial elegance.