Tasselled Lampshade Lamp
These tasselled lampshade lamp designs bring Victorian and Edwardian warmth to a room through heavy brass and soft fringe.
Tasselled Lampshade Lamp
When you search for a tasselled lampshade lamp, you are looking at upright lighting formed from converted candlesticks, standard lamps, and table fixtures. The selection spans the nineteenth century into the early twentieth century, taking in periods from the Victorian era through to the Edwardian years and nineteen-twenty.
The forms on this page include tall brass floor lamps alongside compact table lamps and boudoir lighting. Many pieces originate from earlier lighting vessels, such as converted brass candlesticks and candlestands, adapted for electricity while retaining their period character.
Stylistically, the evidence shows a leaning towards Victorian Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts designs. You will also encounter Orientalist and French Chateau influences, alongside beaten copper and painted Chinoiserie standards.
How they were made
Construction relies heavily on metalworking, utilising pressed brass, beaten copper, and gilt metal to form the structural standards and bases. Artisans shaped these metals into columnar standards, urn-shaped bodies, and decorative vase forms.
The softer elements incorporate fabric, thread, and silk fringe, often complemented by glass beads. These textile additions sit alongside the rigid metal frames to diffuse the light cast by the bulb.
A charming little French boudoir floor lamp brings a touch of continental romance straight to the corner of a quiet reading room.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the weight of the metalwork and the crispness of the chasing on the brass or copper standards. Finer examples display deeper hand-beating and more articulate casting rather than simple pressed sheet construction.
The integrity of the conversion work from earlier candlesticks or oil fittings also dictates the standard of the piece. Superior examples integrate the electrical wiring cleanly without compromising the original proportions of the metalwork.
The Tasselled Lampshade Lamp Glossary
- Standard lamp
- A tall floor lamp designed to stand independently on the floor rather than resting on a table. These pieces often feature weighted bases to ensure stability.
- Candlestick converted
- A lighting fixture created by taking an older candleholder and adapting it to take electrical fittings. This practice preserves historical metalwork for modern use.
- Pressed brass
- Sheet brass shaped using mechanical dies rather than hand hammering. It allowed makers to produce intricate surface patterns quickly during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
- Chinoiserie
- A European decorative style reflecting Chinese artistic motifs, seen here in painted standard lamps. It brings whimsical painted scenes to wooden or metal shafts.
Tasselled Lampshade Lamp: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I place a floor lamp?
Position tall brass floor lamps beside armchairs or in dark corners where they can cast a warm, diffused pool of light. Ensure the base sits firmly on the floor.
Keep the trailing flex safely tucked away to protect the wiring and maintain a neat appearance in the room.
Are these lamps safe to use?
Most older lamps have been adapted for modern electricity, often from older candle standards or oil fittings. You should have a qualified electrician check the internal wiring before regular use.
Use appropriate low-wattage bulbs to prevent excess heat build-up near the fabric and fringe components.
How do I date a brass lamp?
Examine the weight of the metal and the style of the base to determine the period. Pieces range from early nineteenth-century neoclassical designs to later arts and crafts and art nouveau creations.
Construction marks and the method of metal shaping often point directly to Victorian or Edwardian manufacturing techniques.
How do I care for silk fringe?
Gently dust fabric shades and fringes with a soft brush to remove surface particles without tangling the threads. Avoid using water or liquid cleaners on delicate silk.
Keep the shade away from direct sunlight to prevent the colours from fading over time.