Lampshade Question, Link Corrected

March 27, 2018 5:16 PM

Recently I acquired these lamps. I am looking for suggestions for what lampshades to buy, as well as where to buy them, at not-exorbitant prices.

The lamps are 34 inches tall, and 26 inches around the widest part of the base. I have a feeling that these will look very nice with just the right lampshades, but I have pretty boring/dated ideas regarding lampshades. When I look at these lamps, I think of this silhouette. I am wondering if there aren't other options out there that wouldn't fit just as well or better, and not look like they would make the lamps seem right at home in a room with wood paneling and an orange shag rug.

I prefer solid colors, but am open to patterns if they are the "right" pattern, if that makes any sense.

Bonus question: what era are these from, anyway? Just because I think 70's-ish, doesn't mean I'm right.

posted by Armed Only With Hubris to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

I'd guess they're Italian blown glass, mid-century, and it looks like the one on the right has been rewired...kind of? Because the cord looks like the original on that one, but the cord on the left looks newer (although the rest looks original?).

As for the shades, I think you could get away with a square shape, just to make things interesting, but I'm not sure where to get them. IKEA does have lampshades (non-square, iirc) at non-exorbitant prices, but I'd take a lamp with you to see how things look.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:36 PM on March 27, 2018

For modernizing, I like the shorter, wider lampshade options shown on similar lamps here: Vintage Murano
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:40 PM on March 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

The height of the shade is governed by the height of the harp. The harp is the oval-ish brass thing that the shade sits on. Measure from where the shade rests to the bottom of the two brass pieces that the harp fits into. The harp is removable and you can buy a taller one if you want a taller shade. A shade of the proper height will show some of the rod that sticks up from the urn.
posted by wryly at 5:58 PM on March 27, 2018 [2 favorites]

I like these lampshades a lot. They’re $25 from JCPenney, and they come in ivory and white. The photo is of a white one, the ivory is a little darker. They’re all-cloth shades and have lasted me quite a long time. I see you have finials already so that won’t be an issue. The catch is that JCP got rid of their lamp section in the stores so you have to get them online. But they are frequently on sale, so you could pick them up for $18 if you want to keep an eye on the prices.
posted by Autumnheart at 6:04 PM on March 27, 2018

I think you should take one of them in to a local lighting shop and try shades on. If you don't find a shade you love, at least you will learn what silhouettes you prefer. And you might get an opinion from the shop staff that helps. Not sure where you are, but yelp may help you find a good shop.
posted by sldownard at 11:40 PM on March 27, 2018

I'd go for a drum shade. Target has a pretty good selection, and their prices aren't bad. Their buying guide also has good directions on how to measure and descriptions of the various fitting.
posted by little king trashmouth at 7:23 AM on March 28, 2018

If you could source some 2-tier fiberglass, it would look divine! Bonus points if you can find them in off-white/mint color. I can't figure how to link to a search result anymore; google "2 tier fiberglass lamp vintage shade".

Re: bonus, are there any marks on the bases?
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:37 AM on March 28, 2018

I would put a drum shade on them like the Target one. Something wider than the silhouette you linked will read more modern. If you want to, you can switch out the finials too, maybe for something that blends in with the metals of the lamp.
posted by purple_bird at 1:14 PM on March 28, 2018