Re-Covering or Replacing Antique Lamp Shades
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More About Antique Lamp Shades
Don't be tempted to replace an antique shade with a modern one bought from a major retail store. Lampshades for these older lamps must be fitted carefully, since a small deviation can change the fit and look of the piece. In addition, modern lampshades are usually made with synthetic materials and are produced with the highest profit in mind. That results in a shade that's less well made and which may not go with your beautiful old lamp. Silk is the preferred material for re-covering older lampshades, and it's worth the expense.
The beautiful lampshades we associate with antiques date primarily from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. That's because the advent of electric lighting called for the creation of new shades to shield the eyes from early bulbs' glare. Antique shades can vary from delicate creations of silk and velvet to paper or the famous stained glass of a Tiffany shade.
All these shades, other than pieced glass work, were prone to decay. So, over the years, fabrics faded or were attacked by moths, paper tore and yellowed, and other materials deteriorated as well. Because of this, there are few antique lamp shades in good enough condition for everyday use. However, that doesn't mean that your antique shade needs to go in the garbage.
If you're choosing a reconstructed or reproduction lamp shade today, you need to keep a few things in mind. One is the design of your lamp base - curved lamps look best with curved shades, and an angular lamp should have an angular base. There are also several different kinds of shade attachments. These include harps, bridges, and many other sub-types. Learn about the lamp you're hoping to find a shade for in order to produce the best result.
If you have an antique lamp shade that goes with your older lamp, having it re-covered is the best bet for a perfect match. During this process, the antique frame is stripped and covered with a rust retardant coating. Then it's wrapped in cotton tape, and a new fabric is sewn onto it. This process must be done by hand, and requires a lot of specialized knowledge. Lampshade coverers are real artists!
Fabrics used in covering an old lamp shade may be imported or domestic, but it's a good idea to make certain that they're of the highest quality. That way, you'll have a real heirloom to go with your beautiful antique or vintage lamp. Look for artisans who will sew decorative elements such as braid or ribbon, instead of glueing them. That produces the highest quality shade. In a relatively short time, your antique lamp shade could be ready for use again.
