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Lamp Shades

Lamp shades are the crowning ornament of any lamp or lighting fixture. Commonly constructed from fabric, parchment, glass, or metal, shades help to diffuse or focus the light and create ambience.

When oil lamps began to be used as street lights in 17th century Paris, they were fitted with reflectors alongside the flame to help project the light downward and from side to side. As gas lighting evolved, shades were used to diffuse the stronger, improved light source. Decorative shades also came into fashion with the dawn of the electric bulb. Hand-crafted leaded glass Tiffany shades are some of the most iconic and highly-coveted American design pieces today.


Quick Facts

  • Real Tiffany lamp shades used high-quality glass panes and confetti glass, so named because it has flecks of multiple colors in a single pane
  • Lighthouses were able to shine beams of light far out to sea because of the enormous etched-glass lenses specifically designed by Augustin Jean Fresnel to refract and focus light
  • Danish mid-century designer Poul Henningsen created the Artichoke lamp for manufacturer Louis Poulsen using a series of staggered steel-plated shades to create a contemporary riff on the traditional crystal chandelier

Recommended Items at Auction

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Iridescent Art Glass Lamp Shade
Apr 05, 11:45 PM CEST
Iridescent Art Glass Lamp Shade
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $80- $120
$100 Bids
Pair of chrome snake neck table lamps by light makers (80 x 22 x 22cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Pair of chrome snake neck table lamps by light makers (80 x 22 x 22cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD120- AUD150
AUD150 Bids
Two Industrial enamel light shades in blue & green (43 x 46cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Two Industrial enamel light shades in blue & green (43 x 46cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD150 Bids
Vintage turned timber lamp with fabric shade (170cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Vintage turned timber lamp with fabric shade (170cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD30- AUD50
AUD150 Bids
Modern lamp (70 x 16 x 16cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Modern lamp (70 x 16 x 16cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD70- AUD90
AUD150 Bids
Vintage green painted enamel light shade (30 x 40cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Vintage green painted enamel light shade (30 x 40cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD50- AUD70
AUD150 Bids
70s "Cubana" light shade by Limelight (60 x 50cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
70s "Cubana" light shade by Limelight (60 x 50cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD150 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Lamp Shades


Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes