Anybody have any insight on this type of lamp - woven strand metal, looks like wicker. I saw one at a show once and it was quite remarkable how it was constructed, quite heavy as well. How were these made - using the same machinery used for weaving together wicker, modified for metal??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-ARTS-CRAFTS-Stickley-Copper...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Interesting - the look of wicker with the durabilty of metal. Do you suppose the shade was originally lined with fabric?

I suspect you are right Ray. The fabic may have been stitched to the bottom skirt of the shade.

Fred

Yes this would have been lined (on the inside), just like the wicker type. I think they used silk actually, so that it could be shaped easily.

...here's a Gus lamp with the same style shade, in wicker, showing the lining treatment..

You could use raw silk for it's nubby texture or unbleached muslin (which should have a warm brown look to it). I doubt that you want something white, slick and finely woven.

I think pleating the fabric without damagaing the old wicker will be hard unless you carefully sew it on with thread that matches the color of the wicker.

Also, I knew a lady in New York who made wicker baskets the old fashioned way. She soaked the wicker in water and bent it to shape over forms while wet. She always claimed that wicker needed a drink of water to keep from being brittle, drying out and then breaking or cracking. Try misting the lamp shade with distilled water--something that will not have chemicals. You might get a lot of dirt off that way. Let it dry completely before you attempt to sew the pleats on the shade.

Good luck, I wish that I had found such a great lamp. Did you pay a lot for it?

Bev.

P.S., when I have done that to my wicker--it can smell really baaaaaaaaaaaaaad. Don't panic.

Just be careful not to damage the wood or any metal with the water. A light misting will make it more flexiable when you attach the fabric shade.

Bev.

Bev,

You still have a chance to own the lamp; it's on eBay now and doesn't close until Monday. I doubt I'll bid; I'll be surprised if it doesn't go for more than I can afford right now.

John

Maybe it's just me, but the shade has the look of an upsidedown laundry basket.

I like the base part though.

I just noticed a Japanese Wicker shade on ebay like the one shown in Stickley cataloge with silk liner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1200...e%3Dsearch%26fvi%3D1
Fred

Fred,

Highlight the URL in your browser's address bar and then simultaneously press "Ctrl" and "C." Then you can place the cursor where ever you want the link to appear - on an e-mail, in a document, or in your forum posting - and press "Ctrl" and "V." The link will appear there.

John

John,

I use cut and paste commands all day long. I just never realized that such a long URL as appears on eBay would compress to the short link. Thanks for giving me the push to try it.

Learn something new every day.

Fred