Fringed shades

by Monsieur Ara

I would like to introduce here some fringed lamp shades I met in the last 25 years, both as a collector and as a professional restorer for lighting devices. Some of them are still available (please see contact page and ask for prices), some are not for sale, most were sold long ago, but many others are waiting for their turn to be chosen and equipped with fringes (numerous colors and patterns available) and a suitable fixture.

Fringed shades were made from late 19^th century to our days, but they were very popular in Europe in the first quarter of the 20^th. They were used on kerosene pendants and lamps, gas lamps and electric fixtures, especially the popular rise-and-fall pendants with China counterweights.

The manufactures were located in the well-known areas of Central European glass industry: Bohemia, Silesia, Eastern France. Plain or overlaid glass in different colors and different painting techniques (hand-painting, printing or stencils...) were used, as well as metal shades with some glass inserts.

The fringes come in many different patterns and colors, and the beads themselves could be made out of tubes or moulded in different shapes: pear-, bell- or chrystal-shaped beads were quite common, as well as tubes. The fringes are divided into two categories; some use mainly small beads and are called Venetian-type fringes, while so-called Bohemian fringes alternate large and small beads in nearly equal numbers.

	A catalog featuring glass bead fringes in numerous patterns . Mostly Venetian-type fringes are shown here, in typical geometric patterns in the German taste. Carl & Willy BOHNERT Frankfurt, Germany 1912 The catalog was edited in French and probably in several other languages, for exportation.
Same catalog showing complete shades.
	Some old fringes in quite good condition, as found on a flea market.
A sample card with beads in different shapes and colors. Such beads were moulded , while small beads were cut in narrow tubes like macaroni noodles.

On the right hand: German rise-and-fall pendant with etched shade and beads. Ca. 1910       Left: A rise-and-fall pendant from Great Britain, early 20th Century. General Electric Company.

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