Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: BJB on January 23, 2009, 02:47:29 PM

Title: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: BJB on January 23, 2009, 02:47:29 PM: I have these two shades in amber glass with bubbles which I think maybe Whitefriars, the only problem is, I don't know if Whitefriars made bubble style shades.

They measure 4.5" tall, and one has candle wax on the base as though it was used as a candle lamp rather than an electric one.

http://i44.tinypic.com/3010ark.jpg

Many thanks,

Barbara

www.theglasscabinet.co.uk
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: johnphilip on January 23, 2009, 04:21:06 PM: Yes they are Whitefriars light fittings i believe you can see some on Whitefriars dot com all rigged up.
They were made for Thorn lighting .
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: Pinkspoons on January 23, 2009, 06:15:46 PM: Yup, they were made to fit the 'Chelsea' pendant, deisgned c.1958-60 by Richard Stevens and Peter Rodd for Atlas Lighting Ltd. (a subsidiary of Thorn). Much taller bubble-free shades are the ones illustrated in the image collection of the Design Council from when it won a CoID Design Centre Award in 1960, so I suspect these smaller bubbled ones might be a later variation.
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: BJB on January 23, 2009, 07:09:57 PM: Ohhhhhhhh, thanks guys for all the replies.

I have never seen lamp shades in bubble glass, only round lamp bases which I think are Murano.

I suppose since they were made for a specific light fitting it ould be hard to fit them in an ordinary one, hence the use as candle shades.

Thanks once again,

Barbara

www.theglasscabinet.co.uk
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: Pinkspoons on January 23, 2009, 07:20:48 PM: I seem to recall someone on WF.com finding contemporary 'retro-styled' lamp fittings that these shades fitted - might have been from B&Q.
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: nigel benson on January 24, 2009, 12:03:20 AM: Hi,

See also the frontispiece to the book and exhibition catalogue "Austerity to Affluence, British Art and Design 1945-1962" which shows a four drop version of the light fitting with an example of each style of the light shade - long, plain cylinder included with three, different, bubbled shades. Also shown on page 103 as item ref PD46 with a reference for Design magazine no.132 December 1959.

The price it sold for, complete with ceiling fitting and drops, in the exhibition, held in 1997, would make your hair stand on end - however long it is :o But this was a groundbreaking exhibition held by Target Gallery (Geoff Rayner and Richard Chamberlian) in conjunction with The Fine Arts Socitey.

Nigel
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: Patrick on January 24, 2009, 08:39:24 PM: Hi Nigel,
How do we get to see the image apart from buying a copy............... Are you allowed to Email a pic. to me . I am sure you can spill the beans on the price !
Here are some more shades.............

Regards, Patrick.
Title: Re: Whitefriars Bubble Lamp Shades?
Post by: nigel benson on January 24, 2009, 09:19:12 PM: Patrick,

I'll try to remember to bring the book to Cambridge - and your the only person I've told about the price (at the 2008 W/F's Day at Adam's). Now get those little grey cells working....... ;D ;D

Cheers, Nigel