Topic: Handpainted opalescent shade - Victorian? Gas?

[Frank]

Almost certainly brass with a white metal coating, it is cast. It could be a solid base metal too but that is less common. There was quite an industry in making these things. The other common finish was a copper plating with 'antiquing' chemical blackening in the edges and fiddly bits. The reason it is not familiar is that for years these coatings have been polished down to get to the brass.

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks for the clarification Frank