The decorative leaded
stained glass shades produced during the Victoran Era and the
early 20th century, for
kerosene oil or electric lighting, are an important aspect of our
decorative arts history. The quality and variety of glass
produced for these shades, combined with the intricate castings
in bronze, brass and white metals for the bases, produced
an amazing variety of leaded stained glass lamps for the turn of
the century consumer. Early kerosene oil leaded shades typically
were made with more translucent glass, to take advantage
of the available candlepower. With the advent of electric lighting,
the glass produced was more opaque, directing the light downward.
Every budget had a lamp available for purchase, from a
simple Miller or Bradley & Hubbard slag panel lamp to
an exceptional work of art by Tiffany Studios, Duffner &
Kimberly, Williamson, Gorham, Suess, Wilkinson, Lamb
Brothers and others. Today's collectors value these lamps for
their timeless beauty, craftsmanship, and utility in modern