Oil lamps have been used as a source of light for hundreds of years. They are most often made from material like terra-cotta, clay, stone, gold, bronze or silver. These lamps are fuelled by oil made from animals, vegetable or mineral. Antique oil lamps are collectible items and they are found online and local antique shops.
Oil lamps shades are also a focus for collectors. They come in a wide range of shapes and colors. Oil lamp shades are designed to soften the glare that occurs from naked flames and focuses the light in various directions. They are one of the most decorative components of an oil lamp and are often used to enhance the look of the lamp itself.
These shades are made from glass and can be plain or decorative. The decoration can include transfers or hand painted pictures of flowers, landscapes or portraits. Some shades are frosted to soften the light from the flames. The most common shapes are Vesta, Tulip, Beehive, Globe or Ball and Dome shades.
Oil lamps and their shades can tell you a lot about a historical piece in time or an area’s particular culture. The most common periods that interest collectors is the Victorian and the Kerosene Era in North America. If you are serious about collecting oil lamps shades then it is worthwhile buying a book that is specially dedicated to the topic. They often showcase hundreds of black and white and color photographs, with an emphasis on diversity, trimmings, and the probable placement in the home. Such books can be hard to come by. However, you can often one or two copies at your local library or websites that sell second-hand books. Such books can be an excellent reference when you are searching for the shade for your oil lamp.
One of the best places to buy oil lamp shades from is eBay. You will find a wide range of different shades including hard-to-find and antique. Prices range from just a few dollars to over twenty. Another option is some of the online retailers that specialize in oil lamps and components. There aren’t too many websites of this nature around but they can have some very good stock when you find them. You could also email or call them in order to see if they can find the item that you are looking for.