A Broad Base

The student lamp shade is characterized by a broad base which can sit on a ring, or an inverted tripod. Toward the top, the broad base starts tapering inward and then ends in a cylindrical or out-flare configuration at the top lip. The base ring can sit on a lamp base, or hang from chains to form the basis for a swag lamp. Similar designs to this include the gas lamp shade as well as the school lamp shade.

Take a look at our schematic for an archetypal example. Note the distinctive cylindrical piece that rises from the top, almost as if were separate from the dome-like base.

The cylindrical piece of a student glass lamp shade is an opening that likely served as an outlet for the heat of a gas or oil fire before the advent of electrical lighting, making this an example of old-style antique glass lamp shades. This is in line with the industry's and consumers' preference for designs that hark back to a different era, despite the fact that the opening serves little purpose. Such antique or vintage designs are much desired and can command a high price.

The diameter of the broad base is a good way to characterize the size of the student lamp shade. Small ones are 6 inches or so, whereas large ones can run up to 12 inches in diameter. A width of 6 inches means the glass lamp shade is small enough to be accomodated on a desk, table top, bedside nightstand as a reading light. Such sizes may be called mini lamp shades. The larger widths are more suitable for larger end table lamps or torchiere lamps that illuminate the whole room of a house.

Of course this shape is not restricted to table lamps, and are often found on the ceiling as in the example shown below. What is interesting is that in the old days it was likely hard to light if hung up so high, but with the development of gas energy in the 19th century and electricity in the 20th, it has become possible to turn them on with a switch. The design below is opaque white glass with a flower print on the exterior. Three chains hold up this shade.

Yellow and white are not the only colors. The example below shows a green lamp with a glass-frilled top. The bottom is lined with a brass ring that is help up by the base. Green is a common color but is suitable only for particular decor situations, with much less versatility than white. Bankers lamp shade on working desks are a classic example that blends oak and green glass.