What Defines a Student Lamp Shade

What Defines a Student Lamp Shade

Student lamps were originally introduced in the mid 19th century as a desk or table top lamp with a single light source cast down to the table top for reading or focusing on a project. The first student lamps were oil or kerosene style lamps with an burning wick mounted to a lamp burner. As the wicks and fuels became more efficient, the need for a light shade was created. 

Aladdin Oil Lamp - Alexandria White Glass Base
Student lamp shade are design to fit on student lamps and are usually dome shaped. The top opening allows for a chimney to pass through while the bottom of the shade is mounted with a ring or tripod style lamp shade holder. The fitter sizes were standardized so the shades could fit different style lamps without needing a custom shade holder for each lamp style. The fitters are known by there general diameter like "6 inch" or "10 inch". The actuals measurements of a 10 in shade may be closer to 9 7/8 Inch, but for student lamps these sizes are interchangeable.
Shade ring

Student lamp shades are made from glass and come in a variety of shapes and colors. While the most common color is white, they can be red, green, clear, frosted, painted or decorated with a scene. The shades are made from hand and come from a glass mold. Once the molten glass is blown in the mold, the shade is annealed in a furnace, the cut and polished on a wheel to smooth our the top and bottom edges. 

While these shades are domed shaped, they can be decorated with ribs, hobnail pattern, smooth, have a crimped top or plain top. Some other styles are known a slant, Tam-O-Shanter, and diamond quilted. The style of shade depends on the shape of the lamp and the owner's choice on how they want the lamp to appear. 

 Cased Green Tam-O-Shanter, 10 inch fitter Tam-O-Shanter Shade
Opal Glass Hobnail Shade, Beige Tint Crimped Top, 10 inch fitter Hobnail Pattern with Crimpt-top
DISCONTINUED - Opal Glass Slant Shade, 6 inch fitter Slant Shade with Plain Top

 

Now that you know the basics of student shades, it is time to check your student lamps to ensure they are properly decorated and trimmed up for a dignified presentation. 

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