Champagne
Additional information
| Dimensions | 12 × 12 × 28 in |
|---|
An acid-etched aluminum base rises like a champagne flute to a copper tube, supporting a pewter lamp shade, rimmed with tightly twisted copper wires suspending wood, bone and glass trading beads from Côte d'Ivoire. The 60 watt equivalent tubular style LED bulb illuminates from within the copper shade support, connected to a standard E26 ceramic bulb socket, vintage-style red rayon wrapped wiring visible through six large holes cut into the etched lamp body. Brightness is controlled by an LED compatible in-line dimmer.
$1,000
This table lamp is composed of several pieces from different sources. The champagne flute-shaped aluminum base was found at an antique sale as part of a pair of candlestick holders. Upon working the base I found that it was cast in different sections and welded together. Each section responded differently to sanding, polishing and etching, indicating that the aluminum alloy in each section was likely different, which led me to the conclusion that the candlestick holders were themselves made from recycled aluminum in some location without tight controls on mixing alloys.
The shade support is a 3-inch plumbing pipe, removed during reconstruction of our 140 year old converted fire station where I live with my wife and my shop is located.
The pewter shade is a bowl I found at a thrift store. I fringed the edges of the bowl with various beads from Côte d’Ivoire, which I buy from Côte d’Ivoirians who look at me with equal parts guarded warmth and suspicion. The shape of the base, the beads, the holes cut into the base and the etched circles all suggest champagne bubbles.
