LAMPSHADES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1928, Page 7

LAMPSHADES

THE NEWEST DESIGNS. MADE FROM WASTE MILK. The latest lampshades—they are in great demand—are made from milk; milk (solidified, petrified, perfected by the combined efforts of scientist and artist until it looks like the pearl of the ocean or the shell o.f the seashore ! tSolidfied milk is not a new product, -but “lac”—a term sometimes used for the lampshade material—is comparatively new in its beauty, durability, and finish. The raw material is imported from France, and as the London makers of shades do all the finishing, colouring, and artistry of the completed article, each firm has a trade name of Its own for what is the same material. In almost every case the Latin root word for milk, “lac,” is the affix of the trade name. MADE BY A SECRET PROCESS. The demand is so great at the moment for these shades that London firms have had to place orders six months ahead to ensure delivery. The process of manufacture is secret, and the French, who hold it, are reaping a harvest. Experiments are going forward here with more or less success. Inventive minds have been conjuring and experimenting with the commercial “junketing” of milk for many years, but it is comparatively recently that results have been sufficiently artistic, , translucent, transparent and workable for use as lampshades. Now standard , and reading lamps themselves are being veneered with it to match shades. .

It would not be surprising if. in Suture, walls and panels were decorated with this ornate production. Entire houses in Mayfair and Belgravia are having “lac” lampshades for chandeliers, candelabra, lamps, and brackets. In less imposing homes they are in demand, for you .can clean “lac” with a damp, cloth; it does .not wear out or fade, or chip, or crack. • ~

Its price is not exorbitant, but it is expensive, more expensive than synthetic vellum, hut no more so than real vellum or the fine leathers which many would choose if price were immaterial. LOVELY COLOUR EFFECTS BY NIGHT AND DAY. I was shown some gorgeous examples of “lac” shades at a show--I*oolll in one of "fclioSe lmnpslntde colon ies where the loveliest models are made. The colours are beautiful whether the lamps are lighted or not. There were many shades in gold and yellow, soft pink and blue mauves, iight and rich roses and pinks, pale and deep greens, red and orange, blue in a variety of good colours and pearl and parchment shades.

“After some experiment,” the lampshade man told me,” we have been able to paint and lacquei the material, and we are very pleased with the result. We have two Chinese artists who do the lacquer work • formely it was put on with a sort df plaster of Paris, but now it is made transparent and lights up well. “The painting has to he done very delicately or it will dull the shade. I think we are the only fir-*' to paint the “lac” product, and, as you see, the paintings stand out without detracting from the transparency of the shade.