Reverse Painted Lamp

167 Ideas by Vanessa Weber

Reverse painted glass lamp shades were invented by the Hendel company in the early 1900s. The realistic designs were done in floral, scenic, and modern motifs that dazzled the crowds, and because they didn’t lose their popularity, painted lamp shades are appealing to this day. You, too, can capture an elegant mood and create a unique atmosphere with these reverse painted lamps.

Reverse painted lamp shade 2

Table lamp made of glass with a very unique reverse painting of a landscape in a forest. The colours that dominate are blue, yellow and orange. It is an antique lamp created more than one hundred years ago with a bronze finish metal.

Glass vintage reverse painted lamp

Glass vintage reverse painted lamp
Handel style reverse hand painted shade with antique finish base

Handel Style Reverse Hand Painted Shade with Antique Finish Base | eBay

Bronze Art Deco Reverse Painted Glass Lamp Shade W Roses Approx 17 Tall

Bronze Art Deco Reverse Painted Glass Lamp Shade W Roses Approx 17 Tall

Add an Art Deco design to your apartment with this painted lamp shade. It features the glass construction, bronze finish and roses motif. It measures the 17 inches tall. Great addition to the home library, office space or living zone.

Glass reverse painted table lamp

Glass reverse painted table lamp
Reverse painted lamp shade 1

Extraordinary inverted bowl or umbrella lamp shade with Handel style forest scene painted artistically by hand. The painted landscape gives a stunning effect when the light shines through it. There are trees, lake and blue sky.

Reverse Hand Painting Glass Shade Rose Flower Pattern Table Desk Lamp Light 12X12X19

A attractive stylish table lamp for 1 up to 60W standard base bulb. A candlestick base of bronze finished metal features embossed patterns and grooves. A dome-like lampshade of glass is hand-painted with charming floral motifs in pastel shades.

Nature landscape reverse painted lamp

Nature landscape reverse painted lamp
Reverse painted lamp shade

Thanks to this spectacular table lamp, you can enjoy seascape every time you turn on the switch. It has a round base that looks like a stump of a tropical palm, and a hand-painted shade with a stylish black finial.

Phoenix reverse painted vintage lamp harbor scenes free shipping

Phoenix reverse painted vintage lamp harbor scenes free shipping

This Phoenix reverse painted lamp, adorned with harbor scenes constitutes a vintage masterpiece. Standing on a brass base, it will be a solid proposition, that will withstand the test of time.

Antique vintage reverse painted glass lamp shade possibly pittsburgh

... Antique Vintage Reverse Painted Glass Lamp Shade - Possibly Pittsburgh

Reverse painted lamp shade

Reverse painted lamp shade
Reverse painted roses metal lamp 

Reverse painted roses metal lamp 
Antique reverse painted lamps on handel reverse painted lamp the

Antique Reverse Painted Lamps on Handel Reverse Painted Lamp The ...

Lamp with reverse painted puffy shade flowers

Lamp with reverse painted puffy shade flowers

A beautiful and floral piece to grace any interior in your apartment. Try this reverse painted lamp shade with puffy colorful flowers and enjoy the extra light next to the bed or sofa.

Antique jefferson reverse painted lamp shade 1886 24 tall 18

Antique Jefferson Reverse Painted Lamp Shade #1886 24" tall 18 ...

Antique tiffany lamps art nouveau lamps and chandeliers antique 2

antique Tiffany lamps, Art Nouveau lamps and chandeliers, antique ...

Reverse painted lamp shade 21

Vintage Signed Dale Tiffany Stained Glass Lamp Shade Antique Reverse Paint Bas | eBay

Handel reverse painted shade lamp lot 1248

Handel Reverse Painted Shade Lamp. : Lot 1248

Inc image 1 jefferson lamp reverse painted hollyhock shade 1884

... Inc. Image 1 JEFFERSON LAMP REVERSE-PAINTED HOLLYHOCK SHADE #1884

184 reverse painted scenic landscape glass shade lamp

184: Reverse Painted Scenic Landscape Glass Shade Lamp

00 01 jpg

00-01.jpg

Reverse painted lamp

Reverse painted lamp

This beautifully painted table lamp is a combination of a solid base in an antique glass shade. The tune harmonizes beautifully with the country style with the old note. Beautiful coloring of the landscape of the painting captivates.

Reverse painted shade lamp

Reverse painted shade Lamp

More Ideas
Reverse Painted Lamp

Buying Guide

Reverse painting is believed to have originated in the ancient Byzantine empire. But it was during the Renaissance period that the art form became more mainstream, especially for creating religious symbols.

Eventually, it was replicated on lampshades in extremely intricate forms and designs by Philip J Handel. When clubbed with the subtle illumination casted by oil wicks, reverse painted lamp shades took over the world of décor by storm.

If you are a first time shopper looking for authentic reverse painted lamp shades, then here’s a brief guide to help you get started.

Reverse painting is a technique that requires great skill and precision. Paint is applied on the back or the underside of the glass and then viewed by turning it over.

Unlike other types of painting, the details are painted first and the layering and filling color in the larger areas is done later.

Ancient reverse painted lamp shades usually have landscapes, collages, patterns or floral designs. In extremely rare cases, there might be religious symbols or motifs as well.

It’s much easier to create reverse painted shades today with the use of decals and automation. But authentic lamp shades were hand painted by skilled artisans who sometimes signed the painting after completion.

The easiest way to know if the painting is hand painted, is to look for minute imperfections. If it’s a floral design, each leaf or flower will have tiny differences. It does take a skilled eye to spot them though. Mass produced lamp shades have more uniform images.

Manufacturers like Handel, Pittsburgh, Jefferson, Phoenix Pairpoint created beautiful brass and copper lamps with reverse painted lampshades. Today, Pairpoint and Handel lamps are considered to be the most valuable. A Pairpoint Puffy lamp in mint condition can cost a fortune. Recently, one sold for a whopping $12000 at an auction. Go figure.

You can look for marks, logos or patterns on the wick finder or the flame spreader to identify the manufacturer, which can give you an idea of the actual value of the lamp. This can also be very helpful if you are looking for an authentic replacement lampshade for a damaged one.

Another way to spot if you are dealing with an antique lampshade or one produced in a backyard factory in China, is to analyze the glass. The glass used in antique lampshades were usually blown by hand (or mold blown) resulting in random imperfections, much like the paintings themselves. The surface might be slightly uneven. There might be traces of sand or other debris left behind during the sand blasting process.

An antique reverse painted lampshade requires special care, especially if it’s an electrified one. Start off by using a very weak LED bulb for the fixture. One that doesn’t let off too much heat that can cause the delicate paint to flake or peel. Avoid sunlight exposure as well as it can cause the paint to fade.

And if you are shopping on a shoestring budget, you can always look for hand painted reproductions of vintage designs. These will be cheaper than authentic ones but will give you the same design and colors.