"Victoriana," the Victorian Lady Each of our Victorian lampshades is an original piece of art that has been created by hand to specifically enhance the beautiful vintage fabrics of velvet, brocade, silk and lace, as well as the hand dyed fringed and beaded tassels. The utmost detail is taken in making these intricate lamp shades come to life and to guarantee that no two are identical or the same as another in fabric or color. The endless creativity of making the next Victorian lamp shade "even more" is why these lampshades are so unique. Thus, one of the reasons why movie studios have clamored for these pieces of art and have been in Psycho IV and Tarzan; whereas publications such as American Painted Ladies have photographed these Victorian lampshades time and time again. Some pieces are whimsical, others are romantic accents, and then there are those which are total statements within themselves. Each piece is a treasured heirloom which over time becomes more valuable in uniqueness and quality. As with each Victorian lampshade, you will find the antique lamp base to be "one of a kind" as well with many being from the era of the 20's and 30's. These, too, are exceptional and exquisite pieces which accentuate the showcasing of the lampshade, and together, the combinations are breathtaking. Creativity is awe inspiring, never to be exactly duplicated, for such are the ways of Victoriana, the Victorian Lady, who works ere so closely with the artiste`, Ms. Donna Ladley. Together, they bring "to life" the art known as Victorian Lampshades. About the Artiste` The era of beaded and fringed Victorian lampshades still live on today due to the vision of artiste`, Ms. Donna Ladley. Her life changed when, in 1973, she made her first Victorian lampshade. The inspiration came from her great-grandmother, who had, earlier in her own life out of love and necessity, made a beautiful phantom shade consisting of rose silk and panels of vintage shawl dripping with blue and cream beads. Thus, from that "family lampshade" came forth the beginning of many shades to be created by Donna over a lifetime. Her many works of art are in New York hotels, numerous Bed and Breakfast establishments throughout the U.S., and overseas. The clientele list is long, but certain individuals such as Mike Love of the Beach Boys have acquired her lamps over the years. As an artiste` she prefers to create freely without the perimeters of only doing certain styles and colors, whereas, some pieces are so unique that they have been hand painted. She has been commissioned in the past to create specialty pieces, one being a lampshade in glass beading and tassels which hung over a pool table with the shade being in proportion to the pool table length. There are many words to describe these lampshades, "Unique," "Absolutely Gorgeous," "One of a Kind," but it is only when you see the lampshade itself do you definitely know that it is the work of Donna. |
