Con-Sho Lantern
Red Oak, bamboo and mica (8.5" x 8" x 21.5")
Contact to order and determine delivery time (typically 2-6 weeks) if not in stock.
The Con-Sho Lantern design rejoins Arts and Crafts sensibility with its Asian roots, yet is born of the mountains of North Carolina -- "Appalasian" perhaps? The woods are domestic -- my red oak stock is from a local windfall. Mica is mined in these mountains, and the plant inclusions are from my own yard.
There is much detail to enjoy. For example, notice the raised buttons where each vertical rib meets the curved hoop, especially evident in the center picture (enlarged). They are dowels made from bamboo skewers. I round the ends, then insert them through holes to permanently pin each rib to its hoop.
Though mica has been successfully used as a shade material for decades, a major draw-back has always been a hot-spot where the light bulb is located. I've solved this problem by lining the inside of the shade with a diffusion material. The effect is spectacular! Not only has the hot-spot been dramatically reduced, the whole shade is illuminated with a range of subtle colorations that were formerly unnoticeable, and the option of laminating interesting inclusions is made possible.
For some surroundings or effects, a paper shade may be most suitable. I can laminate virtually any "art paper" to a diffusion material to create a lovely, durable shade. Please inquire.