Reverse Painted Dome Shades
with standard top holes

The advent of electricity in the early 20th century brought a new art form: table lamps with reverse painted shades. Artistic scenes were hand-painted on the inside of translucent glass shades with as much care as if done on a canvas. The images could be most appreciated when illuminated. Reverse-painted lamps were originally marketed for the upper middle class and wealthy clients. Almost all of the value of such lamps is in the shade with the quality and detail of the painting significantly influencing the value, both then and now.