From 1910 through the 1940s, a bridge lamp along with a bridge lamp shade was quite popular in the homes of nearly everyone. These are very beautiful lamps, used for both decoration and lighting. The light socket was set in a downward position with a casing threaded in such a way as to allow the lamp shade to be screwed onto the end. In this way, the majority of the light will fall in a downward pattern making it perfect to sit by a chair and used for reading, needle work, or possibly to see while playing game of bridge. Homes during this period of time usually boasted ceilings 10 to twelve feet high, and overhead lighting was not quite so useful. A bridge lamp shade lent quite a lovely look to these lamps that could be easily relocated throughout the house to wherever more light was needed.

Table lamps as well as bed lamps were wired like this but the most common of them was the floor lamp. Many of these lamps were crafted from such metals as wrought iron. Also used was wood like maple, pine, oak and other types. A very popular wooden lamp maker was Roxton. People liked their lamps because they complimented the reproduction styles of colonial furniture. While there are many bridge lamps still available to purchase or as family heirlooms, it can be difficult to find a bridge lamp shade for them. The larger manufacturers of lamp shades are not making them so much now.

If you are the owner of a bridge lamp and are having some issues trying to find a lamp shade for it, you may need to search online for specialty websites. These are the companies who will help you recover original frames as well as offer new frames and wires that come with bridge fitting. You may also choose to purchase a completely new color for your replacement shade, or go with a style or shape change. Even an older lamp style can look quite impressive in a more modern setting by just updating the bridge lamp shade.