I am so happy to be able to share photos of this wonderful lampshade my grandfather Pierre Ménager painted in 1945. I love the way the figures circle the shade, the rich colors — even after so many years, and just the humor and élan of the piece. Many thanks to Pinky Werner (whose parents were good friends of my grandfather) for sending me these photos — along with several others I plan on sharing here. Do click on the images for a larger view of the artwork.
You know, there’s a part of me that really wishes this was one of those lamps that would mechanically turn slowly around and around. I remember seeing a pair of fabulous Hamms Beer lampshades in a bar that did just that. It was totally mesmerizing. And one would never have to agonize which side to put front!
Oh Midori these are such fun. And yes, I recall those novelty lampshades that revolved, powered by the heat from the bulbs, though I never saw the Hamms Beer one you describe. Back in the sixties my parents had a huge, ornately blown red glass lamp base contained within a framework of wrought iron. The glass bulged out between the iron scrolls, and there was a bulb inside the base as well as under the lampshade. The shade itself was made of heavy parchment printed with a nineteenth century coaching inn scene in vibrant colours. The windows of the picturesque inn were cut out and fitted with coloured transparent paper, so when the lamp was on the building twinkled as the coach pulled up outside it, laden with luggage and travellers about to disembark. And of course the base glowed a heart-warming molten red. Whenever this lamp was on in the evenings during my childhood, I sat entranced before it making up stories of the travellers, where they’d all come from and where they were going, and conjuring in imagination the feast awaiting them in that delightfully welcoming hostelry. I had the same feelings admiring that marvellous painted lampshade in the photographs you’ve shared with us. Your grandfather must have had creativity flowing from his fingertips. And what a wonderful legacy he left for everyone to enjoy.
Ah Clive, whatever happened to those fabulous old lamps? I would love to see some “retro” company reproduce them again. And yes, Pierre was incredibly talented — he did everything from painting, carving, building his own frames, huge sets. And he was a great cook!
I’m certain there has to be some way that you could actually rig something up to make these spin. I am not the mechanical type, but it might be worth looking into!