This was on eBay. My lust was instant and intense. I had had HAD to have it. The opening bid was high, but profound desire had already eclipsed my senses. I recognized the chandelier as being by Lightolier, and I love love love Lightolier. The chandelier was also 1940s, and I particularly adore 1940s Lightolier. I had never seen this chandelier before. This increased my desire. Immensely. Note how the shade matches the glass sphere. OMG! I had to have this!!!!!!!! My heart was soaring!

It was completely original, including the distinctive brass finial disk.

My heart leapt like Nureyev upon realizing I was the high bidder.

A week later my nice UPS guy delivered a box and, as he handed it to me, I drew back. “Oh oh. I just know this box isn’t packed well.” The box had this kinda crumpled look common to boxes without enough packing material inside to withstand normal handling during shipping. The nice UPS guy nodded assent, and gently shook the huge box. “Sounds OK.” It did. So, maybe I was wrong? My heart lifted. But things quickly grew alarming when I opened the box. My heart sank. The box was, as expected, only but half filled. Now, I cannot tell you how bad this is. Because whatever was inside bounced around the box interior the whole trip. Bounce! Bounce! Bang! Bounce! Bang! Smash! Well, I pulled out the little bit of packing material, gently lifted the bubble-wrapped whatever, placed it on a counter, and started cutting away. I could now hear broken glass. And inside was my worst fear…

…the fabulous glorious rare rare rare Lightolier. My heart? It sank to the floor. And burst out crying.

The shade, well, what remains of the shade, is simply incredible. It is made, or so I think, from two layers of glass. An inner clear interior, and an outer opaque layer (kinda a VERY pale golden color).

Then, at least I think, designs were wheel-cut into the outer layer, producing these stunning creations with petite beveled edges. GORGEOUS. All of this is highly evident in person.