Innovation often starts with a question. Several years ago, Ephraim artist, Kevin Hicks wondered if it would be technically possible to hand throw a functional lampshade on his potters’ wheel. Initially Kevin and the rest of the studio had a hard time imagining the practicality of a ceramic lampshade. Would it be too heavy for traditional lamp hardware to support the weight of the ceramic material? What good is an opaque lampshade?
Antique Fulper Mushroom lamps provided some context for a ceramic lampshade. In the case of Fulper, they conquered the opacity problem by incorporating small pieces of glass into the ceramic shade. Kevin, however, wanted a lamp that would put out more light.
After several failed attempts – some shades warped in the drying process; others dripped in the kiln during the glaze firing – Kevin formed and Jennifer glazed a single, true/round, perfectly glazed large-scale lampshade. With the help of some heavy-handed topological geometry, John figured out how to cut, shape, fit and secure three pieces of mica to the shade.
The result – a surprisingly light, yet visually substantial – thoroughly Arts and Crafts Ephraim lamp! The studio could not be more pleased with how this project turned out. This one and only and first-of-a-kind lamp debuts Feb 19th at the National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. If you are attending the show, come by our booth and have a look.
Jennifer holds the newly glazed lampshade while discussing designs with Leah & Kevin.
First Ephraim Pottery ceramic & mica lampshade with ceramic base, $1,400.