Bespoke Lampshades

Nothing completes a Besselink light better than the perfect shade. We make the most beautiful lampshades in the world using methods handed down from generation to generation.


Spun and dyed silks are sewn onto brazed frames, bound, lined and pleated, all by hand.

Select from two dozen honan coloured silks, plain card or hand painted dragons, bug or bees. Our shades are also available in oiled, crackled distressed and aged parchment, or if you prefer, you can just supply your own material. Then choose a shape from Empire, Wide Top, Coolie, Square, Portmeirion, Oblong, Pumpkin, American Drum and many others.

You won't find a larger choice of shapes and sizes, or a larger selection of trims and braids. There are 80 different types of trim from simple Russian braids and fan edges to Doxy and Bullion fringes and 11 types of pleats.

Our range covers every type from tiny candle clip shades for chandeliers to huge six foot tear drop pendant shades for the grandest of rooms. Any size or shape you can think of we can make quickly for you. We can advise and work with you to make exceptional lampshades for any project.

Shade Shapes

Empire
Coolie
Wide Topped
Flat
Square
Portmeirion
Bow Empire
Banded Bow Empire
Drum Candle
Bowed Candle
Coolie Candle
Cone Candle
Oblong Pagoda
Square Pagoda
American Drum
Pumpkin
Cut Corner

Trim & Colour Options

We have a full range of trim, material and colour options for our shades. We can create bespoke hand painted shades on request with a stock range of cards and parchment styles to match any design. Our silks are available in over a hundred colours or made on request with your supplied fabrics. A full range of braids and fringes is available to finish off your shades. Please see below for more information or get in touch for samples.


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Braids and Fringes

Russia Braids

Russia-Braid

School Tie & Other Braids

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Block Fringes

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Doxy Fringes

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Silky Block, Fan Edge and Bullion Fringes

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Cards

Card Styles

Hand Painted Shades

Aged Blue
Black Bugs
Chinoiserie
Crackled
Distressed Ochre
Dragon
Insects
Ochre Bugs
Red Bees
Pamphill Bluebell Woods

Silks

Types of Pleats for Silks

pleat-types-01 pleat-types-02 pleat-types-03 pleat-types-04 pleat-types-05

Matka Silks

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Honan Silks

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Materials & Dimensions

All our silk shades are hand sewn by English craftsmen. The frames are hand brazed, plastic coated and then bound with fine cotton tape. Frames of 12" and over have a double base ring for added strength and endurance.

Most shapes can be made in silk, card or laminated card. Clients’ own fabric can in most cases be used. For unusual shapes and clients’ own designs please ask for a quotation and advice. The chart below shows recommended fabric quantities.

All shades dimensions are shown in inches. Conversion table from Imperial to Metric shown below.

Amounts of fabric needed for shades in clients' own material

Shade Base Diameter Fabric Width 120 cm Fabric Width 80 cm  
8" 0.75m 1.0m  
10" 1.0m 1.25m  
12" 1.25m 1.75m  
14" 1.5m 2.25m  
16" 1.75m 2.75m  
18" 2.0m 3.0m  
20" 2.5m 4.0m  
22" 3.0m 4.75m  
24" 3.5m 5.5m  

Conversion

Inches to centimetres (rounded to nearest 1/2cm)

3.5" = 9cm 9" = 23cm 16" = 40.5cm 23" = 58cm
4.5" = 11.5cm 10" = 25.5cm 17" = 43cm 24" = 60.5cm
5" = 12.5cm 11" = 28cm 18" = 45.5cm 25" = 63cm
5.5" = 14cm 12" = 30.5cm 19" = 48cm 26" = 66cm
6" = 15cm 13" = 33cm 20" = 50.5cm 27" = 68.5cm
7" = 17.5cm 14" = 35.5cm 21" = 53cm 28" = 71cm
8" = 20cm 15" = 38cm 22" = 55.5cm