Batakha Small Velvet & Linen Lampshade - Dark Ochre

The Batakha is a tapered drum lampshade in dark ochre velvet, lined in natural linen that shows as a pale band at the top rim. The velvet is a washed cotton pile rather than a flat one, so the colour moves between deep ochre and a lighter rubbed gold as the shade turns, and the linen inside is plain and undyed. It is the small size, 14.5cm tall and 20cm across the wider end.

At 20cm across this is a shade for a small base: a squat wooden lamp, a bedside light, or anywhere a larger shade would overhang the table it stands on. The velvet is dense enough to hold most of the light inside and send it out of the open ends, so a small Batakha throws a pool up the wall and down onto a surface rather than lighting a room. The pale linen lining bounces that light back warm instead of grey. It fits a table lamp, a floor lamp or a ceiling pendant.

The velvet and linen are stitched by hand over an iron frame, so the seam sits in one place and the pile lies differently on each shade. The Batakha range runs from this small through medium and large to extra large in the same dark ochre. No bulb, base or fitting is included.

Which base does the small suit?

A small one. At 20cm across it sits over a squat base or a bedside lamp; on anything wide it will look undersized and leave the fitting showing.

Is the inside velvet as well?

No, the lining is natural linen. It shows as a pale band at the top rim and it is what keeps the reflected light warm rather than dulling it.

Will it work on a ceiling pendant?

Yes. It is made for table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling use, so one shade covers all three.

How do I care for it?

A soft bristle brush, a microfibre cloth or a lint roller to lift dust. Velvet should not be cleaned with water, which stains it. Handle it by the frame rather than the fabric, and keep it out of direct sunlight, turning it now and then so it fades evenly if it fades at all.