Mary Had A Little .... Lamp by David McMahon
David McMahon

Mary Had A Little .... Lamp by

I saw this amazing lampshade in a friend’s home in India in 2006 – and I was mesmerised by the intricate design, all the way from the top section down to the bulbous lower area. 345 views on 26 May 2011.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many miniature geometrical shapes and colours illuminated in such a small area before. There are circles, triangles, inverted triangles and squares interspersed all the way through the rich design.

I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 18-125mm lens. F8 1/90 sec, ISO 800, focal length 108mm.

Featured in INCREDIBLE INDIA, July 2009.

Featured in STAINED GLASS ART, July 2009.

Featured in ART OF GLASS, July 2009.

Featured in 50 THINGS, August 2009.

Featured in 60s GLORY, September 2009.

Featured in FEEL, DON’T COPY, October 2010.

Featured in CAPTION FUN, October 2010.

Featured in BRICKS, BLOCKS, TILES AND MOSAIC MANIA, November 2010.

Featured in AS IS PHOTOGRAPHY, May 2011.

India2 2044

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Tags

david mcmahon, illumination, india, lampshade, lamp

Comments

  • LorenaLo
    LorenaLoalmost 3 years ago

    Oh Wow!! David this is fabulous,,, this lampshade looks so gorgeous, looks like million dollars! (no kidding)

  • Thanks, Lorena. I wish I could give you more details about the genre, but I think it might be from the Rajasthan area. Will try and find out more from “informed” sources!

    – David McMahon

  • Betty Mackey
    Betty Mackeyalmost 3 years ago

    You sure you didn’t make this lamp with Photoshop brushes? Just kidding! It’s a beauty!!!

  • Hi Betty – I wish I was that gifted! Glad you liked this. I’m just waiting for a friend to email me some details about where exactly the lamp is from. Will post the details here as soon as I have them.

    – David McMahon

  • CJTill
    CJTillalmost 3 years ago

    This is a wonderful picture David.

  • Thanks, Colin. The dark background wall worked in my favour – I was keen to show the tiny details and intricate patterns + colours. Might have been harder against a light-coloured wall.

    – David McMahon

  • stephaniek
    stephaniekalmost 3 years ago

    Fabulous indeed!! Do you think it’s soldered or grouted?

  • Hi Stephanie. Glad you liked the lamp. I would imagine it’s grouted. From what I remember of the surface, I don’t think it was soldered. Am waiting for some details from the owner ….. !

    – David McMahon

  • Sara Fabre
    Sara Fabrealmost 3 years ago

    I’m a sucker for COLOUR!! PATTERNS!!

  • Hi Saz – I knew this would appeal to you in every sense!

    – David McMahon

  • JUSTART
    JUSTARTalmost 3 years ago

    beautiful shot, beautiful lamp
    love the colours

  • Thank you, JustArt. Glad you liked it. Despite the intricacy of the pattern, the quality of the light was really good, too.

    – David McMahon

  • DonnaMoore
    DonnaMoorealmost 3 years ago

    What a gorgeous lamp and wonderful find. It has such great details and hard work in it. David thank you so much for adding it to our group“STAINED GLASS ART”.

  • Thank you, Donna. I wonder how many man-hours went into creating this stunning piece of Indian work. I’m currently waiting for an email with some information about where it was made, etc.

    – David McMahon

  • kalaryder
    kalaryderalmost 3 years ago

    What a wonderful find David

  • Thank you very much, Kalaryder. This was shot in Calcutta, but I’m guessing the actual lamp came from northern India. Will post the information as soon as I find out.

    – David McMahon

  • Carol Barona
    Carol Baronaalmost 3 years ago

    what a gorgeous lampshade – amazing color and detail

  • Thank you, Carol. I was mesmerised by the workmanship – the patterns are so intricate. I’m so glad you liked the shot.

    – David McMahon

  • JennyMac
    JennyMacalmost 3 years ago

    Where can I get one!!! Amazing colours… I love the way you find such interesting things to photograph and show us… a little window on the world! : )

  • Thank you, Jenny. This was actually a tough one to depict, because I so wanted to emphasise the little details and colours and shapes of the intricate pattern. So glad you like this one.

    – David McMahon