A lamp harp is a metal wire frame that connects an lamp shade to the lamp socket. The lamp harp is an essential component of a lamp because the lamp harp determine the height and the position of the lamp shade. If the lamp harp is too short, the lamp shade will be too low.
A lamp shade that is too low may expose the light bulb or cause heat damage to the shade. If the lamp harp is too tall, the shade will be too high. A lamp shade that is too high will block the light from the lamp.
How to Choose the Right Lamp Harp
To avoid these problems, you should select the height of the lamp harp to allow the lamp shade and base to have a more correct height. A lamp harp consist of several specific components. The lamp harp has a saddle that clips onto the lamp socket.
The saddle must be even with the lamp socket so the lamp shade does not wobble. On top of the saddle are two arm that rise to a bridge. The bridge supports the lamp shade.
The shade attaches to the bridge with a spider fitter that is located on the inside of the shade on it’s top. On top of the bridge is a finial that is a decorative nut that screws onto the lamp harp to hold the shade in place. The height of the lamp harp must be matched to the size of the shade and the base.
If the shade and base is small, the lamp harp will be short. Large shades and bases requires tall lamp harps. A rule of thumb for lamp shade and lamp harp height is that the shade should be one or two inches taller then the lamp harp.
If the shade is taller than the harp, the shade will hide the light bulb and the arms of the lamp harp. Another advantage of having a shade that is taller than the harp is that the light will spill even from the bottom of the shade. The shape of the shade also impacts the height of the lamp harp.
A drum shade is cylindrical in shape and requires a precise height of the lamp harp. An empire shade has a flare at its bottom portion of the shade and can be supported by a shorter lamp harp. A coolie shade is a wide flat shade that requires a shorter lamp harp to prevent looking top-heavy.
A shade that has a square shape to it must be centered on the lamp harp. The saddle of the lamp harp must grip the lamp socket tight to ensure the shade does not tilt. The metal finish of the lamp harp and its finials should also be considered when purchasing a new lamp shade.
The metal finish should coordinate the lamp shade and base. For example, a shade with a brass lamp harp can coordinate with a vintage lamp base. A brushed nickel lamp harp will coordinate better than a moddern lamp base.
The finial sits on the shade on top of the lamp harp. The finial can be a ball finial, an acorn finial or a disc finial. Not all shades use a lamp harp.
For instance, clip-on shades attaches directly to the light bulb and do not require a lamp harp. Uno fitter shades thread directly onto the lamp socket and also do not require a lamp harp. Only use a lamp harp if the shade use a spider fitter to attach to the bridge of the lamp harp.
Before purchasing a new lamp harp for the shade, measure the components of the lamp. Unplug the lamp from the power outlet. Remove the old lamp harp.
With the shade removed, measure from the bottom of the saddle to the top of the bridge. Measure the height of the shade from the top rim to the bottom rim. Measure the width of the saddle to ensure that the new lamp harp will fit onto the socket.
Matching the height of the lamp shade with the lamp harp and the lamp harp with the base will allow the lamp to function correctly and look balanced. You should of checked the size first. Its important to recieve teh right parts.
Youll want to make sure there isnt any issue with the furnitures size. All these pieces fits together. Making sure teh shade is right is alot of work.
