The store did not "tell" me anything: this was an antique mall with each dealer having a section, and one clerk to do the sales. I did not ask any questions. I could tell that the rewiring was new so plugged it in to check that it worked, and bought it. I should have been more clear: I donÂt think it was plated with "real" gold; just something gold-ish in color. There are several metals used to electroplate that look "like" gold. The top is plated pretty heavily: there is no wear. But there is a chip that shows the base metal underneath. There IS wear on the stem and other projecting fittings that makes it look like it was either lightly plated there or painted. The base is plated/painted in both silver and gold; the wear/scratches there show a grey metal underneath. If it was painted it was a LONG time ago. Some old lamps must have been painted originally. I have another vintage lamp, downbridge style, found in my grandparents basement that is some cast metal. This was also painted, and the paint is original (gold with flowers painted in blue and pink); I know no one would have painted it later. My Dad (80 at the time) said it had been down there gathering dust as long as he could remember. There was at least 70 years worth of dirt on it when I took it home and cleaned it up. I didnÂt buy this one because I thought it was valuable, but because I thought it was neat! And would look even better with a shade. SOME kind of shade. To make it function better in my house it needs this; otherwise the glare from the exposed bulb hits you from any angle. SoÂback to the original gist of my post: what is available that would : 1) go with the style of the lamp? 2) have a wide enough opening to fit the top of this? Inside diameter is 6 ¼"

One of the reasons that brass is out of favor right now is that there are so many cheap super-shiny brass (and especially, brass-plated) fixtures out there. Another is that the other finishes are cheaper to manufacture than solid brass. If you're patient, you can find high-quality antique or vintage brass fixtures that are timeless, have a rich patina, and will hold their value. I found my dining room chandelier at an antique shop, and I've purchased several other light fixtures on eBay very reasonably -- for far less than new fixtures would have been. Old fixtures may need to be re-wired, but that's easy to do (or have done). Just try to get fixtures that use standard size glass shades that will be easy to replace if they break. If the fixture is being sold without shades, price out the repro or vintage shades that you would need before bidding because shades can be pricy.

I am _not_ an expert, but it doesn't look like it was ever a gas fixture to me. Also the acanthus styling says classical or greek revival to me more than victorian. The bases of the light sockets seem to be of a style that encourages a candle shaft and candelabra bulb, like this: http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC324-6/templates/selection.phtml But if you have your heart set on a glass shade, I think it would look OK, but I'm not sure if the bases would accept a standard size. House of antique hardware carries a lot of sizes: http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/sc.9/category.179351/.f I wonder if a 2 1/4" fitter would be too large for your fixture? And for another option, here is a somewhat similar chandelier (OK, pineapple instead of acanthus, but at least they're both plants) with a candlestick and silk shade combination. http://houseofantiquehardware.com/Classical-Chandeliers/Plantation-6-Light-Chandelier I think it comes down to a matter of preference and what is practical to implement. Actually, if you do a google image search on acanthus chandelier, the most common implementation is the candlestick and candelabra bulb option, followed by candlestick and silk shade. There are some glass shades too, but it seems to be a distant third: http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1GPCK_enUS352US348&biw=1920&bih=1085&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=acanthus+chandelier&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq= I do like frosted glass shades because then I can use cfl candelabras, which I love for energy efficiency but not so much for looks.

oldhousegal - thanks you've been a lifesaver for me! I called the company yesterday and I hope you don't mind but I used your words. The company is Mayda. They made the lights and ordered the glass to match for the inserts. I get the variation thing and the other 3 have variations but the colors are relatively the same. You can't see it in the pics but there are quite a few green tones. Thanks fori and blfenton. I can't get them all in the same pic but here are the shoots I sent to the company. The actual light. The cabs on the fridge wall. The cab to the left of the sink. The cab to the right of the sink. GreenDesigns, I can't switch then because the cabs are 2 different sizes. The 2 on the fridge wall are much bigger than the ones on either side of the sink. dianalo, I like it a lot too but it doesn't match the light. You're right it is very far off. I've left the cabs lights on and when People have been over, from friends to contractors, and without me saying anything, they have all commented on it. And it wasn't good comments. Thanks Casey, I feel like a pig in a poke but the company is about 8 hours away. They did not have any large enough in stock and the sheets had to ordered from another country. So viewing and choosing was not an option. Since they made the lights they assured me they could match the glass with the blues and greens in the actual lights. My bad. Do you know the person who has broken then up and joined them together? that may be a option. Thanks everyone. I talked to them yesterday and emailed them the pics and they are going to have a meeting today and get back to me.