(A) Can you imagine a more adorable light? Usually the only French chandeliers with glass canopies are by Lalique. This is, in fact, the first and only fixture I've ever had with a glass canopy! No problem, only nearly 20 years of scurrying hither, thither and yon in The Search. The canopy is signed Heldly (should I know the name?) and Made in France. The quality of the bowl is right up there with the very best of the pressed glass masters such as Genet & Michon or Hettier Vincent. Really!! The whole affair hangs down a mere 17 inches as shown (chain can be added or taken out), and the bowl (and its ring) is only 7 inches across. If you have "just the right spot" this is positively guaranteed to put a smile on your face every day, or HUMBUG! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(E) "Less is more" wins the day once again, with this cute little Moderne fixture. It hangs 12 inches long, and is about 18 in diameter. The glass, that very rare clear etched 30's glass, is thicker than 1/4 inch. Sorry, this one's SOLD. The good news is that I have purchased another, virtually identical except that it's larger, with a width of perhaps 24 inches. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(F) Moving right along to a few short American fixtures, this classic wedding cake (upside-down, get it?!), nicely ribbed, stepped and decorated, "takes the cake." Oooooo, sorry! It's about 14 inches long and the metal fitter's been rechromed. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

Sorry, 10 inches across all gone!! SOLD!!!

(H) I've got a pair of these cuties... the glass has a nice bit of opalescence to it, so the light is warm. They're about a foot long, six across. With a new chromed fitter. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(I) And there's nothing French about this, but so it goes; life isn't perfect all the time. It's American, probably from the 30's, and "streamlined moderne." It's a SUPER light source. You can use a high wattage frosted incandescent bulb or a new spiral energy-saver. Those come in the equivalent of a hundred watts, run cool, give off a really nice even light, and last forever. The canopy is something that I've made out of two "pans," a six-inch and a five inch. I've holes drilled around the periphery of the top of the bottom pan for heat escapement. This one is just sprayed aluminum, but I could have it chrome or nickel-plated. There wouldn't be any nubs on the top piece, it would be smooth as seen in the next picture. This one is 15 across and 12 deep (including the canopy). The other option for a canopy is to buy a reproduction canopy. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

This one's a little smaller and a slightly different configuration. Disregard the bright spot at the bottom, the bulb is too low inside the light, which I would fix. This one measures 14 across and is 11 deep including the canopy. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(J) The glass on this fixture is smoother than any baby's hinder, that much I'll venture. It is so beautifully made it will knock you back into last week once you have it in your hands. And the light that emanates from it is equally splendid -- I guess there's some vaguely opalescent quality to the glass; plus you'll get a largely shadowless light. Well, this is all my own exalted opinion, and I'm far from impartial! I put the mounting apparatus together out of new parts and had them plated in a brushed nickel. I'm not displeased with the results. The fixture hangs down exactly 17 inches from the ceiling. Prediction: you will adore having this in your life!!!

Ken and Jeff's lives are brighter, crisper, and closer to enlightenment, now that they're basking in this glow! SOLD!! And, if you're still reading and aren't too discouraged, I have three identical fixtures in the works, with shades that are about 9 or 10 inches across. I can fashion the rod to hang at any length, "Custom Jack" a votre service!

(L) TWO of these splendid French 20's iron and glass lighting boxes can be yours! They're eminently practical, as well as handsome. The frosted glass creates a soft, diffused light. There is a thumb screw which allows the bottom panel to be swung open for easy bulb replacement. And... you can light up the world with these! There's no electrical fixture with them, you just install some 2, 3, or 4 bulb holder right into your ceiling box, then screw this fixture to the ceiling directly (each corner has a hole for that purpose). Voila! Measurements: 20 by 15 overall, 8 inches deep. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

Sorry, these were too simply marvelous to last; they are SOLD!!!

Oh, how rude, one is SOLD!!! Not to worry, however; I have one more just like you see it, and another with the same shade in pink and white, tres shabby-chic (with identical metal)! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Q) This blazing beauty is bound to buoy and bolster your ... spirits. It hangs about a foot and is a little wider than a foot. The metal, in its original bronze finish, contrasts nicely with the brightness of the opalescence, but it would be stunning in brushed or bright nickel, n'est-ce pas? (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(R) And speaking of our French amis, here's a visual delight. The metal's shown "dans l'etat" but can be redone in nickel or ... (your choice). It hangs about 24 inches as shown. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(S) This older fixture belongs in "other styles of French lighting," but I couldn't resist showing it here because it's such a shortie! Those signed Noverdy shades are the soup-to-nuts, huh? And the bronze patina, yum-yum. It hangs about 17 inches long. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(T) The glass on this has as many angles as did Bernie Madoff. Well, maybe a few less... The wrought iron mount -- simple in design, nicely hammered throughout. With its porcelain American socket, compliments of Yours Truly, there's no limit to the wattage. Perfect for a small entryway or hallway, 17 inches long by about 7 across. (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(V) This glass is convex and enameled, believe it or not! The fixture hangs quite close to the ceiling (about 8 inches overall), and it's about 19 inches across. Sheer French Modernist Spartanism doesn't get any better, huh?

So sorry, Scott bought this rare and special Modernist light for his new San Francisco kitchen! SOLD!!

(W) An unusually high-quality, crystal-clear glass holophane shade about 10 inches across, attached to an aluminum fitter from the 30's or 40's, and with a porcelain socket. Overall drop, about 6 or 7 inches (variable as the glass is held in place by three ball and chain links). (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(X) Lucky you, I have several of these wonderful, Art Deco styled (and from the period) holophane shades, which are mounted to aluminum holders from the same era or perhaps a little later. As you can see, the glass is suspended by three chains with a ball at the end of each, so they're adjustable -- to consider the size of the bulb. These shades are petite, only about eight inches across. Perfect for a small space like an entryway or even a closet. Lots of nicely diffused light, too (the holophane, a French invention, is designed specifically to diffuse and actually amplify the light). Decorative, practical, have I missed anything?! Oh, yes: the fitter. These are ultra-rare all-aluminum pieces and my stock is almost depleted. I will be experimenting with an (ugh) new metal fitter soon... stay tuned... (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)

(Y) This 14-inch diameter alabaster shade has been restored to perfection (by yours truly); it's as smooth as Baby's ... cheek. It only hangs down about 15 inches overall, an ideal candidate for a lower ceiling (but Mister Magician can easily make it longer). I have a pair! (e-mail Jack to start the conversation)