A shade carrier is the metal fitting that supports a lampshade on a lamp or light fitting, holding it securely in the correct position relative to the light source. It may take the form of a gallery with screws to grip the neck of a glass shade, a set of arms or a ring that clips around a lamp holder, or a wire frame, known as a harp, that rises above the bulb to support a fabric shade.
On Victorian and Edwardian oil lamps, shade carriers were usually brass galleries fitted to the burner, sized to take glass shades with a standard fitter diameter, and the same sizes were carried over into early electric fittings so that existing glass shades could be reused. Pendants, wall lights and student lamps also used various carriers and galleries, many of which were finely pierced or cast. Original carriers help confirm the date and authenticity of a lamp. When buying or converting antique lighting, it is important to check that the carrier fits the shade securely, sits at a safe distance from the bulb and has not been weakened, since a loose shade is easily broken.
