Denny’s Adventures in Allee Willis’ “Willis Wonderland” (Part 84 – August 2010)

Submitted by denny January 3rd, 2011
Certifikitsch Winner

Stunning Ubangi lamp in my favorite room. I can’t recall if “ceramic” or “chalk”.

In mint shape as far as I know! This is on my favorites list!

6 Responses to “Denny’s Adventures in Allee Willis’ “Willis Wonderland” (Part 84 – August 2010)”

  1. Allee Willis

    I found this at the thrift shop very soon after I moved to LA in 1976. I was always obsessed with soul music and wasn’t sure at first whether I should get it as it was more African than African-American. But thank God I had the sense to plunk down the two dollars as it’s absolutely one of my most favorite lamps of the genre.

    Most notable is the shade. I love it because it looks like a giant tambourine and the way the light throws out of the back of it is gorgeous. I always keep a rainbow bulb in it so she always has a glow.

  2. BRBill

    That’s a really cool lamp, i like it. Have you tried using the shade as a drum head? Looks like it might be good for a few rhythms. What’s it made of, cow hide? A 100watt bulb for a few minutes would probably warm it up enough to produce a few tones, tho i would not use a drum stick on it unless the shade is pretty thick.

    • Allee Willis

      No good as a drum head. It’s made out of stiff shellacked paper and is way way way too brittle. I’ve used almost every surface in the house as a drum or some kind of percussion instrument so I tried this one long ago. It flakes if you even look at it.

  3. denny

    I can’t stand it! $2.00!!!!!?? Makes me want to scream and hit the “jealous button”!

  4. k2dtw

    Great post denny…
    FABULOUS lamp!!.. So cool…someone should manufacture that unique shade design…Wow..

  5. windupkitty

    wow.GORGEOUS!!!! She is SO beautiful!! I truly love this!!! I’ve never seen an upright shade like that before!!! Wow.so glad it resides at the temple of kitsch!!!