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.

  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!!!