Southwestern Antler Lamps & Rawhide Shades

In Jackson, WY the town’s square is decorated with arches made from Elk antlers. It is truly unique and you can capture the same spirit with antler lamps. Small lamps can be made from white tail deer antlers while large chandeliers may have tiers of elk antlers with rawhide lampshades. One of the most distinguishable lamps is created using moose antlers, unmistakable with their broad dark palms and dark rawhide lamp shades.

Each year, organizations like the Boy Scouts will search for the prized sheds. If you ever discover antler sheds in the wild, it is thrilling experience. Antler lamps bring that same spirit into your home and can transform your setting’s ambiance in a most exciting way. Antlers are available in varying qualities that are graded like rare coins. The highest quality is awarded an “A” grade. The grading system, indirectly, has to do with the length of time the sheds lie on the ground before being found. The longer they are left in the wild, the more they deteriorate. New antler sheds will be a darker brown color. Sheds that are not discovered soon will begin to bleach in the sun until they become a chalky white. Another factor is chew marks from small animals and stains from wet ground or moss.

There are also different techniques for making the antler lamps themselves. Some lamp makers simply glue the antlers together. Others may lash them together with rawhide thong for a rustic Indian look. And some of the most attractive antler lamps may use a combination of both, being glued, drilled and screwed together, then the holes sealed and wires hidden for a natural look. High end lamps will almost always feature rawhide lamp shades. Each antler is slightly different than any other, so each antler lamp is a unique treasure and is absolutely fabulous for rustic western lighting. Give antler lamps with rawhide lamp shades a place in your home and you won’t be disappointed. Copyright © Mission Del Rey. No part of this article or images may be used without permission.