Just want some opinions as I know this is my house and I can do what I want but my goal certainly isn't to offend the majority of visitors to my home. I have a vintage lamp that I started to restore, it's in pretty good shape as it is. It's from the 40's and my parents used to have it out, so I'm used to it and they never made a big deal about it. Anyway it is a dark metal (pot metal) hawaiin dancer lamp. Originally she just wears a grass skirt and is bare chested. Now, I suppose I could make a bikini top for her or alter a Barbie top, or put a thick flower leig on her, but am wondering if she is offensive in her original condition. She's not out now but when I originally got her and fixed her so she would work I showed a few people and they seemed to be offended by her nakedness. This was well before I had children. I found a picture of one like it here: http://www.hulalamps.com/images/vintage02.jpg. What do you think ladies? Is she fine as she is or does she need a top, or a lei to be a little more modest? I'd prefer nothing or a thick lei to keep her as authentic as possible. As I said, I'm desensitized to her and was just always fascinated that she could swivel her hips. (skirt actually is what swivels, but as a child I thought this was pretty neat).
Atleast it's not the leg lamp from Christmas Story LOL
Thank you everyone! I see what you mean V.M. about what may have happened when I showed someone. LOL, I was impressed with my handy woman skills but I can see how it would come off differently (focus wise). I've decided to put her on top of an even older sewing machine cabinet we have. She'll be out of the way and if I feel like it I might make a lei for her that matches her skirt. I'll use rafia or some natural material and muted tones to match her skirt, but it won't be top priority :-). It was very nice of all of you to answer a question that obviously isn't as pressing as others here :-)!
Yes, I'm kind of a prude and not a fan of nude art. However, she has a little bronze body and her boobs aren't exactly risque or really showing much detail. So, no.. I would not be offended :) Actually, I'm a hula dancer myself, and would love something like that. So kitsch.
Nipples or not there is no reason to cover her chest. Since when did we as a society get so prude!? The female form is a beautiful thing, and as another poster said, you don't see the breasts on famous works of art being covered up, and they're viewed by millions of kids every year.
PS It's a really cool lamp. I love the vintage tiki look!
Maybe it's the fact that she has a skirt on but nothing up top? I bet they'd be really offended by my parents' old rain lamp... that girl had nothing on at all and showered outside in the "rain" :)
Boobies aren't offensive, rock your lamp!.
Oh for Heaven's sake.
I would leave your lamp just the way it is.
Would some people think that a dress should be made to cover a Greek statue of Venus in a museum?
Some things are art and should be viewed as such.
If people are truly offended by an old Hawaiian hula lamp, it seems to me they are the ones who have a problem. Who would even see that as nasty? As for kids seeing it, it might draw a few giggles, IF they even paid any attention to it at all.
My mother in law had a teak carved hula dancer, not a lamp, but she was topless and displayed in her home for over 50 years. No one thought a thing of it or sat around discussing how her breasts weren't covered. It was a non issue.
I would enjoy your lamp just as it is.
Maybe the reaction you got was more because of your excitement over it. That sounds bad and isn't quite what i meant but i can't think of how to say it.
If it was just sitting on a table and i had my kids over for a playdate i probably wouldn't notice or care, But if you make a point of Winding her up and letting her hips go and calling attention to her, i might have acted prudish. does that make sense? Just my opinion,
I have a ton of vintage things. Don't alter it, it decreases the value, PLUS people love to see old things like that. You simply don't see them anymore. Oh and if you decide it is offensive or something i'll gladly take it off your hands. =) Just kidding. Leave it like it is, it's a great piece.
Oh and on a side note, my boyfriend has always wanted the leg lamp from a christmas story! LOL
I dont see any problem with it. I suppose you could always get a removable bikini top for when your prudish friends come over.
LOL! Leg lamp is originally what I thought of when I saw the title of your post! ;)
I think it's fine. She's not "realistic" as in skin tone and nipples, so I wouldn't worry about it. Before looking at the picture I thought a lei might be cute, but I think since it's bronzed like that, a lei might just look chintzy.
I think it's fab and would love to have it my home! Go for it...boobies and all!
I love that lamp--where can I get one? People should lighten up a bit, what is the big deal?
I also vote that it looks absolutely fine. I was nervous at first to read on but only because of my own upbringing. I graduated high school in the early '80s while my mother was in grad school to study sculpture. Her sculptures were life sized with everything hanging out for male and females together...in their super erect state and all. I was so embarassed to have friends over, I never did. Dusting these awful things were part of my chores as well. I'm so glad I'm a mother now! Put out your lamp and enjoy!
You have fond memories of the lamp growing up and I'm sure it is a great conversation starter and thought provoking. It's your personality and that's what decorating your house is all about. It's awesome and I wouldnt change a thing. It's just a lamp for cryin out loud. If someone gets offended by it, well, they probably aren't the type of people you would want around much anyway.
Even if you did put a lei on her, someone would move it with their finger to see whats under it ;)
I think she is fine bare chested.
That is a wonderful lamp and please please please do no alter it with anything. Keep it the way it is.
Hello T., I have to tell you that my children tease me that I'd make a lamp out of their father's artificial leg just to mock the serious side of it. Having friends that are from all the Islands and having children I have to say that I would add the flowers! I do not have a single friend from Tonga,Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, that would have a naked/or bare busted woman in thier homes. Children are exposed to enough things that this might be more than their friends curiosity needs. I know that it might not be true to the piece but in all reality unless you have a desire to have her in your personal bedroom many will not be comfortable with it and the reason we have friends inour homes is so they will be comfortable visiting.
Looks fine to me. Not my style, but not offensive. Your kids probably won't care much if you're matter of fact about it. Their friends might giggle about it.
My fairly prudish in-laws left the figurehead on their boat bare chested for the sake of authenticity. :)
Nipples or no its fine and your house. Please dont put a bikini top on her it is just a lamp. No one would walk around Italy putting bikinis in statues.
LOL! that is exactly the picture I had in my mind-the Christmas Story Lamp!!
Do NOT do anything to her, leave it the way she is and put it wherever you want to in your house. Its not offensive at all. I love it!
I think she's fine. Maybe get her a lai like another poster suggested, but really, the boobs aren't noticeable unless you look directly at her. Hopefully, your guests focus more on you than on her:)
Love the leg lamp!
I never cease to be amazed at how many people are totally offended by the sight of naked breasts. Get over it, people.
I wouldn't worry about it, just enjoy your lamp.
I'm not quite sure why it would be offensive to anyone, as it's not like she's in a suggestive pose, but everyone has their ideas of what's offensive. I think you answered your own question, it wasn't a source of any kind of weirdness for you growing up, and it actually means something to you since it's from your own childhood, so . . . like you say, it's your house. I think she's fine as she is, but I guess it all depends on what message you want to send. Is it the message that other people might be offended by something, so change what you're doing by covering her up? Or is it the message that nudity is no big deal, especially when it's something that's not lurid and has artistic value? I almost feel that by covering her up it makes it more like it's a big deal for her to be topless than if you just leave it.
seriously? i can't imagine that with what people watch on tv these days anyone would be offended by this. i like it. keep her as is...authentic and original!
no, im not offended at all. children should be taught at some point in their life that nude sculptures exist. for those people that want to cover it and who are embaressed are the same ones that will raise the kids to be laughing and causing a disturbance in an art museum. they are probaly the same people who think breastfeeding is inappropriate.
besides, i think a top would make it tacky, cheap, and the dark metal is the best part, please dont cover that, show as much of the metal as possible!!!
Hi T.,
I like the lamp and I would use it wherever, but then I am European and the things I can get away with are different from you. Otherwise how about using it in your bedroom. For people who find it offensive because of your kids. How about mentioning to them that they have already seen your breasts. They were nursing on them. But really the lamp is fine. Have fun. A.
funny you should say that about the leg lamp - that was the first thing that came to my mind when I read the title to your question! LOL
I personally do not find your lamp to be offensive. At least not the one in the link on the page. I thought it was cute.... I think that if you don't make a big deal of it, most other people won't either.
~ Janine
I love it - it's fun! And I don't find it offensive at all. Personally I would not change a thing about it.
I think it is adorable....and I wouldnt be offended. I am sure that people might be amused at the hula dance...but I would find it funny...not offensive!! If you want to get a cute lei to put on her....color coordinate it to your furniture and make her a "modest hula dancer"!!!
It's your house, so ultimately it's up to you. I personally think it's beautiful the way it is and wouldn't change a thing.
I grew up in a home where we weren't allowed to look at National Geographic or go to the art museum for the nude art. However, I also always thought that was totally stupid! I showed my girls the new movie "Babies" and they didn't have a problem with the breasts, but kept complaining about the 'baby teetees.' they are ages 3-7.
I like the idea of using it in your bedroom if you are worried about offending, but I think it's beautiful!
You have it exactly right: it's your house and you can do what you want. I'm a very strong personality, and my opinion is: it's your house, and if a visitor to your home doesn't like something, they can leave and/or choose not to be in your home again. You don't necessarily have to point it out to people who visit, but if you like it, and you're comfortable with it, what's the harm in displaying something that came from your parents? Personally, I think people make way too big a deal about nakedness. It's not public nudity, so what is the big deal? (sorry... the very strong personality came out! haha) Part of my opinion stems from my passion about breastfeeding and the fact that people make WAY too big a deal about women who breastfeed in public.
And yes, at least it's not the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.... LOL
Ok, from the picture it doesn't look like there are visable nipples? No nipples - I say fine. With visable nipples - I would say maybe provide some coverage.
I wouldn't think you have to be PC with a lamp in your own home. Would the same adults be offended by a film with a native tribe bare breasts? Your kids growing up with it wouldn't think anything of it. I really wouldn't think kids that visit will look at that close at lamp. Leave it as you wish.
I would use it as is. It will only be made a big deal, if you make it a big deal. It's a great piece. Don't apologize for it.
The Louvre is full of nude paintings etc. Americans are way too uptight about nudity compared with Europeans etc. Do NOT cover it up - that really would be tacky. It's probably worth a few bucks as a collector's item and if you alter it you will lower the value.
REading your question seems to me you're worried about comments that haven't happened yet.
BTW- there's a topless mermaid on every cup from Starbuck's.
I'm an interior designer and if you display the lamp the way you would any other lamp in the house it will blend into the space and add a little fun and family history. If you artsy-craftsy it, then it will look odd and out of place.
leave it alone other than restoring it and maybe putting a more modern simple shade on it.
My mom would hate your lamp and make a snippy remark - but she hates everything - so don't invite her over. ;) enjoy your lamp!
