For a second, let's assume a Philistine's point of view: a light fixture is merely a device for holding a light bulb. Most of the work is done by the light bulb itself and the attendant electrical wiring within one's dwelling. So why pay extravagantly for a mass-produced shade? It might be useful to decide that the realm of art has works of art, that design has works of design, and that while good design can be art it also has some utilitarian responsibility to price itself more realistically than $15,000. Something mass produced at that price can still be driven on the highway, for instance. I'd say that unless readers report shoddy goods, this is a welcome new source... assuming there is no copyright infringement or bogus claims of authenticity.

I would say they are a reproduction shop. For that lam I could only find it made in copper or steel yet this site sells it made from aluminum. Another dead giveaway is at the bottom of their webpage it says chinese wholesale four times and the artichoke lamp is manufactured in Denmark.

When in doubt, I always scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about the company - and sure enough, there it was:

"Buy wholesale products at wholesale price from leading Chinese wholesalers, enjoy online wholesale and become a wholesaler now!

China wholesale, wholesale from China, buy wholesale products from Chinese wholesaler"

Run away - They're selling garbage.

OK, I get not buying a Chinese knockoff, because it might be poorly made, yadda yadda yadda.

But seriously - my CAR cost $15K. Who can possibly think it's feasible to charge $15K for a light shade?

Yeesh.

I agree that $15K is quite a lot for a lamp. I'm sure a good part of that expense is that the lamp is handmade and pretty intricate. It might take someone two weeks to make just one lamp. On the other side, how is Dofaso making a knock-off at 1/20th the price?

While I'm skeptical myself that the product would be superior quality given its price point, the fact that the item is made in China doesn't support any arguments for quality. My Maria Yee casegoods, for example, are made in China by skilled craftspeople. To this point, it's possible that the shades are made by children, and nearly a given that the laborers are not paid a living wage.

Ikea products aren't known for high-quality at their price point either. Recent unionization and labor relations notwithstanding, I believe they pay a minimum wage and do not employ children.

Somehow $800 for a lampshade is a great find? Sheesh!

"It might take someone two weeks to make just one lamp." -HAHAHA as if this is makes $15k a less insane amount. I could live for half a year on that money.

Just because i really want to make some of you get even more bent out of shape on the price tag, I'd like to point out that there is a $66,000 version made from glass: http://www.dwr.com/product/lighting/ceiling/artichoke-lamp-large-glass.do?sortby=ourPicks

Excellent. $66,000 is what I make after 26 years in the work force. Absolutely obscene.

Lucy Lamare - that's more than what I made last year...

Price notwithstanding: I LOVE this lamp! Maybe I could do my own - smaller - reproduction for my own home!

And here's another reproduction on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Poul-Henningsen-Artichoke-Pendant-Lamp/dp/B003X3UK6A/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1313181804&sr=1-1

i LOVE knockoffs, especially if the original is freaking $15,000!

why should one "run" from this company?

You can have a look at the real photo of it:
http://blog.dofaso.com/?p=22

This company is a COMPLETE FRAUD. I got a lamp... it's made of crap. It looks nothing like the lamp pictured on the website. I'm trying their generous return policy which requires that you get an "RMA" number from them. WHen you type in the web address given, here is the message you receive:

You are about to log in to the site "dofaso.com" with the username "RMA", but the website does not require authentication. This may be an attempt to trick you.

This returns you to their web site and there is no address given for returns. I REPEAT--THEY MAKE CRAP AND ARE A FRAUDULENT COMPANY LOCATED IN CHINA.

I received my new snowball last week, it is a fantastic product, beautiful design and sleek look. We haven't installed it yet but I'm confident it will be everything we expected.

The price and service from dofaso is great. However, it took about three weeks for delivery.

Have a look at it and let me know your opinions.
http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x359/tleeds29/DSC_0865.jpg

POOR QUALITY FAKES I received what was advertised as a Poulsen PH5 and it is a poor quality fake. When I requested a refund they refused to pay. Don't deal with these people.

Well I can tell you that the website www.dofaso.com is selling fakes. I know this because they are claiming to sell a lamp design of mine! It was bought to my attention from one of my real retailers. The details of the shade are completely wrong. The wholesale price they are claiming is about the correct RRP, but the Retail price they have is ridiculous.

Just received my PH 5 pendant lamp from dofaso.com, the price is great!
It is a reproduction, I should tell you that it is 99.9% as same as the original one.
You guys can check the pictures below:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/6937535840_53af347d8f_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7083612477_1e5f7da6c5_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/7083610189_0904d4ef64_b.jpg

I was really seduce by this website, like the other one, Siljoy.com ... I think that it doesn't work anymore actually, but there's no doubt to have : free shipping (I'm living in France, if I want to by something like a lamp in UK, the shippings costs me $31.00, I cannot imagine the price if I want to buy an Arco lamp !!!! ) + a ridiculously price ... The confusion comes because "in the style of" doesn't appears in their description ... Have a good day

Hi,
The items are high quality reproductions, but is as same as the original in appearance and function. If you are interested, please let me know the item you may require and I can send some actual photos to you.
Thanks and best regards.

Danielle Zho

Sales Department of Dofaso.com
Email: Service@dofaso.com
http://www.dofaso.com

That was the reply I got after asking about the authenticity of their products.

I order a fixture from this company, it "Fucsia 3 Three Light Suspension Lamp" , the item arrived in 3 weeks, and I was shocked with the RUBBISH that I paid 490 US Dollars for, add insult to an injury, before I ordered I asked all kind of questions to the same person who posted the last comment "Danielle Zho" .. about the quality the reply was it is the same quality as the manufacture without the lable !! .. and the respons WAS very fast.

Now .. I responded back asking to return that "thing" .. and there is no response for 3 days so far .. and when I paid for the item on paypal there was a phone # , I did call the phone # .. no answer, there is also somone with the name "Alex" to ask any question and to communicate with that individual via skype/MSN/etc .... and that "Alex" never responded back or found.. I am certainly pissed .. I deal with people with trust ..and was willing to spend over 3000 dollars worth of light fixtures if that item trun to be a good quality .. but it turn out ot be a piece of JUNK !!! ..

Don't buy anything from that web site, the pictures are the original .. though the item isn't.

Hamdi

We were in love with the bocci lights and found a site called Rosray that sold them for about $100 each. We knew it was likely imitation but wanted to give it a try. I have to say that after seeing the original ones in person, these imitations are about 99% true to style and quality! So thrilled about the find that we are buying a few more.

I mention this because during payment, the Rosray site is actually listed as Dofaso lighting. And yes, the shipment does come from Hong Kong.