Great design but the construction is quite unbalanced and wobbly.  Almost every time I turn it on/off, the lamp shade tips and makes the lamp fall over.  There is no way to make the lamp shade secure so this doesn't happen.  If you buy this lamp, just be careful when you use it.  Other than that, it's a nice looking design.  The lamp base looks like it's made of ceramic with a metallic finish to it.