Very nice lamp for our particular application. The diffuser is a copper screen which is nicer than what I hoped it would look like since the photos do not depict it well. One review referred to this as being copper "paint" , but I am convinced that it is a rich copper plate and looks exactly like freshly minted copper pennies. The shade is flat black, probably powder coated metal. we have it next to our hammered copper bar height 36" round top dining table. The offset of the lamp base allows it to come closely up the wall and hang a little over one side of the table and give the top a nice diffused light for dining without being in the eyes. It was perfect for this application.