This lamp is very beautiful.  We have it against wall with strong color and it really shows up well.  The glass was very well packed in lots of styrofoam and arrived intact.  The only scary moment was when the bottom of the lamp pole didn't seem to want to screw onto the base.  I had read that was a problem in other reviews.  But I backed it off and just very gently "felt" which way it wanted to thread and then it went on fine.  The lamp is really heavy which gives it a high quality feel.  Not really bright reading lamp, but a stunning dining and living room addition.  We bought two.