THY COLLECTIBLESTHY COLLECTIBLES Rainproof Handmade Chinese Oiled Paper Umbrella Parasol 33" Blue & White Flowers

I got this umbrella to hang upside down as a pendant lamp shade. It adds exotic elegance to the room. I put one of those mult-color lightbulbs inside it, the kind GE makes.Some people mentioned difficulty in unfolding the umbrella. I was uncharacteristically patient with it, and laid it by a heat source for an hour to "soften" the oil and paper. This made it much easier to open. I very gingerly teased the rods and paper out from the folded/packaged condition, and gradually opened it fully over about an hour. Slow and steady won the race. No tearing at all. Give it a few hours to off-gas and you're set. There is a latch in the handle rod that locks the umbrella in the fully open position.

Great condition and super pretty, however like the other reviews I'll be airing it out for awhile, definitely a funky smell.Update after a few days open airing out tge smell completely went away and smells lile an oil painting now lol

This lovely parasol arrived a day early; I live in NYC and the one and only problem with this item is that everyone stops you to find out where you bought it! A treasure.

This umbrella is very beautiful, the only issue is there were already a couple small tears in the paper when received

Happy with this purchase. It does have an Oder however it was not over powering and faded after a few days.Used it outside in the rain and even provides a little protection from the sun.

The paper has been so heavily lacquered ((or whatever they sealed the paper with)) makes it look translucent and yellowed and it gives off a strong smell. The spokes on the interior are a flexible plastic that I feel is not as nice as the typical bamboo spokes. And they capped to tip of the umbrella with a bright red plastic cap which clashes horribly with the blue flowers. It’s pretty enough, especially if you spend a couple bucks to paint the cap blue to match, but leave it open outside for an afternoon before you use it… otherwise you might get high off the smell…

Worked extremely well, a great help in 90+ degree weather at my son's graduation ceremony. Beautifully made and sturdy.

Beautiful color horrible smell that does not go away