I've noticed often on main streets or other areas in old parts of towns, they use black painted poles and the cobra head fixtures are painted black. Is this to make them blend in better or look more antique? I just think the cobra heads look weird painted black, because I'm used to them being silver. Plus when they use regular truss arms painted black it looks weird. When I think of black arms and fixtures I think of more ornate arms and fixtures such as teardrop reproductions.

Here is the reason. 

Nice try Home brew lamps! But then again who knows? nowadays anything is possible