Lisa Johansson-Pape attrib. table lamp

This table lamp, attributed to Lisa Johansson-Pape and produced by Valinte Oy in Finland during the 1950s, combines brass, opaline glass, and a perforated metal shade to create a distinctive mid-century Scandinavian form. The lamp features a tall, gently tapered opaline glass base with a smooth matte surface that diffuses light softly through its structure. The cylindrical shade is constructed from expanded brass mesh, forming a rigid yet visually light enclosure with a fine diamond pattern. The shade is secured by small brass fittings, and the top is finished with a flat glass diffuser that sits neatly beneath the mesh, contributing to an even and controlled upward glow.

The use of brass mesh is characteristic of Scandinavian lighting experiments in the postwar period, where designers explored how perforations and textured materials could shape the expression of light. When illuminated, the shade casts a subtle geometric pattern and allows light to escape in a warm and softly filtered manner. The internal glass diffuser helps distribute the light evenly, ensuring that both the surrounding surfaces and the opaline base are gently illuminated.

Lisa Johansson-Pape was one of Finland’s leading lighting designers, known for her emphasis on functional clarity, material sensitivity, and atmospheric illumination. Her work often explored glass and metal in combination, favoring forms that were simple but refined. While the attribution is consistent with her style, the lamp also reflects the broader production aesthetics of Valinte Oy during the 1950s, a period when Finnish manufacturers emphasized craftsmanship and experimentation with new lighting materials.

The lamp is in excellent condition with small signs of usage. The brass shade shows minor surface wear consistent with age, while the opaline glass base and the glass diffuser remain clean and intact. The structural elements are well preserved, and the lamp maintains its original proportions and components.

The diameter of the shade is 22 cm, and the total height is 41 cm, corresponding to approximately 8.7 inches in diameter and 16.1 inches in height.