Erik Glemme wall lamps

Each lamp features a distinctive lantern-shaped shade composed of vertically arranged, curved teak ribs that expand outward from a narrow upper section before tapering toward the circular base. Fine horizontal threads extend between the wooden ribs, creating a delicate, semi-transparent outer structure surrounding an internal cylindrical paper diffuser. The warm reddish-brown tones of the teak contrast with the lighter paper and decorative brass details. A perforated brass band with a repeating circular pattern surrounds the lower edge of the shade, introducing a geometric element to the otherwise organic construction.

The shade is supported by a projecting teak wall bracket with an angular, tapered profile, reinforced underneath by a slender brass rod. The bracket extends from a trapezoidal wooden wall plate secured with visible brass screws. This construction combines structural stability with a visually lightweight appearance. When illuminated, the internal paper diffuser produces a warm, subdued light, while the surrounding wooden ribs and horizontal threads create a layered pattern of light and shadow.

Erik Glemme (1905–1959) was a Swedish architect and designer whose work encompassed architecture, landscape design, and the design of public environments. He was particularly associated with the development of Swedish modernism and contributed to numerous architectural and landscape projects in Stockholm. His approach combined functionalist principles with an interest in natural materials, carefully considered proportions, and the relationship between architectural elements and their surroundings. The lamps demonstrate this approach through their combination of geometric construction, organic contours, and detailed material treatment.

The lamps were produced in Sweden during the 1940s, a period when Swedish interior design increasingly combined modern functional requirements with traditional craftsmanship. Their provenance from the premises of Amanda Christensen AB at Kungsbroplan 1 in Stockholm provides a connection to a specific historical commercial interior. Amanda Christensen was an established Swedish company specializing in men’s accessories, founded in Stockholm in the nineteenth century. The lamps reflect the period’s interest in integrating individually designed lighting into architectural interiors, where materials, proportions, and light distribution were considered part of the overall spatial composition.

The pair remains in good vintage condition, with visible signs of age and use consistent with its production period. The teak displays a warm, naturally aged surface with minor marks and variations in color, while the brass elements show oxidation and patina. The delicate outer construction and paper diffusers retain their characteristic appearance.

Each lamp measures 16.5 × 25 × 27 cm (approximately 6.50 × 9.84 × 10.63 inches).