Floor lamp

This Swedish floor lamp from the 1940s, by an unknown designer, is a refined example of early mid-century lighting that combines elegant materiality with sculptural form. The lamp is defined by its balanced integration of natural stone and metal, a design approach common in Swedish decorative arts during the interwar and immediate postwar years.

The structure features a gently curved stem made of nickel-plated metal, rising in a smooth arc from the base to the shade. The nickel surface has developed a patina consistent with age, lending a warm, softened sheen that underscores the lamp’s vintage character. The curvature of the stem is both graceful and functional, directing light outward while giving the piece an airy and organic presence.

Anchoring the lamp is a substantial circular base crafted from green marble. The marble displays intricate natural veining in shades of forest green, moss, and subtle earth tones, creating a visual and textural contrast with the cool metallic finish of the stem. The use of marble not only enhances the lamp’s decorative appeal but also provides the necessary stability for the slender vertical structure above.

The lampshade is conical in shape with subtly scalloped edges, covered in a beige or light natural linen fabric. This fabric softens the light and adds a tactile, domestic quality to the overall composition. The scalloped detailing, understated yet distinctive, evokes the decorative softness associated with Swedish lighting design from the 1930s and 1940s.

The condition of the lamp is very good vintage, with signs of age-related wear appropriate to its time. The nickel-plated metal shows a gentle patina and minor surface irregularities, while the marble base remains solid with only slight wear visible on its polished surface. The lampshade is clean and structurally intact, with its fabric retaining a consistent tone.

Measuring 46 cm in width, 90 cm in depth, and 161 cm in height (18.1 x 35.4 x 63.4 inches), the lamp is well-scaled for placement next to seating or in corners where ambient light and sculptural presence are desired. As a piece produced in Sweden during the 1940s, it exemplifies the era’s emphasis on honest materials, craftsmanship, and restrained elegance, even without a known designer attribution.