Arvid Böhlmark table lamp

The very rare table lamp, model 6942, designed by Arvid Böhlmark and produced by Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik in Sweden, is a refined example of early 20th-century Scandinavian lighting design that merges functional clarity with decorative sophistication. This lamp illustrates Böhlmark’s capacity to interpret emerging modernist and Art Deco sensibilities through the lens of traditional Swedish craftsmanship.

Executed in a carefully balanced combination of lacquered metal and brass, the lamp’s design is defined by its vertical elegance and rich material contrasts. The circular base is adorned with fine concentric ridges, giving it a textured, architectural quality that sets the tone for the columnar stem above. The stem itself is segmented into polished brass detailing and a central band of black lacquered metal—an interplay that evokes both structural integrity and refined ornamentation.

Crowning the composition is a wide, shallow conical lampshade in a distinctive green lacquer finish. Trimmed with a thin brass rim and topped with a decorative brass finial, the shade is both restrained and expressive. Its green tone offers a muted but vivid accent that contrasts harmoniously with the brass and black components below. When illuminated, the lamp casts a warm, directed light, ideal for use as a desk or accent lamp.

This model’s Art Deco influence is evident in its symmetry, geometric discipline, and layered materials, yet it remains firmly rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition through its craftsmanship and attention to proportion. The materials—solid brass and enamelled metal—have aged gracefully. The brass components have developed a natural patina that softens their luster, while the lacquered surfaces show only minor wear, enhancing the piece’s vintage character without detracting from its visual integrity.

Arvid Böhlmark, founder of Böhlmarks Lampfabrik in the late 19th century, was a pioneer in Swedish lighting manufacture. His company played a pivotal role in transitioning Swedish lighting from gas to electric and became one of the country’s most respected producers of domestic and architectural fixtures. Known for combining modern design trends with superior material and technical quality, Böhlmarks became a cornerstone of early Scandinavian lighting innovation.

This lamp, model 6942, stands as a highly collectible piece, in excellent vintage condition with well-preserved lacquer and intact original components. It reflects the synthesis of modernist elegance and traditional craftsmanship that defined Böhlmark’s legacy, and it remains a distinguished example of pre-war Swedish lighting design.