Bent Karlby wall lamps

This rare set of wall lamps was designed by Danish lighting designer Bent Karlby and produced by Lyfa in Denmark, a manufacturer renowned for its role in shaping Danish modern lighting during the mid-20th century. The lamps exemplify Karlby’s refined design sensibility, combining soft, atmospheric light with architectural form and precision in material treatment.

Each lamp features a round brass wall plate with a narrow, cylindrical arm that projects outward to support the light source. The structure terminates in a gracefully curved opaline glass shade, which is slightly flared and delicately balanced on the metal support. The opaline glass serves as a diffuser, emitting a soft, even light that reduces glare and enhances ambient illumination. The overall construction emphasizes balance and proportion, combining functional clarity with decorative elegance.

The brass components exhibit a gentle, natural patina developed over time, subtly darkening the surface and highlighting the metal’s organic texture. This aged finish enhances the lamps’ vintage character while maintaining their formal integrity. The minimal detailing and clean geometry reflect the mid-century modern ethos, with an emphasis on materials, craftsmanship, and a restrained visual language.

Bent Karlby was a central figure in Danish lighting design, known for his innovative forms and his collaboration with Lyfa, a company that championed modernist lighting throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His work often merged sculptural elements with practical lighting solutions, and this set of wall lamps is a representative example of his aesthetic balance between form and light.

Each lamp measures 23 cm in height, 38.5 cm in width, and 26 cm in depth (projection from the wall). In inches, this corresponds to approximately 9.1 inches high, 15.2 inches wide, and 10.2 inches deep.