Einar Bäckström table lamp

This rare table lamp, model 5014, was designed by Einar Bäckström and produced by Einar Bäckström Metallvarufabrik in Sweden during the 1940s. The design exemplifies early Swedish modernist lighting, merging utility with artisanal detailing in a compact and sculptural form. The lamp consists of a circular brass base with a domed conical shade and a central shaft wrapped in finely executed black leather. A brass switch is mounted on the base plate, maintaining an integrated and tactile user interface.

The shade in brass hasar a naturally aged patina, diffusing a soft, warm light through its wide opening. The underside of the shade is painted white to enhance reflectivity and evenly distribute the illumination. The central column is wrapped with a spiraled band of black leather that enhances grip and adds textural contrast to the polished metallic surfaces. The leather wrapping also introduces a subtle vertical rhythm to the otherwise minimal form.

Einar Bäckström was a Swedish designer and metal craftsman who operated a small-scale but respected workshop during the mid-20th century. His work, while less prolific than that of his contemporaries, is marked by technical refinement and a strong material sensibility. His metal goods, including lamps, reflect a fusion of modernist ideals with traditional Swedish craftsmanship, emphasizing form, function, and tactile quality.

The manufacturer, Einar Bäckström Metallvarufabrik, was known for producing limited runs of high-quality brass objects, lighting, and small furnishings. Items from this workshop were frequently commissioned for private interiors and bespoke projects, and today are considered rare examples of early Scandinavian lighting design.

The lamp measures 31 cm in diameter and 42.5 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 12.2 inches in diameter and 16.7 inches in height. It remains in excellent condition, with only minor patina on the brass surface and no structural or electrical faults.