Einar Bäckström table lamp

This is a rare table lamp, model 5014, designed by Einar Bäckström and produced by Einar Bäckströms Metallvarufabrik in Sweden. The lamp dates from the mid-20th century and is constructed from brass and leather, materials that were frequently used in Swedish decorative arts and lighting design during the postwar modernist period.

The design consists of a wide conical lampshade in brushed brass, mounted on a slender vertical stem wrapped in brown leather in a continuous spiral. The leather covering appears tight and clean, enhancing both grip and texture while offering visual contrast to the metallic elements. The shade has a broad top finial in matching brass, mechanically fastened and proportioned to the overall mass of the upper structure. The base is circular, slightly domed, and also finished in brushed brass, with a small integrated white plastic push switch located near the stem.

The lighting effect is soft and focused downward due to the shade’s flared geometry and the internal white finish, which helps reflect light without glare. The bulb housing is supported by an angled brass arm inside the shade, allowing direct light dispersion onto the surface below while the upper part remains softly illuminated.

Einar Bäckström was a Swedish designer and metal craftsman known for producing elegant yet functionally resolved lighting and household metal objects. His metallvarufabrik (metal goods factory) was active in Sweden and created a range of high-quality decorative items, often in brass, characterized by restrained form and refined detailing. This model is marked on the underside with the EB torch logo, the model number 5014, and the text “Made in Sweden”.

This piece measures 43 cm in height and 31 cm in diameter, which corresponds to approximately 16.9 inches high and 12.2 inches in diameter. It is preserved in excellent condition, with the brass showing a uniform patina and the leather intact, without signs of significant wear.