Josef Frank floor lamps

This pair of height-adjustable floor lamps, model 1842, was designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. These lamps exemplify Frank’s distinctive approach to modern lighting—merging classic proportions with refined material choices to achieve both elegance and utility. Designed during the mid-20th century, the model 1842 lamps reflect Frank’s enduring commitment to human-centric modernism and his preference for warm, tactile materials.

Each lamp is constructed with a slender brass stem and a circular brass base. The structural lines are minimal and clean, allowing the material’s natural character to stand out. Over time, the brass has developed a warm patina, with subtle tonal variation and soft surface wear that contribute to the visual depth and historical presence of the lamps. The brass elements are mechanically articulated to allow for height adjustment, increasing the lamps’ flexibility in various interior settings.

The lamps are fitted with newly made white fabric lampshades, which are cylindrical and proportionally balanced in relation to the stem. These shades emit a diffused, ambient light suitable for reading or accent illumination. The combination of warm brass tones and crisp white shades creates a refined yet understated aesthetic that aligns with Frank’s design ethos—functional yet quietly decorative.

In terms of condition, the lamps are well preserved, with light signs of wear on the brass consistent with age. The adjustment mechanism operates smoothly, and the new lampshades are clean and structurally sound. These functional features, combined with the quality of materials, reflect the craftsmanship of Svenskt Tenn, a producer known for maintaining high standards in furniture and lighting production.

Josef Frank (1885–1967), an Austrian-Swedish architect and designer, played a pivotal role in shaping Swedish modernism through his long-standing collaboration with Svenskt Tenn. His designs often favored comfort, flexibility, and a rejection of rigid minimalism in favor of livable and inviting forms. The model 1842 lamps typify his approach to lighting, where practicality and aesthetic grace coexist.

The dimensions of each lamp are as follows: the base measures 24 cm in diameter, the shade has a diameter of 50 cm, and the adjustable height ranges from 98.5 cm to 145 cm. In inches, these dimensions translate approximately to a 9.4 inch base diameter, 19.7 inch shade diameter, and an adjustable height range of 38.8 to 57.1 inches.