Svend Aage Holm Sørensen floor lamp

This highly unusual floor lamp, often referred to as a “fishing pole” lamp due to its cantilevered construction, was designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen and produced by Holm Sørensen & Co., Denmark, during the mid-century period. The design is characterized by its sculptural asymmetry and delicate visual balance, combining organic materials with metalwork in a manner that became a hallmark of Danish lighting design during the 1950s and 1960s. The lamp consists of a long tapered teak arm suspended from an angled upright support, creating the impression of a fishing rod from which the illuminated shade is gently suspended.

The structure is executed in solid teak with warm reddish-brown tones and a finely grained surface, complemented by satin-finished brass details at the joints and transition points. The upright stem incorporates a softly curved brass section that introduces a dynamic line to the composition while emphasizing the contrast between the natural warmth of the wood and the metallic elements. The lamp stands on a cast iron base finished in black, formed as a sharply angular tripod-like support that provides both stability and a striking geometric counterpoint to the otherwise slender construction.

Suspended from the end of the teak arm is a pleated Le Klint shade in cream-colored paper. The shade features a faceted spherical form created through Le Klint’s characteristic hand-folding technique, a process developed in Denmark during the first half of the twentieth century and internationally recognized as one of the defining achievements of Scandinavian lighting design. The folded construction creates a textured surface that diffuses light evenly while generating subtle highlights and shadows across the shade. When illuminated, the shade emits a warm amber-toned glow that enhances the architectural folds and provides soft ambient illumination.

Svend Aage Holm Sørensen was among the most innovative Danish lighting designers of the post-war era. His work is distinguished by an experimental approach to form and materials, often combining brass, copper, steel, wood, and handcrafted elements into highly sculptural lighting objects. While many of his better-known designs feature perforated metal shades and expressive organic forms, rare models such as this floor lamp demonstrate his ability to create elegant architectural compositions that blur the distinction between functional object and sculpture.

Holm Sørensen & Co. was one of Denmark’s notable lighting manufacturers during the mid-twentieth century, producing a wide range of fixtures designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen. The company’s output reflects the broader principles of Scandinavian Modernism, emphasizing craftsmanship, material quality, and functional simplicity while retaining a strong artistic identity. Original examples of this fishing pole model are seldom encountered, making it one of the rarer designs associated with the designer’s production.

The lamp remains in good vintage condition with minor signs of age and use consistent with its period. The teak elements retain a rich patina, while the brass surfaces exhibit light wear and natural aging. The cast iron base shows minor surface wear commensurate with age. The lamp has been newly rewired with a brown twisted twin cable in keeping with the character of the original design, ensuring continued functionality while preserving its period appearance. The Le Klint shade presents well and contributes significantly to the lamp’s visual and historical authenticity.

Dimensions: Width 29 cm (11.4 in), Depth 75 cm (29.5 in), Height 158 cm (62.2 in).