Svenskt Tenn table lamps

This rare pair of table lamps in glass and brass was retailed at Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1950s. They are exemplary of Swedish mid-century design, where clarity of form, fine materials, and subtle color contrasts were key elements. The design is minimal yet refined, emphasizing the beauty of geometric simplicity and material quality.

Each lamp is built on a cubic glass base in a striking cobalt blue tone. The glass is polished with smooth edges, giving the lamps a solid yet luminous presence. Rising from the base, brass fittings form the lamp holder and support structure. The brass elements provide a warm contrast to the cool blue glass, balancing elegance with vibrancy. The lamps are topped with a brass support frame intended to hold shades, though no lampshades are included. When illuminated, the brass fittings reflect the light warmly while the glossy glass bases retain their deep and saturated color.

Svenskt Tenn, founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, became one of Sweden’s most important design retailers, known for its collaborations with leading architects and designers of the 20th century. The store was particularly influential in shaping Swedish taste during the mid-century period, offering furniture, textiles, and lighting of high craftsmanship and modernist sensibility. These lamps exemplify the refined yet bold aesthetic associated with Svenskt Tenn’s offerings.

The pair remains in excellent condition with only minimal signs of age, preserving the clarity of the glass and the warm tone of the brass. Their proportions make them suitable as table or bedside lamps, while their strong presence ensures they function equally well as decorative objects.

Each lamp measures 14 cm by 14 cm at the base (approximately 5.5 x 5.5 inches) and stands between 35 and 45 cm in height (approximately 13.8 to 17.7 inches), depending on the shade used.