Victorian-Style Brass Swivel Desk Lamp with Fringed Fabric Shade
Decorative Art; Electric Table Lamp • Likely an American or European commercial lighting manufacturer; mass-produced in the Victorian Revival style
Style & Movement
Victorian Revival / Hollywood Regency
Medium & Technique
Polished and cast brass with a pink embroidered damask fabric lampshade featuring a silk bullion fringe
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th Century (Circa 1960-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18-22 inches in height; vertical orientation; circular footprint
Subject Description
A functional lighting piece featuring a weighted circular brass base, a baluster-style stem, and a mechanical swivel arm supporting a single bulb. The decorative shade features floral damask patterns and a long decorative fringe typical of late 19th-century domestic aesthetics.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the brass shows significant tarnishing and surface oxidation, and the shade exhibits slight sagging and dust accumulation
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Likely residential use followed by donation or sale to a second-hand auction house or estate liquidator; currently located in an auction or thrift environment as evidenced by the 'Auction Time' labels.
Art Historical Significance
Minor art historical significance; it represents the 20th-century trend of historicism, specifically the 'Victorian Revival' which sought to bring 19th-century ornate domesticity into modern homes.
Notable Features
Features a functional articulating swivel joint that allows the light source to be positioned; the shade's distinct pink hue and long fringe are quintessential 'shabby chic' or revivalist markers.
Condition Issues
Oxidation and pitting on the brass base; fraying potential on the fringe; outdated electrical wiring which may present a safety hazard; yellowing of the interior shade lining.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional rewiring for safety; gentle cleaning of the brass with a non-abrasive polish; low-suction vacuuming of the lampshade; keep away from high humidity to prevent further corrosion.