Antique 1920s Art Deco chrome bankers lamp, original not reproduction!!! This stunning looking lamp cries out Art Deco!!! Lovely bakelite on/off switch, although over its 100 plus years it has some age related wear, (mostly to base. Some further cleaning may enhance item). It still retains that fabulous look (displayed with other items for illustration only, for sale separately). Item shown working, but we do not guarantee electrical items and therefore it must be pat tested by a qualified electrician.
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35 cm tall
11 cm square at base
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Art Deco emerged in France around 1919–1939, taking its name from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. This style reflected the era's fascination with speed, technology, and glamour through geometric shapes, opulent materials, and influences from various global and avant-garde art movements. Its history is tied to a period of optimism between the World Wars, celebrated in diverse fields like architecture, fashion, and decorative arts.
Origins and influences
Pre-WWI roots: Art Deco developed in Paris before World War I, reacting against the highly ornate Art Nouveau style by favoring geometric designs, symmetry, and bold colors.
Avant-garde and global art: The movement was heavily influenced by various artistic trends, including Cubism, Fauvism, and the Ballets Russes. It also incorporated aesthetics from ancient cultures like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as African and Japanese art.
The Machine Age: Art Deco embraced the "Machine Age," celebrating the beauty of modern technology and mass production through streamlined forms, geometric repetition, and precision.
Key characteristics
Style: Characterized by bold geometric shapes, strong symmetry, and luxurious ornamentation.
Materials: Incorporated modern and often expensive materials like chrome, glass, stainless steel, and exotic woods, alongside traditional ones like gold and precious stones.
Scope: The style was applied to a wide range of fields, including architecture (like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building), interiors, fashion, furniture, jewelry, and even automobiles.
Decline and legacy
The Great Depression: The opulent style became more subdued during the 1930s due to the economic downturn, leading to the use of less extravagant materials like chrome and plastic.
End of the era: While the movement is generally considered to have faded by the late 1930s, its influence endures today, seen in its enduring popularity and modern design reinterpretations. The term "Art Deco" was not widely used until a scholarly reappraisal in the 1960s.
 
 
The banker's lamp was invented by Harrison D. McFaddin, who filed a patent for his design in 1909 and sold it under the brand name Emeralite. The lamps, featuring a brass base and a distinctive green glass shade, were made under contract in Moravia (now the Czech Republic). The green color was believed to reduce eye strain from early electric lights, making the lamps popular in offices and banks, which is how they got their name.
Key details of the banker's lamp's history
Inventor: American Harrison D. McFaddin.
Invention date: Patent filed in 1909, with production starting that same year.
Original brand name: The lamps were originally sold as Emeralite, a combination of the words "emerald" and "light".
Production: While McFaddin was American, the iconic green glass shades were manufactured under contract at the J. Schreiber & Neffen factory in Rapotín, Moravia (now the Czech Republic).
Design: The classic design featured a brass base and a green glass shade, chosen for its supposed ability to reduce eye strain from harsh early electric lighting.
Function: The design was intended to provide focused, glare-free light for detailed work, leading to its popularity in professional environments like banks and libraries.
Evolution: After H.G. McFaddin & Co. dissolved in 1960, many other manufacturers began creating replicas under different names, such as "Greenalite" and "Verdelite".