Styles of Vintage Figural Lamps

The best vintage figural lamps were produced in a number of styles from the late 1800s up to the late 1950s. Later lamps were mostly copies or reproductions of the earlier classic and antique styles. The finer metal, ceramic and chalkware lamps were produced in France, England, Italy, the United States and Japan. These beautiful lamps were designed, molded and finished with meticulous detail and unparalleled attention to quality. Does this Spark an idea?

Art Nouveau Figural Lamps

Art nouveau period figural lamps reached their epitome in France during the La Belle poque period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These lamps were characterized by sumptuous flowing lines and featured beautiful young men, women and children. Sinuous plant forms and flowers were worked into the designs. These lamps were mostly cast in white metal or spelter metal, then bronzed or polychromed. The leading French lamp-makers were the Moreau brothers, Louis Auguste and Hippolyte Francois.

Art Deco Figural Lamps

The finest art deco style figural lamps were produced in the United States and Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. This was the epoch of the Chrysler building and sleek streamliner trains. These figural lamps often featured sensuous nude females shown reclining or dancing. The lamps were cast in bronze or gilded and painted spelter. Popular designers of the often openly erotic lamps were A.R. Gerdago and Enrique Molins Balleste. Egyptian-themed lamps were made by Ronson Art Metal Works of New York.

Rococo Figural Lamps

Rococo figural lamps were made in Germany and England but reached their peak in occupied Japan, after the second world war. They were made of ceramic bisque, porcelain and chalkware in a throwback style paying homage to the 17th century European rococo style. These lamps were exquisitely painted and glazed in pastel colors, often with touches of gold.