Vintage Bankers’ Lamp

197 Ideas by Vanessa Weber

Nostalgic and fascinating, a vintage banker’s lamp evokes a romantic impression of your space. Typically in green, today’s banker’s lamps come in various light covers. At the same time, they have retained their antique look with their matte or weathered bronzed or metal bases. Whether you place them on a piano or a desk, the appeal of a banker’s lamp with vintage inspirations continues to transcend time. And these selections from our design experts will make you want one for yourself.

Go for this stunning bankers lamp that sports the antique look and the vintage appeal that it offers is a sure way of completing the look of your study or home office along with the semi-transparent design of the shade.

14.96" Bankers Desk Lamp with Pull Chain Switch Plug in Fixture,Vintage Desk Lamps,Library Lights

Classic - would make an awesome gift for a man

Classic Banker's Desk Lamp with Green Glass Shade

Braunste Metal Bankers Lamp

Featuring a solid and beautiful, dark bronze base, this antique lamp represents perfectly well the so-called Bankers lamp style. An ideal addition to a stylish bureau or bedside table. It measures 14,75" high.

Quirky Banker’s Lamp

Banker's Lamp with Green Cased Glass Shade | From a unique collection of antique and modern table lamps at

Table Lamp with Rectangular Tiffany Shade

Kimber Metal Bankers Lamp

Vintage antique emeralite bankers

A touch of antique stylization in the house. This bankers lamp features a solid metal frame with a durable post. Its attractive shade is finished in good-looking green color, so the whole lamp not only provides light, but it also decorates rooms.

Vintage bankers lamp - authentic Art Deco piece. Cast entirely of iron, finished noble black, it sports an adjustable bowl shaped shade affixed to an arched, detailed arm. The base features a dished part to store writing materials.

Rotating Glass Shade Table Lamp

Hevener Hollywood Regency Antique Brass Banker's Table Lamp #KathyKuoHome #HollywoodRegencyDreamRoom

This is the perfect bankers lamp for home office or home library. I purchased it, because I'm a big fan of antique pieces, just like this one. It is finished by the brass.

Ingrid 12" Tiffany Style Bankers Lamp-Stained Glass Butterfly Design Table or Desk Light

13.5" Traditional Bankers Desk Lamp with Glass Shade, Green

Greenalite bankers lamp

We have seen such antique bankers lamps many times in libraries and American banks. A typical banker's lamp combines a modern style, through an unconventional dark finish of the base and a darker shade of green on the glass.

Metal USB Piano Lamp

Oquendo Indoor Table Lamp

Aww...I haven't seen this for years. I had this on my desk in my room, then on my piano. (Antique Art Deco Desk Brass Plated Lamp Unique Emerald Green Glass Shade Banker | eBay)

Solid Brass Camel and Pyramid Accent Lamp

Compact Banker’s Lamp

Odilia Resin Bankers Lamp

More Ideas

Vintage Bankers’ Lamp

Buying Guide

Vanessa Weber Interior Design Expert

Vanessa is a New York–based architectural lighting designer and interior designer who helps homeowners and design enthusiasts understand how light can transform everyday spaces. With many years of experience across residential, corporate, and hospitality projects, she combines technical precision with a practical, real-world perspective. Her guidance empowers readers to make confident lighting choices that enhance comfort, atmosphere, and function in every room and outdoor area.

The classic antique bankers lamp has been around since the 1800s. Brought into popularity by the Westinghouse Corporation, the green shade and heavy metal base just seem to go with a desk. It is also noted that scientific studies conclude that green is responsible for creativity. This could explain the long-lived popularity of the frosted, tempered or pleated glass of bright green.

New designs have evolved that have given different residential and commercial areas cause to use this popular task lighting. If you have been unable to find an antique bankers lamp at second-hand stores or auctions, consider purchasing a duplicate carried by many different retail furniture stores.

What are antique bankers lamps crafted from?

Metal - A solid metal base keeps a bankers lamp balanced and secure. An attractive finish can be of stainless steel, brass or bronze. A metal hanging chain dangles from one side of the fixture. Metal shades are also available to fit a modern or minimalist decor.
Glass - Thick green durable glass is popular for this iconic lamp. However, there have been different glass shades introduced for multiple styles and places to use. White glass shades look more refined with a tall antique bronze base with ornamentation. Stained glass is one such design that also has thick glass and up to hundreds of pieces that create a traditional look.
Light Bulbs - Either incandescent or LED light bulbs can be used in an antique bankers lamp. Older models will require 1 or 2 20 to 40-watt tubular incandescent bulbs while newer models are wired for use with energy-saving LED bulbs.

What are the standard antique bankers lamp measurements?

In addition to the new materials and styles, there are different heights to fit almost any desk area.

Shades - 12-inch to 22-inch shade widths can cover anything from small computer areas to a grand piano that requires a wide light illumination. Always measure for the amount of available light that you will need before purchasing a bankers light.
Stem - Heights can range from 13 inches to 20 inches high. Some models are available with adjustable arms.
Base - The width of the base corresponds with the glass or metal shade in keeping it balanced. These can range from 5 1/2 inches to 10 1/2 inches in width.
Weight - An antique bankers lamp is heavy compared to regular desk lamps. This is due to the heavy glass shade and substantial metal base. These weights can range from 3 to 10 pounds depending on the style and size.

How much is an antique bankers lamp?

Older models can be found at auctions or second-hand stores in the $20 range. However, they may need some work with wiring, touching up of colored glass and scratched bases. New bankers lamp models can range from $30 to $900 depending on the design, craftsmanship and size.

How to clean an antique bankers lamp?

Light dry dusting should be done on a regular basis. Bulbs also need to be dusted to keep them clear and bright.