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Vintage Bankers’ Lamp

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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. 

6 Recommendations and 153 Ideas

Updated 02/11/2022
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1
Compact Banker’s Lamp

Compact Banker’s Lamp

An antique banker’s lamp with modern functionality. Featuring a stylish transitional piano-style design with a sleek black shade. The metal stand and base add to the vintage appeal. Connects through the USB port on the base. 

Designer Advice:

With its modern features and vintage appeal, this banker’s lamp is perfect for a kid’s room or your child’s dorm desk. This piece is excellent for adding a midcentury modern touch to the interior. It works best with desks and tables with USB integration, so it’s more convenient to plug in. 

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2
Rustic Banket’s Lamp

Rustic Banket’s Lamp

This vintage banker’s lamp exudes a timeless aesthetic. Perfect for desks, this light fixture offers a bold dose of illumination. Its carved base, matching rotary switch, and distressed bronze finish offer classic yet contemporary tones. 

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3
Tiffany Inspired Banker’s Lamp

Tiffany Inspired Banker’s Lamp

A banker’s lamp with vintage appeal. 74 pieces of hand-cut stained glass are beautifully paired with three jewels and wrapped in copper foil. A solid dark brown resin base holds it together with intricate embellishments. 

Designer Advice:

A stunning piece to add to a maximalist, bohemian, contemporary, and traditional interior. Its black frame and antique-finished base would look great with brass and glass décor. Place it on your nightstand and pair it with a low flower vase and a stack of books. With its attractive motif, we recommend using this as the tallest item in the ensemble.

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4
Translucent Banker’s Lamp

Translucent Banker’s Lamp

This vintage banker’s desk lamp blends well with any desk aesthetic. Its glass shade rests in a sturdy steel base decorated with an embossed pattern for an upscale appeal. Comes with a matching pull chain switch.

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5
Quirky Banker’s Lamp

Quirky Banker’s Lamp

An antique banker’s lamp with green shade. The timeless look references mid-century styles with modern touches from its bright color and glass-blown material. Held steadily in place by a metal base and operates through a pull chain. 

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6
Unique Banker’s Lamp

Unique Banker’s Lamp

Crafted from steel, this vintage banker lamp is refined and elegant. Its offset glass shade in warm color rests on a hexagonal base with an antique bronze finish. A pull chain switch adds to the classy appeal. 

Designer Advice:

With its mix of midcentury modern and traditional appeal, this banker’s lamp will work in the farmhouse, transitional, industrial, and moody interiors. It would be perfect atop a black baby piano or a small guest bedroom desk. Its distinct aesthetic also exudes a classic vibe, ideal for placing on a dark wood-stained finished executive desk. 

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Vintage Bankers’ Lamp

Buying Guide

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.

  • 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.

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.

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.

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

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Best Ideas

Antique Early 1900s Brass Green Cased Glass Shade Banker Library Lamp

Antique Early 1900s Brass Green Cased Glass Shade Banker Library Lamp

I can imagine this lamp in the home library. It features the antique style, brass finish, green cased shade and elegant look. Everyone need to have it in the library room or reading nook.

Vintage Desk Lamp Antique Bankers

Vintage Desk Lamp Antique Bankers

Such a renovated brass antique bankers lamp will be the perfect complement to the cabinet, supporting the art deco style. Once, all bankers worked with such lamps. This one has an oblong shade finished with black varnish.

Brass Hand Library Desk Lamp Chapman

Brass Hand Library Desk Lamp Chapman

This antique banker's lamp will make a style statement in your home office out of hand. A great pick for all those who love unique lighting. Brass base and black shade mounted on an adustable cantilever really look the part!

Vintage antique emeralite bankers

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.

Banker table lamp

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.

Greenalite bankers lamp

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.

Vintage desk lamp antique bankers

Vintage desk lamp antique bankers

Desk lamp with antique finish. Frame is made of wood. Suitable for residential and commercial premises. Received many positive recommendations from clients for high quality and neutral design.

Vintage brass desk 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.

Bankers lamp with green cased glass shade from a unique

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

Antique Bankers Desk Lamp Onyx Or Marble Base Brass Dome 1940s Art Deco

Antique Bankers Desk Lamp Onyx Or Marble Base Brass Dome 1940s Art Deco

Opt for this amazing antique bankers lamp that sports the marble base and comes with the brass done to complete the look and appeal of the 1940s design. It will brighten up your space, while the piece itself blends perfectly with all decor choices.

Antique desk lamps for sale

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)

Antique atlas consolidated bakelite desk bankers student table lamp light

Antique atlas consolidated bakelite desk bankers student table lamp light

Commonly known as bankers lamp, this antique desk lamp is a Brown Bakelite with a center inkwell space - no glass insert. Maintained in very Good Condition with only normal age appropriate ware

Rooster Banker-Style 11" H Table Lamp with Rectangular Shade

Rooster Banker-Style 11" H Table Lamp with Rectangular Shade

Vintage style table lamp with amber hued rectangular shade and sculptural rooster shaped base constructed of polyresin with bronze finish. Such design is a warranty of a charming decor with a drop of cottage charm to it.

Antique bankers lamp 7

Antique office lamp, looking as if it was taken straight out of a bank. If you want to enhance your house with some vintage vibe, then such a lamp is just what you need. Iron construction ensures stability and durability.

Old fashioned desk lamp

A gorgeous piece of antique masterpiece, this banker's lamp radiates with old-fashioned charm and glamour. The elongated shade is made of green glass and embedded in a brass-finished metal frame with a round matching base for balance.

Antique piano bankers table lamp green glass by pinkdandyshop etsy

Antique Piano Bankers Table Lamp Green Glass by pinkdandyshop, etsy

Antique brass desk lamps

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.

Desk lamp antique

Antique brass bankers lamp. Original piece from the 1920s. Employs a heavy cast brass construction with matte finish - needs some minor refreshing, perhaps, but the general condition of this unique lawyers lamp is more than fine.

Bankers lamps 1

Made of antique steel bank lamp is an exciting finishing and functional. It works great in the office or as a stylish night light. The whole of the beautifully finished beautifies the details. The thin base adds lightness.

Classic would make an awesome gift for a man

Classic - would make an awesome gift for a man

Hevener hollywood regency antique brass bankers table lamp kathykuohome hollywoodregencydreamroom

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

Bauhaus bankers lamp art deco 1930s produced by bunte remmler

Bauhaus Bankers Lamp Art Deco 1930s produced by Bunte Remmler and designed by Christian Dell | A Life Before

Emeralite lamp

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.

Antique brass desk lamp with alabaster shade a traditional style

ANTIQUE BRASS DESK LAMP WITH ALABASTER SHADE A traditional style bankers lamp with a pale alabaster shade.