Antique Bridge Lamps

Buy the best antique bridge lamps selected and recommended by interior designers. By Vanessa Weber.

Gorgeous, classical, regal, and looking like something on a bridge over the Thames in London, these antique bridge lamps are a magnificent testament to a time where lamps has style and grace, and where on bridges not just for light, but for ambiance. Take a long stroll through this collection and see what we mean. You home will benefit from one or more of these lamps.

Jump to More Ideas
Antique Bridge Lamps

Buying Guide

Bridge lamps are one of the lighting fixtures that became immensely popular during the transitional phase of various art movements. It was prevalent during art deco as well as Nouveau, thanks to the rising popularity of bridge and other card games as a leisure activity.

Today, these lamps make for excellent accent pieces. Not to mention that they are functional as well. Swap your mundane reading light with an antique bridge lamp and you have a functional centerpiece in your bedroom.

Here’s a small guide that shows you how to shop for one of these beauties.

A bridge lamp is a floor lamp that was used to illuminate the floor or a table used for recreational games, like the bridge. It can be identified easily by its unusually long base and a bridge arm that houses a downward directional light.

The base can be made of cast iron, brass, bronze or zinc, which were the metals that were prevalent in lamp making at the time, while the lampshade can either be glass or fabric. Almost all manufacturers of lighting fixtures made bridge lamps in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In fact, these lamps continued to be manufactured well into the 1950s.

The metal base in a bridge lamp is 54 – 60 inches tall. This makes it just about the perfect height for a reading lamp if you place it next to the bed. But the height also makes it highly prone to tipping over if it gets knocked or bumped. So, you’ve got to ensure that you place it flush against a wall to prevent this from happening. For this reason, bridge lamps are commonly placed in corners.

Also, many manufacturers, like Tiffany used a heavy metal base or a lead ring under the base to prevent the lamps from getting knocked over. Check to see if the lamp you like is base heavy or has the lead ring contraption under the base.

A lot of antique bridge lamps have the metallic bases in immaculate condition, but come with damaged lamp shades. That’s more common in lamps with fabric lampshades which might have worn out or frayed with time.

However, lampshades are easily replaceable with an antique or a modern replica. There are dozens of options to choose from. Most bridge lamps in those days used a conical lamp shade. But designs like floral, geometrical shapes or contemporary ones also make for excellent décor pieces.

As long as you can source an authentic base and extension arm, go ahead and buy it.

As is the case with any antique lighting fixture, it is highly recommended that you look for signs or markings that helps you identify the manufacturer and year. In case of bridge lamps, the markings were mostly stamped on the base or under it.

The older the lamp, the more difficult it will be to find the markings because it can get faded or difficult to read due to the patina.

There are many online public resources that help you identify antique lamps and ascertain their monetary value. All you need to do is click some pictures of the lamp and upload them to these websites.

Best Ideas

Bridge floor lamp

Lavish and detailed to utmost perfection - this Victorian lampshade comes with the material structure and immensely beautiful floral accents along with the charming fringe and silk ribbon to complete the look.

Antique bridge lamps 2

Bring some antique elegance into your living room, with this exquisite bridge lamp. Designed in the 1920's, the lamp stands on a round base with fine metalwork, while holding a hexagonal, metal mesh shade.

Antique Bridge Lamp Floor Lamp Vintage Early 1900s Cast Iron Dark Gold Finish

Antique Bridge Lamp Floor Lamp Vintage Early 1900s Cast Iron Dark Gold Finish

The slim design of this exceptionally efficient antique bridge lamp makes the interior a new dimension. The whole cast iron structure is durable and beautifully fits with subtle shade lamps. Perfect detail for the living room.

Bridge lamp shade

A stunning antique floor lamp having an X-like base with 4 bowed rods supporting a tall twisted stem (both are in gold and blue) with collars, widenings, floral finials, a bowed arm. A colourful silk lampshade has gold lacing and glass pendants.

Antique Vintage Bridge Arm Floor Lamp Light Fixture With Slag Stain Glass Shade

Antique Vintage Bridge Arm Floor Lamp Light Fixture With Slag Stain Glass Shade

Elegant lamp, which have sculptural kickstand made of copper. It has hanging lampshade made of yellow stained glass-work in a shape of Campanula. It can be used as a tall table lamp or low floor lamp.

Antique bridge lamps

The Oscar Bach patinated iron bridge lamp has got the pierced decorated bridge arm, swirling leaves and octagonal platform of the base. It adds a sophisticated twist into any home space.

Bridge lamp

Furnish your living zone with this beautiful antique bridge lamp. It features the paper shade with orange color and brass base. It fits perfectly to classic and traditional style in the room.

Bridge lamp ooooo

Bridge lamp - Ooooo!

Tiffany Roman Bridge Arm Floor Lamp

Tiffany Roman Bridge Arm Floor Lamp

When simple contemporary designs are not what you look for, have a closer look at this startling Tiffany style floor lamp. Well-known and beloved design was combined with traditional manufacturing techniques.

Antique bridge lamps 16

Vintage Victorian Bridge Lamp Shade

Cleopatras peacock antique bridge floor lamp hand by peacockgypsy

Cleopatra's Peacock Antique Bridge Floor Lamp Hand by peacockgypsy

Antique bridge lamps 14

VICTORIAN BRIDGE FLOOR / POLE LAMP W/ GRIFFIN FINIAL MARBLE BASE BRASS POST | eBay--Detail of bridge lamp

Antique bridge lamp 3

Only in a temperamental home can stand such an old-fashioned antique-bridge lamp with a velvet coating on shades of red wine.This vintage look is enhanced by the design of a falling lampshade with copper and gold tones and red beads.

Antique wrought iron floor lamp

This antique styled floor lamp will make for an ideal option for completing a sophisticated-looking interior that is packed with refined, elegant style. It comes with the detailed and beautifully styled shade and the lavish, gold base.

Bridge arm lamp shades

This intricately hand painted 1920s tole bridge lamp with dimensional flowers holds a spring garden shadowbox shade in a soft, pastel tones of pink, green and yellow, adding a romantic glow to the space.

Antique bridge lamps 5

Victorian Lampshade and Antique Bridge Lamp

Antique bridge arm floor lamp

Completely restored antique cast iron bridge floor lamp has an incredibly craved top part of the iron stick. The ornamental cravings esambles of bird wing - finished with a traditional white lampshade, made of strong fabric.

Paf 00042 1l jpg

PAF-00042.1L.jpg

Vintage Art Deco Silver Cast Iron Nautical Bridge Arm Floor Lamp W Shade

Vintage Art Deco Silver Cast Iron Nautical Bridge Arm Floor Lamp W Shade

Your nautical interior style lacks something? A proper lighting may help. This bridge arm floor lamp is cast in heavy duty iron. Its intricate vintage lacework design is so artful that it remains in the memory for long.

Reading Floor Lamp

Reading Floor Lamp

The elegant floor lamp for any bookworm. Great for reading and as an additive to the home libraries. Lampshade made of glass with a rich amber hue, which makes the light is pleasing to the eye and warm.

Templeton 1 Light Bridge Floor Lamp

Templeton 1 Light Bridge Floor Lamp

Intricate detailing that embellishes the stand of this floor lamp is not its most stunning element; what grabs your attention first is the beautifully crafted bowl shade handrolled of stained glass (a composition of reds, yellows and greens).

Antique bridge lamps 11

For every fan of the antique appeal this bridge lamp sports the sublime glass shade and the art deco structure along with the design taken straight out of 1930s, oozing that same air of refined beauty and chic.

Bridge lamps 1

The beautiful lampshade of this stylish antique bridge lamp is an excellent way to bring your unique style and character to life. Beautiful ornamental details of the base and handle of lampshades captivate creating a nice composition.

Antique bridge floor lamp revived pieces

Antique Bridge Floor Lamp - Revived Pieces

Our Editors