Art Deco Lady Lamps
Buy the best art deco lady lamps selected and recommended by interior designers. By Vanessa Weber.
Art deco lady lamps have the ability to add a sense of femininity, charm and history to a space without being gaudy or overdone. Also, depending on how you style your home, art deco lady lamps will fit in seamlessly with both contemporary or more traditional decor. Our design experts have put together a list of the best art deco lady lamps for sale. So, let’s dig in.
Art Deco Lady Lamps
Buying Guide
Vanessa Weber
Interior Design Expert
Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.
At its peak, the art deco movement was ubiquitous in the world of furniture, textile, architecture and even fine arts to an extent. Luxurious and bold furniture pieces influenced by colors, motifs and geometric forms sourced from across the continent made eye-popping centerpieces in homes and offices around the world.
But it enjoyed a short stint of fame, as the world of design transitioned into more modern styles inspired by the dynamic changes happening around the world. Come 1990, art deco started to make a roaring comeback in the collectibles and decorators market and its demand hasn’t waned since.
Art deco table lamps and lady lamps in particular are incredibly popular and if you are looking to buy one for yourself, then here’s a checklist to ensure that you make an informed purchase.
The terms ‘Art Deco’ are loosely thrown around these days because of the high monetary value that authentic pieces from the 1920s and 30s command. Unscrupulous sellers might add these terms to their product descriptions to grab eyeballs or to inflate the price tag.
And then there’s the world of counterfeits to deal with. So, you have to be diligent about your purchase. Identify the authenticity of the piece before you swipe that card. Buy only from reputed sources.
Know the difference between Art Deco, Art Nouveau (a period preceding Art Deco by decades), Art Moderne and Art Deco Revival, which are newer pieces created to mimic Art Deco pieces.
Revival pieces are usually cheaper than authentic art deco pieces and unless you are a connoisseur, you’d hardly notice the difference.
Art Deco lady lamps are believed to have risen in popularity soon after the Paris International Exposition. That was way back in 1925 and it introduced the world to the astute depiction of balance, proportions, and style inspired by the Greco-Roman ideologies.
There are many distinct styles to pick from. The most notable ones are Egyptian and Roman styled statuettes and silhouettes. Tiffany-styled lamps with the base shaped like a lady works perfectly for bedrooms or side tables. In the living room, an exotic lady statue adorning a lamp will serve as the perfect centerpiece.
The Art Deco movement also witnessed the use of newer materials and craftsmanship techniques like bronze, gilt-bronze, chrome plating, steel and a variety of glass.
Frosted, clear and colored glass are common in art deco lady lamps and they give you aesthetics and functionality by exuding a warm, subdued glow. This brings us to the next most important aspect of selection.
Last but not least, we have the lamp itself. Vintage art deco lamps may not necessarily be electric ones. It can be oil wick lamps, candelabras or replicas of Aladdin lamps. There’s no denying that these offer an irreplaceable charm when ignited. But how practical will they be in a real life set up today? If you are looking for something practical and functional, an art deco revival lamp with an LED bulb might be a much better choice than a vintage antique piece.