The Piece

An extraordinary pull-down torchiere floor lamp, brass with cast ornamentation, dating from the late 1930s to early 1950s.

The piece combines sculptural geometry with warm materiality — brass fluting, floral relief at the base, and a basket-weave diffuser that glows in amber and burgundy when lit.

Its most distinctive feature is mechanical: the entire lamp stem functions as the switch — pulling gently downward engages a hidden click mechanism to activate the light. This was a hallmark of pre-1950s innovation, an alternative to rotary and chain switches found in high-grade lamps of the period.

The torchiere form — upward-facing shade with secondary diffuser — creates a halo of light, warming the surrounding wall and ceiling. The shade’s sculptural metal cowl, now hand-painted in matte black, tempers the glow and gives the lamp modern presence. The golden lattice of the inner shade transforms the light into a woven pattern, making the lamp as decorative unlit as it is functional illuminated.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style

• Tall torchiere floor lamp with fluted brass column

• Pressed brass base with floral and scroll relief

• Pull-down mechanical on/off switch integrated into stem

• Ribbed metal socket housing with leaf-form arms securing the shade

• Hand-painted black upper shade with custom-fit amber glass insert

The form bridges Art Deco refinement and Hollywood Regency opulence — part architectural, part theatrical. Its balanced proportions and functional innovation make it an enduring statement of design evolution.

→ Materials

• Solid brass and cast metal base components

• Pressed glass inner diffuser in amber-burgundy crosshatch pattern

• Custom top reflector (hand-painted matte black, fitted by you)

• Original brass column, polished but retaining soft aged patina

Brass of this period was often alloyed with a touch of copper to achieve that deep gold tone that mellows to warmth with oxidation. The etched and pressed diffuser pattern is typical of American production by companies like Rembrandt, Radiant, or Troy Sunshade.

→ Technique

• Cast and pressed brass components assembled by hand

• Electroplated finish (now aged to a soft patina)

• Mechanical pull-stem switch wired internally to socket assembly

• Fitted decorative woveb diffuser and metal reflector

The mechanism — still fully operational — speaks to craftsmanship built for decades of use. It’s the sort of invention rarely seen in contemporary manufacturing.

History & Provenance

Likely produced in the United States between 1935 and 1950, this lamp belongs to the lineage of American Art Deco and early post-war design. Companies such as Rembrandt Lamp Co. (Chicago), Stiffel (Chicago), and Radiant Lighting (Cleveland) produced mechanical pull-down models marketed as “one-motion elegance.”

The torchiere itself — French for “torch” — became a central feature of living rooms in the interwar years, symbolizing both progress and luxury. Its light wasn’t just functional; it created atmosphere — the cinematic glow of an evening at home.

Your restoration — repainting the reflector in black and matching it to the golden wicker glass — beautifully bridges vintage engineering and Viridian modernism.

Condition

Excellent working condition with authentic patina:

• Brass polished but not stripped; retains depth and tone

• Pull-stem switch fully functional

• Wiring tested and secure

• Custom black top shade in excellent finish

• Glass diffuser original and intact

Completely operational and visually striking — an ideal blend of authenticity and artistry.

Product Details

Item: Pull-Down Torchiere Floor Lamp
Date: c.1935–1950
Origin: United States
Material: Brass, pressed glass, painted metal
Mechanism: Pull-stem light activation
Condition: Excellent restored vintage condition
Style: Art Deco / Hollywood Regency / Mid-Century Transitional

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Because it unites light, sound, and motion — a design meant to move.
The click of the pull, the warm glow of brass, the lattice of amber glass — it transforms a room into an experience.
This is not simply a lamp; it’s a piece of functional sculpture from a time when utility and beauty were one.

Perfect if you want a piece that:

• Adds historical glamour to an intimate corner or reading nook

• Marries mechanical intrigue with sculptural grace

• Balances warm metal with dark modern surfaces

• Feels both cinematic and personal

When lit, it becomes a vertical hearth — golden light blooming upward into the room.