The Piece

A tall, architecturally balanced Colonial Revival floor lamp from the early 20th century, turned from richly stained hardwood and crowned with a dramatic woven rattan shade that casts warm, lattice-like illumination. The lamp rises in elegant, stepped stages—rounded baluster, tapered column, and a wide rope-carved base—each contour shaped with the quiet precision typical of pre-war American craftsmanship.

Near the top, a cast-iron fitter anchors a pair of original Leviton brass pull-chain sockets, their soft patina and knurled detailing revealing an era when even electrical hardware was intentionally designed. When lit, the open-weave shade transforms the lamp into a sculptural light sculpture, projecting diamond-patterned shadows across the wall—an atmospheric effect that feels both vintage and unexpectedly modern.

The silhouette is tall and poised, rooted in classical proportion yet softened by the glow of the woven shade. In living rooms, libraries, bedrooms, or moody reading corners, the lamp adds verticality, warmth, and an unmistakable sense of collected authenticity.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style

Authentic early 20th-century Colonial Revival design, defined by:

• A tall, hand-turned wooden standard

• Rounded baluster neck flowing into a tapered mid-column

• Rope-relief carving along the broad weighted foot

• Cast-foliate iron fitter beneath the sockets

• Dual brass Leviton pull-chain sockets (1920s–30s)

• A dramatic woven rattan shade producing patterned, ambient light

The form blends classical American furniture motifs with the early wave of domestic electrification—traditional in spirit, but modern in its purpose and hardware.

→ Materials

• Solid hardwood (mahogany or mahogany-stained birch)

• Cast-iron fitter with foliate ornamentation

• Original brass Leviton pull-chain sockets

• Steel socket arms and internal support hardware

• Early lacquer finish with aged warmth

• Hand-woven rattan shade, richly toned and open-weave

Together, the materials embody the quality of pre-war lighting—durable, honest, and built for decades of use.

→ Technique

• Wood turned on a lathe into multi-tiered baluster and column shapes

• Rope-relief carved into the base

• Cast-iron fitter pressed with botanical motifs

• Brass sockets secured with threaded collars

• Woven shade crafted from hand-split cane, tightened into a dome-like geometric lattice

The result is a lamp where every component was made by hand or machine-assisted craftsmanship, each part contributing texture, silhouette, and history.

History & Provenance

Produced between 1920 and 1935, this lamp reflects the height of America’s Colonial Revival movement. As electricity spread into middle-class homes, manufacturers created lamps inspired by 18th- and early 19th-century woodworking traditions while integrating the newest electrical fittings. Early Leviton hardware—still present here—is highly collectible and helps verify authenticity.

The woven shade, while slightly later in inspiration, carries the influence of the Arts & Crafts and tropical revival aesthetics of the period. Combined, the wooden base and rattan canopy create a piece that bridges American heritage, pre-war craftsmanship, and warm, atmospheric modern styling.

Condition

Excellent vintage condition, with:

• Strong, stable structure

• Warm wood patina and crisp turned detailing

• Fully functional dual brass Leviton sockets

• Smooth pull chains

• A beautifully preserved woven shade

• Minor, age-appropriate surface wear throughout

A well-cared-for example of early 20th-century American lighting.

Product Details

Item: Colonial Revival Floor Lamp with Woven Rattan Shade
Date: c. 1920–1935
Maker: Unknown; original Leviton sockets
Materials: Hardwood, cast iron, brass, woven rattan
Origin: United States
Style: Colonial Revival / Early American / Arts & Crafts
Condition: Excellent vintage with gentle wear
Use: Living room, library, bedroom, entryway, reading corner

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This lamp is more than illumination—it is atmosphere.
The woven shade throws warm, lattice-like shadows, the wood glows softly, and the brass hardware adds a quiet note of authenticity. It blends seamlessly with traditional interiors yet grounds eclectic and moody spaces with sculptural presence.

It offers:

• Gentle ambient lighting with visual texture

• Early American craftsmanship

• Original, collectible brass fittings

• A tall, elegant silhouette that completes a room

• A functional legacy piece that feels both historic and current

A lamp that doesn't merely light a space—
it transforms it.