Mid Century Modern Frederick Cooper Adjustable Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp, c. 1970s

A refined American reading lamp by Frederick Cooper of Chicago, composed around a narrow telescoping stem, weighted circular base, and elongated barrel-form shade. Its adjustable height and directional light preserve the practical intelligence of the pharmacy-lamp form while the softly aged brass gives it considerably more presence than the anonymous lighting humanity now orders in flat boxes.

Era: c. 1970s
Style: American Mid-Century Modern / Hollywood Regency
Maker: Frederick Cooper
Origin: Chicago, Illinois
Form: Adjustable pharmacy or reading floor lamp

The Piece

The lamp rises from a substantial stepped circular base through a slender adjustable column, transitioning into a curved arm that positions the light directly over a chair, desk, bedside, or reading surface.

Its elongated half-cylinder shade is constructed in brass with subtle banded detailing and an integrated toggle switch beneath the housing. The shade can be repositioned at the neck, while the telescoping stem allows the overall height to be raised or lowered according to use.

The interior socket retains its original Frederick Cooper, Chicago maker’s label. The lamp is shown illuminated and was functioning at the time of photography.

History

Frederick Cooper established his Chicago studio in 1923, initially working as a sculptor and watercolorist before applying his interest in form and material to lighting. The company became known for combining brass, glass, wood, ceramic, and fabric in lighting designs that ranged from traditional decorative lamps to streamlined modern forms. (Wildwood)

This adjustable model dates to the 1970s and belongs to a family of brass pharmacy and reading lamps produced by Frederick Cooper during the period. A closely matching example is documented with an adjustable height of approximately 36 to 55 inches, while other Cooper pharmacy lamps of the decade feature similar weighted bases, curved arms, directional shades, and approximately 22-inch projections. (Chairish)

Product Details

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Its narrow footprint slips beside a sofa, lounge chair, desk, or bed without surrendering useful floor space. More importantly, the adjustable stem and focused shade make it genuine task lighting rather than a decorative object pretending illumination was an afterthought.

The unpolished brass surface gives the lamp warmth and visual depth, allowing it to sit comfortably among antique furnishings, modern upholstery, dark woods, or more restrained contemporary interiors.