Vintage Brass Library Lamp, c.1980s
Viridian Eclection
The Lamp A vintage brass library lamp of linear, architectural form, with balanced proportions and a warm polished brass finish over metal construction. The light is focused and directional. Where ...
The Lamp
A vintage brass library lamp of linear, architectural form, with balanced proportions and a warm polished brass finish over metal construction. The light is focused and directional.
Where the traditional banker's lamp carries a green glass shade, this one takes a cylindrical metal shade, a cleaner and more modernist reading of the same silhouette. The shade tilts and the arm adjusts, so the beam can be placed precisely.
The dual ended halogen bulb configuration throws a warm, ambient glow that flatters wood tones, leather and natural materials. An inline rotary dimmer sits on the cord.
History & Provenance
The lamp draws on the banker's lamp form first popularized in early American libraries and financial institutions, a type also known in the trade as a piano lamp. The cylindrical shade and stripped back detailing mark it as a later, modernist interpretation of that design.
It is marked to AIW Corp. The components carry their own maker names: a Leviton inline rotary dimmer and an original cord with Heyco strain relief.
The dating is drawn from those components and from the construction, giving a period of about the 1980s into the early 1990s. This is not an antique but a well made vintage piece, carrying the aesthetic weight of early twentieth century design without the fragility.
Product Details
| Era | c. 1980s to early 1990s |
| Maker | AIW Corp. |
| Form | Desk and library lamp with adjustable arm and tilting shade |
| Style | Banker's lamp, piano lamp, modernist |
| Materials | Metal construction with polished brass finish |
| Finish | Warm brass, likely plated |
| Shade | Cylindrical metal shade, directional |
| Lighting | Dual ended halogen bulb configuration |
| Controls | Inline rotary dimmer, Leviton component |
| Cord | Original cord with Heyco strain relief |
| Power | Standard plug in, 125V |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
| Condition | Excellent vintage condition. Minor surface wear consistent with age, including light patina and subtle marks to the brass. Hardware intact, the adjustment mechanism functions smoothly, and all electrical components appear original and operational. No major dents, damage or structural issues |
| Function | Fully functional |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
The adjustable arm and tilting shade make it equally suited to a desk, a console or a reading corner. It gives warmth without clutter, structure without heaviness, and intention without effort.
Light of this kind is what makes a room feel considered rather than decorated. It lifts the wood, leather and paper around it instead of competing with them.
Because it is vintage rather than antique, it can be used every day. The silhouette has never left service, which is the reason it still reads as current.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
