Pair of Mid-Century Carved Onyx Table Lamps With Original Silk Shades, C. 1950

Details

Description

An incredibly elegant matched pair of mid-century table lamps carved from solid onyx marble, each featuring a stepped plinth base … Read more An incredibly elegant matched pair of mid-century table lamps carved from solid onyx marble, each featuring a stepped plinth base and square column with naturally occurring veining in layered ivory, honey, and gray-green tones. The stone exhibits subtle translucency and depth, emphasizing the quality of the material and the precision of the carving.

Both lamps are accented with warm brass details, including turned collars and brass ball feet, and retain their original silk shantung shades, identifiable by the natural slub texture and soft, uneven luster characteristic of true silk. The survival of the original shades adds notable period integrity and is increasingly uncommon.

The design reflects the tailored traditional revival found in high-end American interiors of the late 1940s to mid-1950s, bridging classical architectural form with postwar sophistication. Their balanced scale and quiet palette make them well suited for use as a pair on bedside tables, a console, or flanking a sideboard.

Substantial in weight and presence, this pair offers both visual cohesion and material richness—an elegant solution for interiors that value symmetry, craftsmanship, and authentic mid-century stone lighting.

The lamps retain their original weighted finials, providing stability and reinforcing the quality of their original construction.

Details
• Era: Circa 1948–1956
• Material: Solid carved onyx marble; brass accents
• Shades: Original silk shantung (matching)
• Construction: Stepped stone bases with brass ball feet; felted undersides
• Condition: Very good vintage condition with light, age-appropriate wear; silk shades show gentle patina consistent with age See less