Strindberg Table Lamp in Brass and Glass, Sweden Early 20th Century (sold)

Strindberg Table Lamp in Brass and Glass, Sweden Early 20th Century (sold)

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The so-called “Strindberg model” has a truly classic silhouette that designs enthusiasts may recognize immediately. The Strindberg lamp was originally inspired by a lamp on Swedish writer, August Strindberg's desk, but the design of the models produced later would largely differ from Strindberg's own lamp.

Nonetheless, the “Strindberg lamp” remains a classic defined by basic characteristics that all models share: a straight neck, a round base and a curved dome-like glass shade. The design was originally a series of lamps that began to be manufactured by the Karlskrona Lampfabrik in the 1910s, a series that then went under the name ‘tabletop’ lamps. The lamps were made in a national romantic style that was typical of the time with a rustic shape inspired by Old Norse style and early Swedish history. The most load-bearing and visually outstanding elements of the lamp are three brass rods which hold the lampshade up. The rods are framed by a large brass socket on the top, and by a ridged neck on the bottom. There are numerous elements that add to the specialness of this model, including the organic pattern on the round base the brass ring on the glass shade, and the peculiar shape of the shade itself. The blown, frosted glass shade has a beautiful ivory colour glowing yellow when lit from the inside. The length of the neck can be adjusted via a peg, adjusting the position of the lightbulb. Therefore, the light can be customized whether more atmospheric or direct light is needed.

Somewhat ironically, August Strindberg never owned a Strindberg lamp. His was a kerosene lamp that manufacturers later chose to replace with electric lamps while keeping the main features of the design. When Karlskrona Lampfabrik resumed production of its classic tabletop lamp and chose to call it the Strindberg lamp, it was initially as a nickname: in brochures and advertisements during the 1950s proper names were not used, but article numbers. When Ikea started to launch proper names in its catalogues, however, others were also influenced to do the same, and then the name Strindberg lamp also began to appear in catalogues. By then they had already been called informally for so long.

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