Unusual table lamp

I can’t decide whether I love or hate this lamp, but I find it interesting. It’s a recent find by a picker friend, and he believes it’s from the 1960’s or 70’s and is in the Brutalist style. That was my first impression, too, but then I saw the plug, electrical cord and light sockets, all of which appear to be original. They look to date to the 1920’s or 30’s, twenty or thirty years before the Brutalist style was invented! So, what style IS this lamp? Certainly not Art Deco, and I don’t think Bauhaus. I’d love to know your thoughts.

 

I'd love to see the other side of the plug, but it does look old. Not so sure of the cord itself.

 

With that hole it looks like it could double as a birdhouse!

 

I wonder if someone had some old lamp parts around and used them to make this one ? It seems rather useless as a lighting fixture . I cant shake the feeling something else went on top. It seems like a student project to me.

 

The holes are where the bulbs screw in!

 

Hadn’t thought of that, but could be!

 

Modernist.....

 

It could be a marriage - Deco/Moderne base with a custom shade straight out of the 70s.

 

Man that's a really kooky lamp.Would it have shades of some kind over those protruding bulbs & were the bulbs tube shaped ? Your pickin' pal needs a pic of a complete illuminated piece.

 

Oh, that's awful. Brutalist 1970s. Inquiring minds really do want to see it lit. I would think round and frosted bulbs.

Debora

 

Looks to be 5 pieces of the same casting spot welded together. Now was this originally a light or a fab job like @johnnycb09 stated? I would think if you go through that much trouble casting the top you would also have a matching cast base.
And PS: It's pretty ugly

 

I agree it’s ugly, and can’t explain why I find it interesting. Maybe just cuz it’s so weird.

 

I agree with Brutalist 1970 and ugly. Very ugly.
But I'm pretty sure there are people out there who will pay good money for it.

 

Ugly and strange sells!

 

Yes, it does. Plus there aren't that many Brutalist lamps, so it would appeal to a collector. I hope.

 

I don't think it's a marriage - base and alloy outer portion fit together too well with the 5 sockets lined up. I've seen those sockets before . . . a European lamp possibly. I'd look for any markings on the base and or sockets (voltage labeling should be present). That plug could be as old as the 20s -30's but they made them for many decades. The cord & switch look to be 40s to 70s commercial looking appliance use type. At any rate, a neat modernist piece . . . install bulbs and enjoy.

 

A lot of similars seen to have come out of Italy.

Debora

 

I love it, and would have grabbed it very fast. That would sell so well here.

 

Oh, and those sockets ate Italian, with typical flex and inline switch of the time.

 

Everyone is saying how ugly it is, but I find it beautiful and fascinating. I can see a frosted globe light bulb in the center of each of those panels. Fab! I agree with the 1970's Brutalist influence.