Pair of French Brass Table Lamps with Green Adjustable Shades

Pair of French Brass Table Lamps with Green Adjustable Shades

This pair of French brass table lamps, dating to circa 1970, combines the classical silhouette of the bouillotte lamp with the clean geometry of 1970s design. Each lamp features a brushed brass square base supporting two cylindrical light shafts, each topped with a flat circular dish. At the centre, a threaded rod and thumbwheel allow the shade to be adjusted in height, giving the design both practical versatility and visual interest.

The truncated-cone shades are covered in deep green paper and finished with black edging. Their rich color contrasts beautifully with the warm brass, while the opaque surface softens the illumination to create an intimate, subdued atmosphere. Elegant and understated, these lamps bring a refined decorative accent to a desk, console, or pair of bedside tables.

Brushed Brass and Deep Green Shades

The appeal of these French table lamps lies in their considered combination of materials and finishes. The brushed brass bases and cylindrical supports have a restrained satin sheen, while the flat circular dishes introduce subtle horizontal accents. Together, these details create a balanced composition that feels both architectural and decorative.

The deep green shades provide the strongest visual contrast. Their truncated-cone shape reinforces the lamps’ geometric character, while the black trim sharpens the outline. When illuminated, the shades diffuse a warm, subdued light suited to reading corners, bedrooms, and intimate sitting rooms.

Adjustable Design Inspired by Bouillotte Lamps

The central threaded rod and thumbwheel allow each shade to be raised or lowered. This adjustable feature recalls the functional principle of the traditional bouillotte lamp, an 18th-century lighting form originally associated with gaming tables and later adopted for desks and side tables.

Here, that historical idea is reinterpreted through the restrained lines and geometric volumes of the 1970s. The dual-light arrangement adds a distinctive profile, while the adjustable shade makes the lamps practical for different settings and lighting needs.

French 1970s Design in the Manner of Jacques Quinet

These lamps reflect the French tradition of combining classical references with modern materials and simplified forms. Their satin brass construction, crisp geometry, and controlled decorative details are characteristic of refined interiors from the period.

The design is described as being in the manner of Jacques Quinet, whose work is associated with elegant French furniture and interiors. Without further documentation, this should be understood as a stylistic attribution rather than a confirmed maker identification.

A Refined Pair for Desk or Bedside Lighting

With their balanced proportions and adjustable shades, these lamps work particularly well as a matching pair. Place them on bedside tables for a coordinated bedroom arrangement, or use them on a desk or console to introduce a warm metallic accent.

Their deep green shades also complement mahogany, walnut, lacquered furniture, and other richly toned materials. In a library or sitting room, they provide discreet lighting while contributing the polished character of French mid-century and 1970s decorative design.

Details

• Type: Pair of two-light table lamps
• Style: French modern / classical revival
• Period: Circa 1970
• Place of Origin: France
• Materials: Brass and paper-covered shades
• Base: Square brushed brass base
• Supports: Two cylindrical brass shafts with flat circular dishes
• Adjustment: Central threaded rod with thumbwheel for shade-height adjustment
• Shades: Truncated-cone form in deep green paper with black trim
• Lighting: Two light sources per lamp
• Finish: Uniform warm gilt brass patina
• Condition: Good overall condition; shades remain in fine presentation condition
• Attribution: In the manner of Jacques Quinet
• Use: Desk lamps, console lighting, or bedside lamps

Dimensions

Dimensions per lamp:

• Height: 51.5 cm / 20.3 in
• Width: 34.5 cm / 13.6 in
• Depth: 22.5 cm / 8.9 in