In the early 20th century, a Chicago artist named Frederick Cooper found himself captivated by home lighting and electric lamps, which were only common in approximately half of American households during the mid-1920s. Cooper, whose primary media were sculpture and painting, began to design stately, modern table lamps that mirrored the grandeur of the burgeoning architecture in the Windy City.
Cooper accrued some notoriety as a forward-looking lamp designer who combined materials like brass, ceramics, glass and wood to create exquisitely crafted lamps, particularly at a time when the striking chrome finishes and sharp geometric angles of Art Deco lighting had become immensely popular.
The Frederick Cooper Lamp Company was eventually sold to Benjamin Markle and Russian immigrant Leo Gershanov. Under their stewardship after the Second World War, the manufacturer flourished in Chicago and the local lighting artisans at Stiffel gained a formidable competitor. The timing was particularly ripe — the demand for table lamps to furnish new houses exploded, and the company built on Cooper’s artistic reputation and his signature styles.
Lighting designers at Frederick Cooper innovated in the years that followed, integrating alluring materials like glazed ceramics, painted porcelain, marble and jade. Apart from the classic Art Deco designs that defined the studio’s work in its early days, the company’s craftsmen experimented with Asian-inspired designs and produced floor lamps, wall lights, modernist chandeliers and other fixtures in varying furniture styles such as Neoclassical, Hollywood Regency and Empire.
Now owned by Wildwood, the Frederick Cooper Lamp Company has collaborated with many high-profile designers such as Larry Laslo, Mario Buatta and others on a range of lighting projects.
Find an extraordinary collection of Frederick Cooper floor lamps, table lamps and other fixtures on 1stDibs.
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp with Classic column, late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp with Classic column made during the late 19th Century. Originally a kerosene lamp converted to table lamp in the early 20th Century. Newly rewired ele...
Brass
1970s Brass High Table Lamp in Hollywood Regency Style
By Maison Le Dauphin
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice classic table lamp . High in size . comes with a Black shade . so stylish . Maison Le Dauphin in style .
Brass
$990Sale Price|26% Off
H 30 in Dm 17.375 in
Large Brass Antique English Oil Table Lamp by Samuel S. Messenger, Converted
By Messenger and Sons
Located in Miami, FL
A historically significant Messenger's patent brass and cut glass table lamp, circa 1880. Originally designed as an oil lamp, this ingenious creation by Samuel S. Messenger & Sons of...
Brass
French Early 20th Century Empire Brass and Bronze Table Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early 20th-century French Empire-style brazier, which was used as a portable heater burning hot coals or other fuel for interior warmth. This example was converted to a table lamp...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
$3,755
H 28.35 in Dm 11.82 in
Large late 19th Century Neoclassical Table Lamp in Patinated and Polished Brass
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large late 19th Century Neoclassical Table Lamp in Patinated and Polished Brass An exceptionally elegant table lamp in classical style, originally crafted as an oil lamp in the late...
Brass
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp with Classic column, late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp with Classic column made during the late 19th Century. Originally a kerosene lamp converted to table lamp in the early 20th Century. Newly rewired ele...
Brass
Neoclassical Tripod Base Brass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel, Edwin Cole
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass neoclassical dual socket table lamp by Stiffel. The base is an antiqued solid brass tripod with Italianate legs and a segmented baluster. The switch pulls chains end in a unique turned wood finial. Quite impressive in size and form. Most likely an Edwin Cole design...
Brass
$2,418
H 25.6 in Dm 11.82 in
Elegant 19th Century Classical Brass Table Lamp, Converted from an Oil Lamp
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant 19th Century Classical Brass Table Lamp, Converted from an Oil Lamp An impressive and elegantly proportioned brass table lamp in the classical tradition, originally crafted...
Brass
Vintage Brass Table Lamp in Hollywood Regency Style, Hand-Crafted, USA
By Stiffel
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage polished brass turned column table lamp. Hollywood Regency style turned column form table lamp. Crafted of solid cast brass, this elegant table lamp has a polished brass fi...
Brass
French Brass Triple Desk Lamp A lovely piece, a brass triple sconce lamp this i
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Brass Triple Desk Lamp A lovely piece, a brass triple sconce lamp this is a traditional design the shade is in its original Mustard Gold The lamp is all working and in good ...
Brass
1987 Vintage Frederick Cooper Brass 2 Light French Bouillotte Table Lamp
By Frederick Cooper
Located in Dayton, OH
1987 Tall Frederick Cooper two light French bouillotte table lamp in brass with black accents and marble tipped finial. Measures: 7” x ...
Brass
Mid Century Colonial Premier Brass Torchiere Trophy Urn Uplight Table Lamp 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early to mid 20th century table lamp by the Colonial Premier Company of Chicago. Brass trophy urn / oil lamp style base with tulip shaped accents and feet, leading up to a painted co...
Brass
Vintage Frederick Cooper Brass Trumpet Hunt Bugle Horn Table Lamp 38"
By Frederick Cooper
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Frederick Cooper brass instrument table lamp in the shape of a bugle decorated with black tassels, standing on a dark wood base, with a ring shaped finial. 6.5” x 6” x 25.5”...
Brass
Vintage Chapman Brass Urn Figural Footed Stag Elk Table Buffet Lamp Hoof Feet
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Chapman Industries brass urn shaped lamp with Stag / Elk tripod hoof footed base. Circa 1986. Includes an impressive green and white striped shade with cotton woven strings. Dimensi...
Brass
Visual Comfort French Bouillotte Brass 4 Arm Candelabra Table Lamp Tole Shade
By Visual Comfort
Located in Dayton, OH
Large and Impressive late 20th century French inspired Bouillotte lamp by Visual Comfort. Features a four arm candelabra over baluster support and square footed base. The lamp featur...
Brass
French Empire Style Brass Delphin Dolphin Koi Fish Orb Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage brass table lamp featuring a trio of delphins / dolphins / Koi fish supporting an orb and candlestick light. Dimensions: 7.75" x 26.25" / Shade - 12" x 9" / Total Height - 3...
Brass
