Silver Side Table Lamp
A silver side table lamp brings refined illumination to a room, combining practical light with metal finishes found across multiple periods.
Silver Side Table Lamp
When searching for a silver side table lamp, you encounter table lamps and occasional tables fashioned from silver plate, metal, brass, and mirrored glass.
The most common examples on this page are silver plated table lamps and side tables dating from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
Objects range from tall Corinthian column table lamps to mahogany silver tables and occasional tables with fabric elements or glass.
How they were made
Makers utilised silver plate over base metals, alongside solid timbers such as mahogany, walnut, and oak for furniture forms.
Decorative details include parcel gilt, intricate metal work, mirrored glass tops, and specialised shades such as those by Muller Bros.
Listings span from the 17th century through the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras, utilising silver plate, walnut, mahogany, and brass.
What varies in quality
Quality depends upon the weight and purity of the silver plating and the crispness of casting detail on columns and candelabra.
Cabinetwork quality shows in the choice of Cuban mahogany or burr walnut veneers, stability of cabriole legs, and integrity of tray tops.
Mappin & Webb·Muller Bros
The Silver Side Table Lamp Glossary
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver applied to a base metal core such as copper or brass. This method provided the appearance of solid silver at a lower production cost.
- Corinthian Column
- A classical column design featuring an ornate capital decorated with acanthus leaves. It proved a popular form for heavy metal table lamps.
- Cabriole Leg
- A furniture leg that curves out and then in, resembling an animal's leg. It typically terminates in a pad or claw foot.
- Tray Top
- A table surface with a raised edge designed to prevent items from rolling off. This form appears on various Georgian and later occasional tables.
- Parcel Gilt
- Partial gilding where only specific raised or carved portions of an object receive a gold finish. It creates contrast against silver plated or dark wooden surfaces.
Silver Side Table Lamp: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver side table lamp?
It is a piece of lighting or furniture combining silver plate and metal illumination with occasional tables designed for placement beside seating.
These items draw from stylistic traditions including Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Georgian designs.
How do I identify an Edwardian lamp?
Edwardian lamps often feature silver plated metalwork with classical revival motifs produced during the early twentieth century.
Look for column forms and intricate metal work characteristic of the period.
What woods are used in these tables?
Makers utilised traditional hardwoods such as Cuban mahogany, walnut, and oak for silver tables and lamp stands.
Finer pieces showcase burr walnut veneers and tray top borders.
Are these lamps rewired?
Some listings note modern rewiring to ensure the electrical components function safely for contemporary use.
Original metal stands and columns remain intact while internal wiring is updated.