French Bouillotte Lamp, Brass Two-Light Base with Red Tôle Shade, 1930s

Tôle gets its name from the French word for sheet metal, and the shade on this lamp is a genuine example of the craft: metal formed into shape, then lacquered and painted rather than left bare, a technique that traces back to Welsh japanning workshops in the 1660s before French decorators adopted it and ran further with color and gilding. The deep red on this shade, banded with a fine gilt line near the rim, sits squarely in that tradition — durable painted metal standing in for the fabric shades used elsewhere on the same lamp form.

Below the shade, the brass base carries the two-light bouillotte configuration in a fluted, cross-hatched central stem, with curved arms ending in engraved bobeches around each candle-style socket. Above the shade, a ring finial tops a rod fitted with a small brass arrow — a motif with roots in French neoclassical ornament, where arrows appeared often as emblems of precision and aim, here used simply as a decorative flourish rather than any specific symbolic claim.

The brass has developed a warm, even tone throughout, and the tôle shade's paint and gilt banding remain intact without flaking or fading unevenly. At 52 cm tall and 35 cm wide, it holds enough scale to anchor a console or desk as a primary light source.

It arrives professionally packed and fully insured — we handle the paperwork and worldwide shipping, with your choice of plug fitted to your country at no extra charge. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

Details
Materials: brass, painted tôle (metal) shade with gilt banding
Dimensions: height 52 cm (20.5 in), width 35 cm (13.8 in), depth 24 cm (9.4 in)
Electrical: rewired and tested, plug fitted to your country at no extra charge
Condition: good condition, light wear consistent with age
Shade: included, red tôle with gilt banding

Condition details available on request.

Electrical details available on request.

Shipping details available on request.

Please see our returns policy.

Provenance details available on request.