Pair, Postmodern Table Lamps, Solid Pear-Wood, United States, Circa 1980s

This pair of hand-turned pear-wood lamps is stunning. Substantial, well-weighted, transitional, and elegant all come to mind when thinking about them. While I was not able to locate a manufacturer, I believe that I would have a strong argument in favor of attributing them to Michale Graves design. These lamps are unmistakably the work of an architect, similar to Michael Graves’ approach to lighting design. While the lamps themselves are firmly rooted in the modern era, their overall proportions seem a likely nod to classical or historical references, as they are themselves architectural elements with carefully considered proportions and details.