Travertine and Brass table Lamp

A travertine and brass table lamp with a black chintz shade lined in gold, made circa 1970. Travertine, a warm-toned limestone with a naturally pitted texture, gives the lamp its solid base, while the brass adds a luminous note. The gilt lining of the shade warms the light it casts when the lamp is lit.

The pairing of natural stone and polished metal characterises much of the decorative design of the 1970s, notably in Italy and France, where travertine became a favoured material for tables, lamps and objects. The contrast between the black shade and the pale tones of the stone accentuates the graphic character of this lamp, which will sit well on a console, a desk or a side table.