Art Deco
American, 1929
Graybar Sunshine Lamp
Cast Iron
H=20" W=11.5"
Accession #
This Graybar Sunshine lamp is a striking example of the Zig Zag style of Art Deco which is exemplified by strong, linear geometry. Note the “Staggered Fan” shape which is a key, Art Deco identifier. The lamp also features commonly used, Art Deco floral designs along the base and sides.
The Graybar Sunshine Lamp was touted as a luxurious way to “Bring the sun, into the privacy of your own home!” No need to travel to the beach to get glorious, vitamin-laden sunshine!
Below is an advertisement from a 1929 Saturday Evening Post. Many electrical appliances were still luxury items for the wealthy and aspiring middle class. The cost of the Sunshine Lamp was $49.50 which would be just over $800.00 today.
Now for the neat part. The lamp worked by inserting 2 carbon rods into the device. We were very lucky that ours came with a box of the carbon rods which are now very rare. The front was closed, the device plugged in, then there is a lever on the side that when pushed down would raise the carbon rods to touch the 2 rods above and then voila! intensely bright LIGHT! would radiate out from the lamp. A set of rods would burn for approximately 7 minutes. There is a small tray at the bottom from which the ashes could be removed.
