Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2009
The Year
Acquisitions
Art of the Americas: July 2008–June 2009
Table lamp
designed 1927–28; made 1927–31
Designed by Donald Deskey
Manufactured by Deskey-Vollmer, Inc.
Overall: 33 x 11.1 x 13.3 cm (13 x 4 3/8 x 5 1/4 in.)
Silverplated brass, glass, electrical fittings
Classification: Tools & equipment
Object Place: New York, New York
Accession number: 2008.1416
Location: John Axelrod Gallery (American Modern: The 1920s and 30s)
Description: The base is composed of a silver-plated brass rectangular box, with three rising "steps," with pointed, triangular edges, cut into the front edge. The box is topped by a smooth, flat platform. The flat spine of the lamp stands perpendicular to the base, and supports three congruent triangular boxes, stacked vertically, each of which houses a lighting element. Each triangular casing has a flat, silver-plated top and sides, and is cut back towards the spine of the lamp at a 45° angle to reveal each bulb, hidden behind a frosted glass plate. When lit, the lamp illuminates downwards, while the reflective surfaces of base and the tops of the lower two triangular boxes reflect indirect light back up into the room.
Provenance/Ownership History: Early history unknown; by 1987, owned by Fifty/50 (gallery), New York, New York; 1987, sold by Fifty/50 to John Axelrod, Boston, Massachusetts; 2008, given by John Axelrod to the MFA at part of The John Axelrod Collection (Accession Date: December 17, 2008)
The John Axelrod Collection