What is a steampunk lamp?

A steampunk lamp is likely going to be elegant and simple — a factory-style fixture with a brass base, perhaps topped with a white or clear glass shade. The fashion movement of the same name influences the look of steampunk lamps. This movement brought together technology and design inspired by the steam machines of the 19th century. As a design concept, steampunk can feel elusive. Unlike movements such as Arts and Crafts or American Craftsman, which are rooted in specific historical periods, steampunk combines an imagined past with the present and sometimes even the future. In the late 1980s, writer K. W. Jeter coined the term steampunk to describe his science-fiction stories, which were set in an idealized version of Victorian London. Since that time, steampunk has evolved, emerging as a design style and a subculture. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary steampunk lamps from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.