Barley Twist Vanity

A barley twist lamp is a table lamp or floor lamp that has a spiraling base. Usually, the bases are solid mahogany wood, but other types of wood and even metal are sometimes used. Find a variety of lamps from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

The term “barley twist” refers to thin spiraling forms. Most often when barley twist is used, it relates to furniture. During the 19th century, many chairs, tables and casegoods featured barley twist legs. You can find a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.

A classic barley twist refers to a specific attribute of a piece of furniture. The “twist” refers to a furnishing’s twisted form — in a table’s legs or in its trim, for example — that resembles a twisted stalk of barley sugar. The twist was frequently made of beech or walnut.

Barley twist legs were originally cut by hand until the invention of the lathe, which assisted with creating the twisted design. Barley twist legs are named after sticks of barley sugar and feature a spiral look. Browse a selection of furniture featuring barley twist legs on 1stDibs.

Barley twist furniture dates back to the Jacobean and Stuart eras in England and the Louis XIII and Louis XIV eras in France. During this time, many furniture makers produced chairs, tables and case goods with twisty legs. The name barley twist comes from barley sugar candy enjoyed at the time. Shop a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.