Home decor throughout the mid-20th century was inspired by distance era, nuclear themes and contemporary, cutting-edge designs predicated on functionality and natural types. However, some pastoral design elements still found popular favor, especially with the newest phenomenon that attracted moving images into the family home: television. Meanwhile, the “Golden Age” of Western-themed films and television took place throughout the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s.Rustic novelty lamps of this era were affected by iconic pictures of the Old West.
Accessory Lighting Produced for TV
The low luminosity of early television displays required low background light for your best viewing. To ease eyestrain from viewing television in full shadow, the TV lamp was invented as a supply of soft lighting. Typically made of ceramic or plaster, TV lamps were shaped into figurines of individuals, objects and animals. Western-themed TV lights comprised lamps shaped like horses, stagecoaches, covered wagons and wagon wheels. Dozens of horse lights layouts were produced, largely due to the popularity of TV cowboy personalities like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.
Lamps in Motion
Highly collectible as a result of lack of lamps in good shape, motion lights were well-liked novelties in the 1950s. Rotating cylinders powered by the heat of the bulb place the lamp’s images in motion. Antique steam engines were a frequent layout, as were the brilliant flames of forest fires. Scenic mountain slopes and Niagara Falls are frequently exhibited on these lamps. Hopalong Cassidy movement lights are uncommon finds on auction sites and have sold for hundreds of bucks.
Classic Chalkware Lamps
Get a glance of kitschy, cowboy and Western-themed vintage chalkware lamps at numerous online auction sites or antique collector’s sites. Chalkware lamps were made from plaster and were sold as both TV lamps and novelty table lamps, often featuring fiberglass lamp colors with stitching around the borders resembling Western-style rawhide lamp shades. It is more challenging to discover a classic chalkware lamp without some type of damage, as plaster is more susceptible to paint flaking, cracking and chipping.
Decorating With Vintage Novelty Lamps
Rustic vintage TV lamps make accessories at bookcases, on floating shelves or at box-style wall cupboards. Screen a collection of Western-themed TV lamps on built-in shelving enclosing a living family or room room television. Use a vintage motion lamp as accent lights or a nightlight in a retro or vintage-styled bedroom or a kid’s bedroom but place it on a high shelf or dresser to get security. A vintage chalkware lamp on an end table, sofa table, desk or foyer table makes an intriguing conversation piece in any room with a Mid-Century or eclectic appearance.