A striking pair of French cast iron urn lamps with faux sienna marble finish - warm, classical and ready to use
At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectability
• Origin: France
• Date: circa 1950
• Material: Cast iron with faux-painted simulated sienna marble finish
• Configuration: A matching pair of Classical urns converted into table lamps
• Finish: Richly painted faux-marble surface with warm ochre, honey and sienna tones
• Electrical: PAT tested and fitted with standard UK plug
• Delivery is not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote feature located beside the ‘Add to Basket’ tab before completing your order
Desirability:
• Classic design: Elegant neoclassical urn forms with a richly painted faux-marble surface that brings warmth and texture to any room
• Decorative versatility: Ideal for console tables, sideboards, or bedside lighting in both period and modern interiors
• Quality craftsmanship: Solid cast iron construction ensures durability and stability
• Ready for use: Professionally converted and PAT tested for immediate installation
Heritage, History & Craftsmanship:-
A decorative and stylish pair of French cast iron urns, converted into elegant table lamps and dating to around 1950. Each lamp is finished in a beautifully executed faux-painted surface that simulates rich sienna marble, creating the visual drama of classical stone with the practicality and stability of cast iron. The urn silhouettes are well balanced and sculptural, with generous proportions and crisp moulded shaping that gives them a timeless, architectural presence.
Urn forms have long drawn inspiration from classical antiquity, symbolising refinement and continuity with historic design traditions. Through the 19th and 20th centuries, decorators repeatedly returned to these neoclassical motifs, using them to introduce a note of formality and enduring elegance into domestic interiors. By the mid-20th century, faux-marble techniques - particularly simulated sienna - were embraced for their warmth and theatricality, allowing makers and decorators to evoke the grandeur of natural stone while achieving a distinctive decorative finish.
This pair reflects that spirit beautifully: classical in form, richly characterful in surface, and entirely suited to modern living. PAT tested and fitted with a standard UK plug, they are ready to install and enjoy - handsome, practical lamps that bring colour, texture and sculptural interest to a room.
Styling Suggestions:-
• Use as bedside lamps to bring warm colour and classical symmetry to a bedroom
• Perfect on a console table or sideboard, paired with a mirror or artwork above for a refined vignette
• Choose shades in parchment, linen or warm neutrals to complement the sienna tones
• Beautiful alongside gilt frames, antique brass, dark woods or marble surfaces
• For contemporary interiors, use them as sculptural accents that introduce classical form and painterly texture
• Ideal for adding depth and warmth to calm, tonal schemes - creams, stone, tobacco and olive work particularly well
Explore Every Facet:-
Our high-resolution photographs let you examine this piece in detail, exactly as you would in the showroom. These images form an essential part of the condition report and are intended to provide complete transparency and confidence in your purchase.
Study the urn shaping, the faux sienna marble finish with its tonal variation, the bases and metalwork, and the gentle wear consistent with age — details that confirm their character, stability and decorative appeal.
Sustainable Style:-
Thank you for considering this pair of French urn lamps - a choice that is both culturally and environmentally responsible … in every sense, the most sustainable item is the one that endures.
Vintage lighting and decorative objects allow enduring materials and craftsmanship to continue serving modern interiors, reducing waste and the demand for new manufacture. These lamps have already stood the test of time; their continued use celebrates restoration, longevity and the beauty of re-use.
Purchase with Confidence:-
White’s Antiques carefully selects every item for authenticity, character, craftsmanship, and decorative presence - ensuring that each piece carries both aesthetic and historic value. Each item is described and photographed with care, ensuring complete transparency and confidence in your purchase. We are an established and successful business serving both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our shop at 53 High Street, Arundel, and our Showroom at The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, to experience our curated collections firsthand, explore the stories behind each antique, and appreciate these timeless treasures in person.
measurements
Height:
37 cm
Width:
21 cm
Depth:
21 cm
measurements
declaration
Whites Antiques has clarified that the Pair of French Cast Iron Urn Lamps with Faux Sienna Marble Finish c.1950 (LA556602) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being c.1950
declaration
condition
condition
Good overall condition with minor age-related wear consistent with use.