Oscar Bach Lamp with Inkwell

This inkwell is incorporated into the base of an electric lamp. A metal tag applied to the underside of the base is signed “Oscar B. Bach”. Oscar Bach (1884-1957) was a renowned German American metalworker and designer known for his intricate and artistic metalwork. He was particularly active during the early 20th century and is celebrated for his contributions to the Art Deco and Renaissance Revival styles. Bach was trained in German and Italian metalcraft and had ties to the Gladenbeck Foundry in Berlin.

The lamp and shade are cast bronze. The interior of the shade was made using mica. The inkwell features a figure resembling a page boy holding the finial of the lid, which swivels on a stem to open or close. The design incorporates old dominoes with an ivory or celluloid veneer into its sides. The base is adorned with ornate patterns and has a complex shape with multiple curves and edges.