For many, a desk lamp is simply a utility, however, there are benefits in getting something that stands. A bankers lamp has a significant decorative appeal while still remaining functional. If you are in the market for as new desk lamp, don’t settle for the standard cheap desk lamp, go with a bankers lamp that makes your desk unique.
Like me, you want the best option for the lowest price. This can be easier said than done, especially when shopping online. Going through your possibilities is time-consuming and boring. In addition, you might not be sure what to look out for. This is also true when getting bankers lamp.
There are many bad cheap options out there. And while anyone understands ratings, there are certain other criteria you should pay attention to. This includes height, the color of the shade, the weight among others. To help you out I have spent time researching the top-rated, bankers lamps so you can get the best ones available.
My top pick for the best bankers lamp is the luxury green banker’s lamp from Illuminazionedepoca.com. It has all the features you want in a banker’s lamp and undisputed quality, typical of Italian craft products. You can follow this link to head over to their site to see more pictures and get its current price.
The lamp faced some stiff competition. Continue reading to see the reviews of the individual candidates as I can help you find the right choice for your wallet and needs.
- 🥇 Illuminazione d’Epoca Luxury Italian Bankers Lamp
- 🥈 Newrays traditional Bankers Lamp
- 🥉 Oitto Vintage Banker Lamp
- RHlamps Tiffany Banker Lamp
- Newrays White Matted Glass Bankers Desk Lamp
- V-Light Bankers Desk Lamp
- Alera traditional Bankers Lamp
- Catalina Traditional Bankers Lamp
- Ranking factors
- What to keep in mind if you choose a low-priced lamp
- Conclusion
🥇 Illuminazione d’Epoca Luxury Italian Bankers Lamp
This bankers lamp is named Raffaello, in honor of Raffaello Sanzio, one of the most famous Italian painters and architects of the Renaissance. Considered one of the greatest artists of all time and among the greatest interpreters of the aesthetic concept of “Beauty”.
This lamp is the epitome of luxury and attention to detail, made by expert craftsmen in Italy. The solid brass construction is treated with an anti-oxidation treatment to ensure longevity, and the lamp is crafted with the finest materials available.
What sets Raffaello apart from other banker lamps on the market is the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each and every piece. From the carefully selected materials to the handcrafted construction, this lamp is truly a work of art.
Reading the dozens of customer reviews, I realized that this company also offers top-notch customer service. In the unlikely event that the lampshade arrives broken, contacting the seller will result in an immediate replacement. Additionally, the lamp comes with a generous 2-year guarantee to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Illuminazione d’Epoca is committed to providing the best possible shopping experience for their customers, and their excellent customer service is a testament to that.
It also comes with free insured shipping worldwide, a 14-day free return shipping policy, and a plug adapter for use in multiple countries. All of these features make Raffaello the clear choice for anyone in search of a top-quality banker lamp.
It is available in 2 finishes: polished brass or burnished brass. Take a look at the photos and information on their site Other models of luxury bankers lamps are available.
🥈 Newrays traditional Bankers Lamp
Among the many bankers lamps available, many follow the same standard design. Among them, I have found the best option available to be the traditional banker’s lamp from Newrays. The
The Newrays Green Bankers Lamp is a classic and stylish addition to any home or office. The green shade is complemented by a solid brass base, giving it a vintage feel that is sure to impress. The adjustable arm allows you to easily direct the light where you need it most, making it a practical choice for any workspace.
The lamp also features an on/off switch on the cord for easy use. While the lamp may be on the smaller side, it still provides ample light for reading and working. Overall, the Newrays Green Bankers Lamp is a charming and functional piece that is sure to enhance any room it is placed in.
It does not come with the light bulb included but meets all the criteria I consider important for a bankers lamp (found further down). For these reasons, this lamp comes out on top in this review.
You don’t have to take my word for it. You can check it yourself by clicking this link or the button below to head over to Amazon. There you will get to see more pictures, reviews from hundreds of satisfied customers, and its current price.
🥉 Oitto Vintage Banker Lamp
Another strong contender is the traditional Bankers lamp from Oitto. While relatively similar to Illuminazione d’Epoca bankers lamp, this design features a decorative base with vintage brass finish.
In terms of height it is relatively standard: width: 23 cm (9 inches), height: 37 cm (14.6 inches), base diameter: 17 cm (6.7 inches).
Like Illuminazione d’Epoca, OITTO offers great customer service and return policies which are great for online shopping. If you received the lampshade broken you simply contact the seller to get a replacement immediately. Also, the lamp has a generous 1-year guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.
This lamp is on the pricier end but is well worth the price due to its solid construction and guarantee. To check it out yourself, as well as read tons of comments from satisfied customers, follow this link to head over to amazon.
RHlamps Tiffany Banker Lamp
Next to get a spot on this list is this tyiffany-style model from RHlamps. Its decorative shade makes it stand out, while at the same time remaining relatively versatile to go along with virtually any decor.
Lamp Size: 10.6 inches (26.92 cm) in width x 7.4 inches (18.8 cm) in depth x 15.7 inches (39.88 cm) in height, making it a decent tall, sturdy lamp. Weighs in at 5.7 pounds (2,6 kg). The price is average and the quality of the product is good. It doesn’t have many reviews but all the customers are quite satisfied.
The lampshade is meticulously crafted by hand, using high-quality stained glass that is delicately assembled with copper foil and tin wire welding. The lamp is mounted on a resin base that is painted in a rich bronze finish. The lamp is UL certified and comes with an 82-inch wire length and a convenient pull chain switch.
For a slightly more decorative option, this lamp in colored pattern from RHlamps might be just what you are looking for. Click the link above of the button below to head over to Amazon. Here you can read through its reviews and see that nearly every review comments on how beautiful it looks and that it made a lovely addition to their home.
Newrays White Matted Glass Bankers Desk Lamp
Here is another great pick. For some reason, this lamp has flown under the radar compared to its peers. I
The solid, yet graceful metal base gives it the necessary weight which prevents it from easily tipping over. It is topped with a neat amber glass shade for a more neutral look. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty, which offers some extra security.
This lamp is definitely worth your consideration. You can see if it is available to you by clicking this link or the button below to head over to Amazon. Here you can also check out more pictures, customer reviews and get its current price.
V-Light Bankers Desk Lamp
The banker’s lamp(s) from V-Light offers a great combination of price and value. V-Light offers several bankers lamp designs. These include one with a taller, square base, an amber shade option, and one with a white glass shade.
The designs with the green shades are the most
V-LIGHT also offers a warranty on their lamps, but it is limited and is only valid for 90 days. This prevents V-Light from gaining more favor in this review, as a good warranty is worth more than a light bulb which you can get for a little more than a dollar.
Nevertheless, The lamps from V-Light meets all the important criteria for a good bankers lamp. In addition. it offers a design that differs from its competitors. You can check it out for yourself by clicking this link or the button below to head over to Amazon. There you can check out all the different designs and their current pricing.
Alera traditional Bankers Lamp
This bankers lamp from Alera separates itself with its unique design. It has a tall, metal base with an antique bronze finish holding a neat amber, glass shade. The tall metal base gives it a solid weight and makes the construction solid and don’t feel cheap.
And with the light bulb that is included, it is not centered in the shade which makes it look
Overall, it is not a bad lamp, but its flaws prevent it from ranking higher. The design is very nice and is worth a look before you rule it out. You can check it out by clicking this link to head over to Amazon. Here you check out numerous pictures and customer reviews, as well as see its current pricing.
Catalina Traditional Bankers Lamp
The design of Catalina lamp is reminiscent of a vintage banker’s lamp, complete with an attached on/off pull chain under the shade. The lamp has a brass-plated finish and an adjustable frosted-glass green shade that diffuses the light effectively.
This lamp is compatible with A19/E26 60-watt lightbulbs or the LED equivalent (not included), providing efficient lighting options. Additionally, this lamp can be connected to smart home devices like Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by a 60″ long cord and is smart home compatible (smart outlet or switch sold separately).
The lamp is desk-sized, measuring 10.28″ x 10.54″ x 13.5″ (26.2 cm x 26.8 cm x 34.3 cm) and weighs 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg). It also includes an integrated LED light and can be easily assembled without any hassle.
Overall, this elegant Banker’s Lamp is an excellent choice for those who want a classic and functional desk lamp with smart home compatibility options.
The price is quite low so don’t expect to receive a high quality product. This is a lamp that is a good compromise for those who want to have an all in all nice item while spending little.
You can find it available here on Amazon, where you can see the current price and much more.
Ranking factors
Materials
One of the most important factors is
Aesthetics
A very important factor to consider is the lamps’ aesthetics. This one is rather subjective and depends on what you look for and like. however, I will share my aesthetic considerations.
First of all, I want my lamp to have a pull-chain switch, it just looks a lot cooler and gives it a more retro feel compared to having the switch at the cord.
Height
You should make sure that the lamp is tall enough to fit your use. If you intend to use your banker’s lamp as a desk lamp, it should measure at least 12 inches tall (30 cm). This ensures that it will illuminate your workspace properly.
I stumbled upon a cheap bankers lamp on amazon that had gotten several bad reviews, most of which were from people who looked at the attractive price, only to find out the lamp was a lot smaller than what they expected.
Weight
One should also make sure that the lamp base has some weight to it. This will make your lamp more sturdy, decreasing the risk of it tipping over if you bump into it, which can break the glass shade. You want to make sure your lamp weighs at least 3 pounds (1,36 kg), as it gives it enough weight without being too heavy.
This information is generally found in the product description and specifications. Here you can also find other useful information such as if the lamp battery powered or corded (yes there are some battery lamps out there). What type of light bulb it uses and whether the light bulb is included or not. For the lamps in this review, all fo this information if found in the table above.
Color of the shade and base
Another thing I consider is the color of the shade. Concerning those with green shades, I don’t like if the shade is too bright green (like a shamrock green). It just makes it look more childish. Finally, I also consider the color finish of the base, as I don’t want one that is too garish.
Which aesthetic traits you want in your banker’s lamp is up to you, but make sure you consider it so that you get a lamp you like.
What to keep in mind if you choose a low-priced lamp
First of all, when getting a budget bankers lamp, don’t expect to receive a handmade, state-of-the-art lamp. Most of these lamps are mass produced and can have some imperfections. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good quality lamp for your money.
To get a closer look at a bankers lamp in this price range, you can check out the video below where I unbox a typical green bankers lamp in the same price range. Although it is not identical to the ones above, it gives a good impression on what to expect.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are some options for solid bankers lamps, even on a budget. While some of these lamps won’t be of the very best quality, there are several good options.
There is one final thing you be aware of if you order your bankers lamp online. There is a slight risk of the glass shade breaking during shipping and handling. However, When buying from Amazon this shouldn’t be too much of a worry as you are given customer-friendly terms and can get a new one free of charge, or choose to have a full refund.
I hope this helped you in your quest for getting a bankers lamp. If you have any questions or other inquiries, leave a comment in the comment section below.
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Have you ever heard of reproduction Emeralite heat caps? Specifically little round brass caps that go on top of the small lamps. I’ve never heard of such a thing myself and I have a small collection of Emeralite. Thanks
Hi there! Thanks for your question.
Yes, I’ve come across reproduction Emeralite heat caps, specifically the little round brass caps for the smaller lamps. These reproductions are often made to replace missing or damaged originals, but they can be tricky to find. Some collectors and specialty shops produce high-quality replicas to match the original design, although they’re not always widely advertised.
If you have a collection of Emeralite lamps, it’s definitely worth checking with antique lighting dealers or even restoration specialists who might have come across these reproductions. You could also try reaching out in online collector forums where other Emeralite enthusiasts might share tips on where to find them.
Let me know if you’d like some recommendations for where to look!
When you say at least 12 inches high, where are you measuring too? Bottom of shade, arm attachment, top?
Thanks for this site. I’ve been a fan for over a year, but this is my first comment. I now have 3 bankers lamps, two traditional green and a blue one. I appreciate all your info on which ones to get and info on the bulbs etc!
Hello Tim
Thank you so much for your support, I’m thrilled that you found my site helpful. Oh wow, congrats, it bet they look great. Where do you have them? (living room, study desk)
Cheers Sean
Sean, I am desperately looking for a green Bankers lamp with a Plastic shade. I need it for a commercial and I can’t find one anywhere. I was hoping that you might be able to post me in the right direction. I appreciate any help.
Hi there Kim
I’m afraid I try to stay clear of those with plastic shades. Have you tried looking at ebay for something from china?
Good luck
Sean
Mary,
I have, is it a duck bill? I have seen a spiral shape around the mounting holes, as I recall a duck bill shaped shade, for some reason Westernhouse comes to mind as the maker, take that last part of the statement with a grain of salt. Emeralites as stated above were as far as I know are not decorative shades, some were mounted from side holes. They had a model where the shade sat in a cradle coming off the upright support, no mounting points on the side, these to me are the most elegant, but I would bet problems with the weight of the hand blown shade, being able to tilt it.
Hi Mary
Its a little difficult to tell without being able to see the lamp, but from what you have described, it might be that your lamp is one from another company or a replica of sorts. From what I know, all the emeralites where the shade was attached through holes on the side were not made with any sort of decorations or flutings on the shade, however, ever since the emeralites/bankers lamps became popular, other companies started producing their own versions or replicas, and I think various types with different designs have been produced ever since (even after the original company was shut down). It would be helpful to know whether there are any signatures or logos anywhere on the lamp that might give a clue as to what company manufactures it, but as a start you might want to check out my articles about the original bankers lamp where I point out various signatures etc. which are typically found on original lamps; https://thebankerslamp.com/antique-emeralite-bankers-lamp/
Regardless congratulations for finding yourself a lamp for a great price.
Hi,
I picked up a bankers lamp at my favorite thrift store last night on my way home from work for $4.89. The lamp is an OK, classic vintage brass lamp. Very good weight and sturdy, no corrosion. However, my question is about the shade. I haven’t seen one of this style before and have been unable to find one online. It’s a dark emerald green cased shade, but on the sides there’s a spiral shape from the holes where the shade is attached. And the front of the shade has subtle fluting across it’s width. This was really well designed, and the overall effect is beautiful. Are you familiar with any shades like this?
Hi there Mary
Congratulations on finding a great lamp, seems like a bargain. I can’t say I’m familiar with the shade you are describing, but then again, a bit difficult to tell without being able to see it, enjoy your lamp
Sean