Here we have a piece of old seedy Milwaukee history that will light up any room with a green glow. This rare and unusual antique lamp came out of an old brothel from the notorious Red Light district of Milwaukee from the early 1900s, also known as "The Line." Now let your imagination run wild. This green baby has lived it and breathed it. How can it not with a hula skirt? But don't be fooled. She is a brute and touch as nails. You'll see.
Here's more info on the notorious section of town, courtesy of
Milwaukee Magazine:"For more than 50 years, the goings-on of Downtown’s red-light district, known simply as The Line, were an open secret. In a few square blocks between present-day Red Arrow Park and the Pabst Theater, on the east side of the river, across to where the UWM Panther Arena and Wisconsin Center sit today, prostitution was illegal only in the technical sense. Along this corridor, the number of places a man could go for “companionship,” including plush mansion brothels, dressed-up apartment flats, and dingy saloons, numbered nearly 100. However, this all came to an end in 1912 when a crusading district attorney, Winfred Zabel, shuttered The Line in an attempt to restore an aura of respectability to the area.
antique industrial machinist lamp with a rare overbuilt metal base. The pictures don't do it justice. The rare light is a classy beast, with the look and functionality that'll get the neighbors talking. The gooseneck on this bad boy is thick and can extend horizontally and look around the corner, all because of the monster base. I've looked high and low and I can't find this base anywhere. You know how you can tell quality as soon as you see it in person and get your hands on it? Yeah, that's a thing with this bad boy."
The rare industrial light came out of a machinist shop in Milwaukee. The patina is absolutely perfect. Solid, solid, solid.
The cool table light stands about 19" at regular position. The diameter of the ornate base is 6" by 4 1/2". The lamp works fine. The industrial grade wiring is original to how I found the piece, and measures 68". I'll leave the decision up to you in terms of a possible rewire. There is patina from age everywhere. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only. Free shipping on the rare industrial lamp.
Ornate and sultry history. Antiques can really be crazy and a design beacon.
