Page of Proposal for Lighting Fixtures 1911

This is a page of lighting fixture proposals by John S. Bradstreet and Company, dating back to the early 20th century. Note the recurring motif: the bracket. These aren't merely supports for light; they’re echoes of ancient torch holders, evolving from necessity to symbols of domestic comfort. Consider how the bracket has appeared in the grand halls of medieval castles, holding torches that warded off darkness, and compare them to these designs. Here, the bracket has been domesticated, tamed for the bourgeois home. In ancient Greece, similar supports held oil lamps, illuminating philosophical debates. This symbol has undergone a fascinating transformation, moving from communal spaces of knowledge and power to private realms of luxury. The shift reflects our psychological relationship with light, our deep-seated need to push back against the primal fear of darkness. These fixtures, therefore, are not just functional; they evoke emotions of safety, warmth, and belonging, engaging us on a subconscious level. The bracket, simple as it seems, carries the weight of history.