A torchiere (tour-she-AIR or tour-SHARE), or torch lamp, is a lamp with a stand. Originally, torchieres were roman bowls on stands with fire as light, later used as candelabras, usually with two or three lights or a single carved alabaster bowl. When it was first introduced in France towards the end of the 17th century the torchiere mounted one candle only, and when the number was doubled or tripled the improvement was regarded almost as a revolution in the lighting of large rooms.