Gerald Thurston for Lghtolier Adjustable Desk Lmp
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Gerald Thurston for Lghtolier Adjustable Desk Lmp
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very minor loss to paint on the top of the shade - working original condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97871079880
Lightolier
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYElegant and chic, quilted ceramic body with brass base and top. Excellent overall condition, slight bruise on brass base, as shown. Base accepts three bulbs to provide ample light. S...Category
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- Adjustable Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYClassic Thurston design Mid Century saucer top reading lamp manufactured by Lightolier. The lamp can be raised to 52 in, or lowered to 42 in H, the disk shade is 12 in. in diameter, ...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic Table Lamp, ca. 1950/ 1960'sBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYChic and stylish ceramic and brass table lamp, attributed to Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. The lamp is in excellent, clean, and working condition, and comes complete with its origi...Category
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- Midcentury Tri Pod Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier C 1950sBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYClassic midcentury table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston, made by Lightolier, circa 1950s. The lamp has a three leg, tripod form base of black rods, which support interior diffusers...Category
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- Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Gerald ThurstonBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYStylish architectural table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston. The lamp has a white ribbed conical base with a brass decorative ball shaft. The lamp accepts three standard size screw ...Category
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- Mid Century Mushroom Form Table Lamp att. to Gerald Thurston c 1950'sBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYChic architectural Mid Century dome top table lamp, attributed to Gerald Thurston, for Lightolier - circa 1950/1960's. The lamp features a circular domed top shade, which rests on a ...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Adjustable Taupe Desk Lamp, 1950'sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal condition Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Pivoting Library lamp, 1950's. Featuring an articulating patinated Brass stem, resembling a smooth Bronze appearance, adjustable Tau...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Style Adjustable Brass Desk Lamp, 1960sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYAmerican Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston for Lightolier style brass desk lamp. Featuring a slender, sturdy Brass plated tubular stem, round balanced, weighted 6D base, turn switch to base, adjusting Black enameled interior Brass shade head (8.25 W x 3W) extending to 10W with Cast Iron handle...Category
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- Gerald Thurston Desk LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic table or desk lamp, designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Wide enameled black shade, articulates from the curved brass base. In wonderful condition overall, original ...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Double Desk LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic, Mid-Century Modern, double-headed desk lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features painted metal shades with perforated diffusers and brass accents on a faux wood metal ...Category
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- 1970's Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Black Lacquered Table / Desk LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYGerald Thurston for lightolier basic concept table lamp with black lacquered steel base and lamp stem, white acrylic drum shade and plastic diffuser unde...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige "Cricket" Desk Lamp, Circa 1955By Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige Cricket Table Lamp, Wall Lamp. Featuring an adjustable perforated dome Bakelite Shade in Coffe...Category
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