Gerald Thurston for Lightolier "Cricket" Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Gerald Thurston (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. In good age appropriate condition, with some minor paint loss to the shade and some rough spots to the metal frame, please see the detailed photos.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU835031503642
Gerald Thurston
As the leading designer at Lightolier during the postwar building and design boom, Gerald Thurston created his clever lighting — sleek floor lamps, table lamps and desk lamps— to suit the American lifestyles of 1950s and 1960s. His designs were at the forefront of the mid-century modern lighting revolution — like much of the visionary work being done at the time in furniture and interiors, Thurston’s fixtures are both elegant and totally innovative, reflecting the exploration of new ideas and new technology that consumed designers of the era.
Thurston eventually led a stellar team of international lighting designers at Lightolier. He was important to the pioneering East Coast-based electric lighting company, and rumor has it that because he sketched every design on craft paper, the manufacturer insured his right hand for one million American dollars.
While enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1930s, where he earned his degree in industrial design, Thurston worked as a freelance designer for the Zenith Radio Corporation. Once he graduated, he found a position at the New Metal Craft Company. There he designed custom lighting fixtures and decorative objects for architects and interior designers.
Lightolier enticed Thurston to join them in approximately 1950. That same year, New York’s Museum of Modern Art featured a green floor lamp of his in their Good Design Exhibition of 1950. The sculptural lamps that Thurston created for Lightolier are representative of his interest in Scandinavian modernist lighting as well as the revolutionary designs produced by postwar Italian companies such as Arredoluce and Arteluce. (Lightolier partnered with the latter, and Thurston found inspiration in the work of Arteluce founder Gino Sarfatti.)
During Thurston’s decades-long tenure with Lightolier, he became internationally known for his many designs. His modernist fixtures are characterized by clean lines, vibrant colors and an appealing meld of metals and rich woods. His slender-legged Lightolier Tripod floor lamp, introduced in the 1960s, garnered widespread acclaim, while his whimsical Cricket lamp, with its arthropodan shade and slim brass frame, is wholly versatile — it can be hung as a sconce or positioned on a desk and offers direct or diffused light.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Gerald Thurston lighting, decorative objects and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Palm Springs, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Lightolier Atomic Sputnik Ball Table LampBy LightolierLocated in Palm Springs, CAA great table lamp with its original globe shades out of a nice Palm Springs Estate. This 1970’s Lightolier fixture still has a few of its labels. I only had one bulb to light it up...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Stewart Ross James for Hansen Verdigris Bronze LampBy Stewart Ross James, HansenLocated in Palm Springs, CALovely bronze patinated lamp designed by Stewart Ross James for Hansen. I’m working condition with an older rewire and a double cluster t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Pierre Casenove for Fondica France Gilt Metal Table LampBy Fondica, Pierre CasenoveLocated in Palm Springs, CAA beautiful gilt metal table lamp designed by the noted Ceramicist and Sculptor Pierre Casenove for Fondica of France. Comes with a lovely clip on shade. Lamps dates from the late 19...Category
Early 2000s French Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- L. Boye Gilt Metal and Enamel Lamp for Fondica France 2004By Fondica, BoyéLocated in Palm Springs, CAA stunning enamel and gilt metal lamp by Boye for Fondica of France. Signed and dated 2004. The enamel work is quite beautiful and vibrant. The lamp looks as if its leaning a bit fro...Category
Early 2000s French Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Enamel
- Vintage Murano LampsLocated in Palm Springs, CAA festive pair of vintage murano lamps. Not sure of the manufacturer but circa 1950’s-1960’s. Applied decoration and nicely mounted on gilt bases. ...Category
20th Century Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsGlass
- Famille Rose LampsLocated in Palm Springs, CAWonderful pair of matched Chinese famille rose lamps. Out of a great Palm Springs estate, these lamps were featured in a beautifully designed...Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Table Lamps
MaterialsPorcelain
- Gerald Thurston "Cricket" Lamp for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Brooklyn, NYGreat modernist design, can sit on table or be hung on the wall as a sconce. Pierced pivoting shade allows for direct or diffused light and brightness control.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsEnamel
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier White Cricket Lamps - PairBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of matched "Cricket" table lamp, designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Enameled white shade, articulates from angular brass base. A versatile lamp that may be hung on the ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Gerald Thurston For Lightolier "Cricket" Lamp ca' 1950'sBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA nice example of a Gerald Thurston for Lightolier "Cricket"lamp. All original, complete with plastic diffuser, original wiring, original beige paint.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Gerald Thurston Cricket LampBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYOriginal "Cricket" table lamp, designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Enameled white shade, articulates from angular brass base. A versatile lamp that may be hung on the wall as...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk LampBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Riverdale, NYGerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp from the 1950s in an Industrial green grey enameled sheet metal. Crescent base and sw...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal