At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal 1930s desk lamp for your home. A 1930s desk lamp — often made from
metal,
brass and
steel — can elevate any home. Find 1160 options for an antique or vintage 1930s desk lamp now, or shop our selection of 5 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer 1930s desk lamp, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A 1930s desk lamp, designed in the
Art Deco,
industrial or
mid-century modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made 1930s desk lamp has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by
Christian Dell,
Kaiser Idell and
Kandem are consistently popular.
A 1930s desk lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,095, while the lowest priced sells for $100 and the highest can go for as much as $31,807.
Antique table lamps became a category of their own once electricity moved light off the wall and onto furniture. The form split quickly: task-driven designs like the Anglepoise on one side, decorative ceramic and glass on the other.
Styles to Know
Base material shapes the light as much as the shade does: ceramic and glass diffuse a softer glow, while brass and metal read more directional. Layer the look with a mid-century modern floor lamp for ambient light, or set a pair on a mid-century modern nightstand for a bedroom.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Table Lamp
Buying individually rather than as a pair allows more flexibility when mixing eras across a room. For those shopping by name rather than by shape, the history of the Anglepoise lamp is worth a read. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and the 1stDibs Promise stands behind every purchase.