Bakelite 'Sigma' 1930s Desk Lamp by Christian Dell, Made in Germany
By Christian Dell
Located in London, GB
This desk lamp - the model 'Sigma' was made by Dell in the 1930s.
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Table Lamps
Bakelite
Bakelite 'Sigma' 1930s Desk Lamp by Christian Dell, Made in Germany
By Christian Dell
Located in London, GB
This desk lamp - the model 'Sigma' was made by Dell in the 1930s.
Bakelite
$990Sale Price|40% Off
1930s Desk Lamp / Table Lamp by Harald Notini for Arvid Böhlmarks
By Harald Notini, Bohlmarks
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful industrial table lamp / desk lamp from the 1930's designed by Harald Notini for Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik AB Stockholm Sweden.
Metal, Brass, Iron
"Kamdem N° 756" Desk lamp by Marianne Brandt, Hin Dieckbrede, & H. Gaute - 1930s
By Marianne Brandt
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Gaute - 1930s desk lamp Measures :22cmx16cm H:45cm Materials :Glass - Metal
Metal
1930s French Industrial Desk Lamp, Metal with Green Paint, Adjustable
Located in London, GB
This is a great classic 1930s desk lamp. The arm adjusts up and down and as you can see from the pictures, it is operated with the bakelite on and off switch.
Metal
Art Deco Industrial metal and travertine Desk Lamp, Belgium 1930s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1930 / Desk Lamp / metal, travertine / Art Deco A striking example of early 20th-century Belgian industrial design, this 1930s desk lamp embodies the sleek geometry and ma...
Travertine, Chrome
Art Deco Bakelite and Chrome Table Lamp, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this superbly styled and totally original 1930s desk lamp. The black bakelite tiered base supports a chrome hoop which is in excellent condition and free fr...
Chrome
Model 0408 Table Lamp by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 0408 Table Lamp by Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1930s.
Aluminum
Pair of Bauhaus Table Lamps attr. to Christian Dell for Kaiser Idell C. 1930s
By Christian Dell, Kaiser Leuchten
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These 1930s desk lamps feature adjustable domed shades, mounted on a cylindrical lacquered base with a chrome stem, embodying the rationalist Bauhaus aesthetic.
Steel
1930's French Industrial Desk Lamp
Located in Paris, FR
A striking French 20-century vintage desk or table lamp composed of aluminum, steel and brass. The base features a push-type switch and the light rotated and the base and shade. Th...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$449Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Hala Desk Lamp, 1930's
By Hala Zeist
Located in Lisboa, PT
This desk lamp was design and manufactured by Hala, in the Netherlands, during the 1930's.
Metal
Desk lamp, Bauhaus, Germany, 1930's
By Christian Dell
Located in Stockholm, SE
A modern desk lamp attributed to Christain Dell. Made for Bünte und Remmler.
Metal
Classic American Art Deco, Faries Desk / Task Lamp, circa 1930s
By Faries Lamp Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic American Art Deco, Faries desk / task lamp circa 1930s, Sleek, simple elegant design, Normandy Bronze Finish. minor blemish to top of shade.
Brass
"Pair of Classic Art Deco Woka Desk Lamps, Nickle Plated, 1930s Design"
By Woka Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of handmade Classic Art Deco nickel plated Woka desk lamp with Diffuser, Hardwired, On / Off Switch on the lamp base Max 1 x 60W. Base: 8" Diameter
Metal, Nickel, Stainless Steel, Steel
$452Sale Price|44% Off
Kaiser Idell Model 6556 Desk Lamp, 1930's
By Kaiser Idell, Christian Dell
Located in Lisboa, PT
The 6556 model desk lamp was designed by Christian Dell and manufactured by Kaiser Idell, in Germany, during the 1930's.
Metal, Iron
Brass Art Deco Desk Lamp from 1930's France
Located in London, GB
A brass desk lamp with a domed shade and spherical detail to the stem. Newly rewired with black twisted flex, UK plug and fully PAT tested.
Brass
Copper Banker's Desk Lamp, dark green shade, England 1930's
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Copper Banker's Desk Lamp, with an adjustable pivoting dark green shade, England 1930's.
Copper
Art Deco Large Desk Lamp, 1930's
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's Art Deco large Angle poise table light in great period working condition in chrome. This light just screams Art Deco with its stepped base and pink marble effect glas...
Chrome
French 1930's anglepoise desk clamp lamp style of Gras
By Bernard-albin Gras
Located in London, GB
French 1930's black metal anglepoise clamp desk lamp in the style of Bernard Albin Gras.
Metal
Art Deco Modernist Desk and Table Lamp. USA 1930´s
By Gilbert Rohde, Donald Deskey
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Modernist Desk and Table Lamp. USA 1930´s Art Deco Modernist Desk and Table Lamp.
Metal
1930's Original Adjustable German Bakelite Desk Lamp
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1930’s Original Adjustable German Bakelite Desk Lamp 1930’s Original German Bakelite Desk Lamp.
Metal
Art Deco Geometric Dinanderie Desk Lamp, c 1930's, France. René Coquery.
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco dinanderie desk lamp, circa 1930's, France. This lamp is an Art Deco cubist design, designed by René Coquery.
Marble, Brass
Original Black Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1930s
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
The desk lamp requires a E27/26 bulb and currently has an EU-plug.
Metal
1930's Machine Age Chrome and Copper Desk Lamp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Machine Age, Art Deco Copper, and Chrome Desk Lamp from 1932. The lamp features a modernist bell-shaped copper lamp shade with a matching copper base all brought together with a chro...
Copper, Chrome
Kandem 756 Desk Lamp, circa 1930s
By Kandem
Located in Gloucester, GB
Kandem 756 desk lamp Circa 1930s. - Cast iron stepped base - Steel arm and shade - Original On/Off toggle switch on the shade - Produced by Korting and Mathiesen, Leipzig - De...
Steel
1930's Rare Parcel-Silvered Art Deco Bauhaus Mushroom Style Desk Lamp
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
1930's RARE PARCEL-SILVERED ART DECO BAUHAUS MUSHROOM STYLE DESK LAMP Probably American Visually satisfying high quality table lamp evoking Machine Age Era design patinated copper...
Copper
Industrial Mounted Desk Lamps by Brottby Verkstads AB Mölndal, 1930/40's, PAIR
Located in North Miami, FL
This outstanding PAIR of Swedish industrial table lamps dating from 1930's or 1940's by Brottby are adjustable all along the neck. It features a nice aged patina, and its original ta...
Metal
1930s Art Deco Desk Lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1930s Art Deco Desk Lamp Metal with Metal Shade Chrome Base Painted Would work well on a desk, bedroom side table, or small hall table Needs Rewiring Dent on shade (as shown in pi...
Metal
Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 Black Two Step Articulated Desk Lamp 1930's
By Herbert Terry
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 Black Two Step Articulated Desk Lamp 1930's Model 1227 (1938 - 1968) - Has a two tier base, with a steel cover. - The forks were mainly cast as ...
Aluminum
Model 999 Kandem Desk Lamp Circa 1930s
By Kandem
Located in Gloucester, GB
Model 999 Kandem Desk Lamp Circa 1930s - Cast iron base - Original dark green paint - Angled steel shade - Articulated arm and shade - On/off toggle switch on the shade - Produced b...
Steel
Industrial Black Enamel Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1930s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Industrial table lamp made in Bauuhaus era in Germany during the 1930s. It features a black enamel shade with white enamel interior, a cast iron base with original switch and an arm ...
Iron
Chrome Desk Lamp with Adjustable Shade, 1930s
By Daalderop KDM Royal Holland
Located in Delft, NL
Chrome desk lamp with adjustable shade, 1930s The desk lamp is rewired The measurements are: 40 cm high, 24 cm wide and the depth is 20 cm (the shade) The weight is 1737 gram.
Chrome
Daalderop KDM Royal Holland Bauhaus Desk-lamp 1930s
By Daalderop KDM Royal Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Modernist desk lamp by Kurt Versen for Daalderop, 1930s. Original period Desk lamp.
Nickel
1930’S Walligraph Anglepoise Desk clamp Light by Zonalite
By Walligraph
Located in London, GB
Zonalite art deco anglepoise Walligraph desk lamp. Normal signs of age, conducive to the age of the light. Some paint loss but in overall good original condition.
Metal
$397Sale Price|20% Off
1930s Secession Brass and Glass Desk Lamp, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Original Secession (Art Deco) desk lamp from Czechoslovakia, 1930s. Features a rich brass stem, metal detailing, and geometric pressed glass shade.
Metal, Brass
Hala Zeist Desk Lamp in the Bauhaus Style Designed, 1930’s-1960’s
By Herman Theodoor Jan Anthoin Busquet, Hala Zeist
Located in London, GB
Popular lamp which was designed by Busquet and manufactured by Hala Zeist Lampenfababriek in Holland, circa 1960s. This piece features a dark brown dome shade and a flat disc base. I...
Steel, Chrome
French Art Déco Desk Lamp by Sabino, 1930s
By Sabino Art Glass
Located in Paris, FR
An Art Déco desk lamp by Sabino from the 1930s. Nickel plated metal and glass.
Metal, Nickel
Nickeled Art Deco Desk Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Lovely quality desk lamp of pleasant, Minimalist design, with a domed shade which can be oriented to direct the light. Very agreable nickeled finish -- softer, warmer looking than ch...
Metal
Vintage Bakelite Desk Lamp from Nolta Lux, 1930s
By Nolta-Lux
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage German bakelite desk lamp in Bauhaus style.It features a black bakelite shade, chrome plated gooseneck and cast iron base with original switch. The socket requires standard E...
Chrome, Iron
1930s Secession Brass and Glass Dual Desk Lamp, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Art Deco / Secessionist desk lamp made in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s, featuring a fluted brass column, dual arms, and geometric pressed glass shades.
Metal, Brass
Vintage Functionalist Table or Desk Lamp from ASEA, Sweden, 1930s
By ASEA
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool functionalist table or desk lamp from ASEA, with smooth, graphic lines. Black wooden handle and black lacquered shade.
Metal
English 1930s Little Bakelite Desk Lamp With Decorative Glass Shade
Located in London, GB
A delightful little Art Nouveau style desk lamp made in England in the 1930s. The sculpted Bakelit base incorporates the original 'twist' clockwise switch.
Glass, Bakelite
1930s Art Deco Bauhaus Brass Desk Lamp
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful original Art Deco/Bauhaus desk lamp made from brass with a glass base. Typical smart Art Deco design with lovely patinated brass.
Brass
$314Sale Price|30% Off
Black 1930s Bauhaus or Industrial Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming black lacquer and chrome Bauhaus industrial desk or Table lamp was produced during the 1930s probably in former Czech Republic.
Chrome, Metal, Aluminum
Adjustable Bauhaus Table Lamp or Desk Light by SIS Germany 1930s
By Kaiser Leuchten, Bünte und Remmler, SIS, Kaiser Idell, Christian Dell
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Bauhaus / Modernist table lamp or desk light. Adjustable, rotating and removable lamp shade.
Steel, Aluminum, Iron, Nickel
Elegant Articulating Fratelli Martini Art Deco Streamline Desk Lamp, 1930s
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant articulating Art Deco / Streamline desk lamp made in Europe in the 1930s. Beautiful ivory body with brass detailing, well-constructed, heavy and of extremely high quality.
Metal, Brass
Gilbert Rhode Style Chrome Plated Desk Lamp, 1930s / Classic Art DECO
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
Gilbert Rhode Style Chrome Plated Desk Lamp, 1930s / Classic Art DECO / Machine Age design..
Chrome
Large Modernist Desk Lamp in Patinated Brass 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Modernist Desk Lamp in Patinated Brass 1930s. Wonderful and large bauhaus style modernist desk or table lamp in patinated brass.
Brass
1930s Art Deco Red and White Vintage Table Desk Lamp
By Donald Deskey
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Red and White Table Lamp Art Deco Lines Industrial 6 d x 8 w x 17 h Unrestored vintage original condition. Review all images.
Metal
Single Christian Dell for Kaiser "Idell" Black Desk Lamp, 1930s
By Kaiser Idell, Christian Dell
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Single All Black Christian Dell for Kaiser Idell #6551 Adjustable Table Lamp. Featuring adjustable 6D Black enameled metal Shade, arm and base with Off-White Interior. Round 7.5D knu...
Metal
French "Fare" Desk/Banker's Lamp Chrome Adjustable Art Deco from 1930s
By Art Decor
Located in Beirut, LB
Vintage from the 1930s. Materials: chrome, marble base. Classic vintage French "Fare" desk lamp.
Marble, Chrome
Art Deco Slim Alabaster Table and or Desk Lamp 1930s European
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Art Deco alabaster table- and desk lamp. Alabaster is a light and relatively soft material that can be turned into all sorts of shapes.
Alabaster, Metal
Mid Century Modern Steel Desk Lamp, Glass Shade, Belgium, 1930s Design
Located in Stamford, CT
Moderne silver painted desk lamp with glass shade.
Metal
$728Sale Price|20% Off
Egon Hillebrand Table Lamp - Bauhaus Desk Lamp - 'Gleibo', Germany, 1930s
By Egon Hillebrand
Located in Schwerin, MV
A wonderful Bauhaus-style lamp from the 1940s: a large brass table lamp by Egon Hillebrand from West Germany – model 5302. This very solid lamp is distinguished by its large, domed s...
Metal, Brass
Eileen Gray 1878-1976, Chromed Iron Desk Lamp, Gray Lacquered, 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Eileen Gray 1878-1976. Chromed iron desk lamp, gray lacquered. Adjustable arm and screen.
Christian Dell Bauhause Kaiser Idell Black Metal Desk Lamp Germany 1930s
By Christian Dell, Kaiser Dell
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Bauhaus metal desk lamp designed by the artist Christian Dell and produced by Kaiser Idell with engraved logo, Germany circa 1930s Please note that the lamp is original of the perio...
Metal
Bauhaus Desk Lamp 6556 by Christian Dell for Kaiser Idell, 1930s
By Christian Dell
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaiser Idell 6556 desk lamp. This is the version with the smaller shade. Designed by iconic Bauhaus teacher Christian Dell. It features adjustable shade and vertically adjustable nec...
Steel
Art Deco Swing Desk Lamp in Patinated Brass by LYFA, Denmark, 1930s
By Lyfa
Located in Odense, DK
A rare and beautifully preserved swing-arm desk lamp by LYFA, Denmark, dating from the late 1930s to early 1940s.
Brass
Well-crafted antique and vintage table lamps do more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior.
Proper table lamps have long been used for lighting our most intimate spaces. Perfect for lighting your nightstand or reading nook, table lamps play an integral role in styling an inviting room. In the years before electricity, lamps used oil. Today, a rewired 19th-century vintage lamp can still provide a touch of elegance for a study.
After industrial milestones such as mass production took hold in the Victorian era, various design movements sought to bring craftsmanship and innovation back to this indispensable household item. Lighting designers affiliated with Art Deco, which originated in the glamorous roaring ’20s, sought to celebrate modern life by fusing modern metals with dark woods and dazzling colors in the fixtures of the era. The geometric shapes and gilded details of vintage Art Deco table lamps provide an air of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style.
After launching in 1934, Anglepoise lamps soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted the fixture as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.” The popular task light owed to a collaboration between a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine and a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons.
Some mid-century modern table lamps, particularly those created by the likes of Joe Colombo and the legendary lighting artisans at Fontana Arte, bear all the provocative hallmarks associated with Space Age design. Sculptural and versatile, the Louis Poulsen table lamps of that period were revolutionary for their time and still seem innovative today.
If you are looking for something more contemporary, industrial table lamps are demonstrative of a newly chic style that isn’t afraid to pay homage to the past. They look particularly at home in any rustic loft space amid exposed brick and steel beams.
Before you buy a desk lamp or table lamp for your living room, consider your lighting needs. The Snoopy lamp, designed in 1967, or any other “banker’s lamp” (shorthand for the Emeralite desk lamps patented by H.G. McFaddin and Company), provides light at a downward angle that is perfect for writing, while the Fontana table lamp and the beloved Grasshopper lamp by Greta Magnusson-Grossman each yield a soft and even glow. Some table lamps require lampshades to be bought separately.
Whether it’s a classic antique Tiffany table lamp, a Murano glass table lamp or even a bold avant-garde fixture custom-made by a contemporary design firm, the right table lamp can completely transform a room. Find the right one for you on 1stDibs.
No one knows for sure who invented the desk lamp, as many engineers worked on designs for lamps during the 1920s. Many experts cite the Anglepoise lamp, however, as the earliest iteration of the modern desk lamp. Since its 1934 debut, this ingenious task light has become one of the most celebrated examples of industrial design.
How the Anglepoise came to be is the stuff of design legend: In 1932, a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine joined forces with a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons, to create a mechanism by which opposed springs would, as Carwardine explained, exert a “unidirectional constant force” on a pivoted lever that could counteract the force of gravity.
This invention was not destined for an auto but for a lamp Carwardine was developing. The innovation would allow the piece’s articulated arm to be moved with ease to almost any position and remain there. As the product of engineering acumen rather than fashion, the Anglepoise soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted it as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.”
The Angelpoise's rivals include the 1930 Bestlite, which was one of the earliest Bauhaus-influenced designs, created by Robert Dudley Best, who had studied under Walter Gropius at the Bauhaus in Dessau. German modernist Karl Trabert’s 1930s desk lamp for Schanzenbach & Co. was notable for its domed shade above a hinged arm.
Find vintage table lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.
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