Antique Bronze Finish Desk Lamp c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique desk lamp featuring a bronze finish, a tilting adjustable rectangular hood shade, and a heavy base.
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
Antique Bronze Finish Desk Lamp c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique desk lamp featuring a bronze finish, a tilting adjustable rectangular hood shade, and a heavy base.
Metal
1940's Italian Multi-Positional Chrome Desk Lamp
By Lariolux
Located in Hanover, MA
Gorgeous high quality table or desk lamp in polished nickel plated brass from Italy, 1940s-1950s with a weighted round base and an enormous ball joint from which the sturdy stem can ...
Brass, Nickel
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Art Deco Desk Lamp by Designer Art Decor, Chromed Metal, 1940
By Art Decor
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Italian Art Deco desk lamp. Chromed metal and black enameled shade.
Metal
Art Deco Desk Lamp Sight Light Corp Deep River CT, circa 1940
By Sight Light Corporation
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer for collectors of Art Deco / Moderne lamps a great-looking American electric desk or table lamp mad by the "Sight Light Corp
Metal
1940's Art Deco Adjustable Desk lamp or Reading Lamp
Located in Antwerp, BE
1940’s Original Adjustable German Bakelite Desk Lamp Good honest very original Bakelite desk lamp with an adjustable main arm and tilting shade head.
Metal
1940's Art deco Industrial Gooseneck Metal Desk Table Lamp
Located in San Diego, CA
Very rare 1940's gooseneck multidirectional desk table lamp , circa 1940's very nice condition light use with a cast iron heavy base and a chrome accent on the shade in great working...
Metal
$3,900Sale Price|20% Off
French Modern Neoclassical Leather & Parchment Table or Desk Lamp, Hermès, 1940
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Timeless French Mid-century leather table lamp or desk lamp attributed to Hermes in the post Art Deco / Modern Neoclassical spirit. The lamp is in dark green leather w...
Parchment Paper, Leather
$858
Brass Desk Lamp
Located in London, England
Empire style French brass lamp with toleware shade ( rewired ).Circa 1940
Brass
$811Sale Price|20% Off
Original Anglepoise Desk Lamp Herbert Terry & Sons Ltd Redditch c.1940
Located in Worcester, GB
Original Anglepoise Desk Lamp Herbert Terry & Sons Ltd Redditch c.1940 An original Anglepoise desk lamp manufactured in England by Herbert Terry & Sons Ltd, Redditch.
Metal
$396Sale Price|20% Off
1947 Antique Gold Cobra Desk Lamp by Jean Otis Reinecke Faries
By Faries Lamp Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1947 Antiqued Gold Cobra Lamp by Jean Otis Reinecke for Faries MFG. Robert Fairies MFG- Jean Ottis. Reinecke 1947 Art Deco era Norman Bel Geddes Era Greta ...
Metal, Copper, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp by Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors, Circa 1940
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish desk lamp with a new white round shade made of hand blown clear Orrefors glass, designed by Carl Fagerlund and produced, signed by Orrefors in go...
Metal, Chrome
American Art Deco Period Chrome Plated Desk Lamp, ca. 1930-1940
Located in Atlanta, GA
chrome plated desk lamp with a curved arm and tiered base, in the style of Gilbert Rohde, recently rewired
Chrome
Paavo Tynell, pair of 1940/50's brass desk lamps, Taito Oy
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Introducing a pair of stunning brass desk lamps by Paavo Tynell, manufactured by Taito Oy in the 1940s and 1950s. These vintage lamps have a timeless design that still looks as sleek...
Brass
Vintage desk lamp in Art Deco / Streamline Moderne style (approx. 1940–1955)
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Characterful vintage desk lamp featuring a beautiful mint green metal shade and base, fitted with an elegant curved steel arm.
Iron
Walter Von Nessen Style Brass Swing Arm Desk Lamp with Pale Green Shade, 1940's
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Walter Von Nessen Style Brass Swing Arm Desk Lamp with enameled Green Shade. Featuring a Brass column with extending and adjustable swing arm. extending to 16L. With original white s...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Industrial, Adjustable Desk Table Lamp
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Vintage industrial adjustable desk table lamp. Measures: circa 1940.
Metal
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Chrome Desk Lamp in Modernist style, Art Deco Design, French 1930-1940
Located in Debrecen, HU
This sleek chrome desk lamp exemplifies the Art Deco design movement that flourished in France during the 1920s and 1930s. The streamlined form with its polished chrome finish and mi...
Chrome
Library Desk Lamp by ILUM - Argentina
Located in North Miami, FL
This industrial period (WWII era) desk lamp in matte black features a swing arm and all original brass fittings and details. The shade has been restored but the rest of this lamp sho...
Aluminum, Brass
$6,304 / item
Soviet admiral desk lamp
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Soviet admiral desk lamp with yellow fabric. Very same lamp with green fabric is located in Stalin's bunker in Samara.
Metal
$5,460Sale Price|20% Off
Allan Gould Desk Lamp
By Allan Gould
Located in Chicago, IL
Allan Gould for Mutual-Sunset Lamp Manufacturing Company, rare desk lamp. Chrome-plated steel with fluted acrylic base.
Brass, Steel
Nessen lighting co.Swing Arm Desk Lamp
By Nessen Studio
Located in Westport, CT
Polished chrome and black swing arm desk lamp by Nessen Company Bronx partial original label in very good original condition. Many adjustable way to be used, rare example. This lamp ...
Chrome
French Modernist Turned Brass Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
French Modernist Turned Brass Desk Lamp A fantastic quality turned brass desk lamp from C.1940s France. Simple modernist form. Recently professionally re-wired. Measurements incl...
Brass
$750Sale Price|36% Off
Antique Scandinavian Brass Desk Lamp with Metal Shade
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1741 Antique Scandinavian brass desk /table lamp with metal shade Takes on 60 watt edison based bulb Existing wiring in working condition
Brass, Sheet Metal
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Ministerial Desk Lamp for Lariolux
By Lariolux, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Ministerial Desk Lamp for Lariolux Produced circa 1940 and executed in richly patinated brass with swiveling arm and rotating adjustable sh...
Brass
French Adjustable Desk Lamp c. 1940s
Located in Warminster, GB
An adjustable nickel-plated desk lamp with integrated ashtray. French, c. 1940s. Stock ref. #3111 Professionally rewired with in-line switch. 34 x 15 x 9.5 cm 13.4 x 5.9 x 3.7 "
Steel, Iron, Nickel
$950Sale Price|50% Off
Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp
By Faries
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Streamline art deco cobra lamp by Faries. In original condition with brass lampshade and polished nickel base.
Chrome
Mid-Century Italian Brass Table Desk Lamp with Pantograph Arm , 1940s
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-Century Italian Brass Table Desk Lamp with Pantograph Arm , 1940s
Brass
Christian Dell Brown Desk Lamp
By Christian Dell
Located in NYC, NY
A fine and original Christian Dell light. Brown painted metal with adjustable arm and base.
Metal
English Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's English patinated bronze lamp with tole shade. Measurements: Height: 27.5" Diameter: 16".
Metal, Bronze
Lumen Milano Desk Lamp Mod C429 by Oscar Torlasco
By Lumen, Oscar Torlasco
Located in Hanover, MA
An articulating desk lamp model C429 by Lumen Milano in brass, enameled aluminum and marble, late 1940s production. Note the faint vertical seam in the brass base cone indicating...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Belmag Articulating Brass Goose Neck Desk Lamp Christian Dell Model K
By Christian Dell
Located in New York, NY
Swiss Belmag Articulating Goose Neck Desk Lamp designed by Christian Dell. Christian Dell for Belmag, Zurich Brass Articulating Desk Lamp.
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Art Deco Machine Age Desk Lamp 1940s
By Donald Deskey
Located in San Diego, CA
Machine age adjustable brushed metal desk lamp with an incorporated pen or glasses holder. Substantial quality and weight. Heavy stainless steel construction and wood base. USA, 1940s
Metal
Art Deco Double Desk Table Lamp by Jumo, France, 1940s
By Maison Jumo
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Art Deco double desk lamp by Jumo, France, 1940s. Original condition, only rewired. Gently worn patina.
Metal
Brass Desk Lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A table lamp of patinated brass, with adjustable and curved neck. Swiveling top and bottom, adjustable in both height and angle. Switch located on the base.
Brass
Exotic Italian Art Deco era Magic Genie Student Desk Lamp
By Wild & Wessel, Berlin
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Magical 1940's student lamp from Italy. Genie oil lamp design with a bronze finish and natural hand rubbed warm aged patina. 2 wrapped snakes motif the finial handle. Italian cased g...
Brass
Art Deco Desk or Table Lamp with Fluted Brass Column
Located in San Mateo, CA
Small art deco table or desk lamp. This has a brass fluted column on a square wood base. The lamp has an eight inch diameter reflector that can be used as is or a shade can be put ov...
Brass
Midcentury Brass Desk lamp, Philips, The Netherlands, 1940s
By Philips
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool midcentury desk lamp from Philips, made from brass in a wide design. Adjustable lamp shade with decorative perforated holes. Flourescent tube light source.
Brass
Vintage Architect Desk Lamp from ASAS, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Black fully adjustable desk or table light from ASAS. It was manufactured in Denmark during the 1940s greatly inspired by the Bauhaus Movement with lighting. It features original t...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Industrial Hadrill & Hortsmann Counterbalance 'Pluslite' Desk Lamp c1940
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in London, GB
A nice example of the iconic counterbalance 'Pluslite' lamp, ingeniously designed by Hadrill & Horstmann. c.1940 A wonderfully preserved Pluslite lamp retaining its original cream‑p...
Brass, Steel
$236Sale Price|74% Off
Vintage Bauhaus German Minimalist Black Metal Desk Lamp from Gebrüder Cosack
By Gebrüder Cosack
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This classic table lamp was produced by the German manufacture Gebrüder Cosack (Gecos) during the 1940s. Also known as a doctor's lamp. The base is made of cast iron, and the lampsha...
Metal
Desk Lamp by Christian Dell for Helo Leuchten
By Helo Leuchten, Christian Dell
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A black patinated desk or table lamp with two adjustable pivot points by Bauhaus designer Christian Dell. Manufactured by Helo Leuchten in the 1930s -1940s.
Metal
1940s Art Deco Copper and Brass Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1940s large brass and copper Art Deco desk lamp, fully restored and rewired ready to use.
Brass, Copper
Nickel Plated Desk Lamp with Greek Key Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Nickel Plated Greek Key Design Lamp, American, circa 1940's. This piece shows excellent attention to detail, with fine casting and original custom finial. It has been replated and re...
Nickel
Desk Lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen "DSB Konduktør" Made at Louis Poulsen, 1940s
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Functionalist desk lamp designed by Danish Architect Vilhelm Lauritzen in the late 1940s. Made for "DSB" (The Danish Railway Company) hence the name "Konduktørlampe/Train Conductors ...
Metal
Chic French Art Deco Green Leather and Gilt Bronze Table or Desk Lamp
By Marcel Coard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic French Art Deco green leather and gilt bronze table or desk lamp in the style of Marcel Coard.
Bronze
Large Bauhaus or Art Deco Style Chrome and Marble Table or Desk Lamp
By Nessen Lighting, Nessen Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic Bauhaus or Art Deco style chrome and marble table or desk lamp with custom manila paper shade. 4-way switch (both bulbs on - one on / one off - one off / one on - both off). D...
Marble, Chrome
Vilhelm Lauritzen for Louis Poulsen Brass Two-Arm Desk Lamp
By Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Long Island City, NY
This elegantly functional light has two swivel arms terminating in bell-form shades directing light down on your reading material or your supper. The brass surface is warmly patinate...
Brass
Streamline Modern Dazor Lighting Floating-Arm Metal / Fiberglass Desk Lamp 1940s
By Dazor
Located in Miami, FL
Dazor Lighting model #2008 Floating-Arm desk lamp. It has a shade with a Flying Saucer shape with a metal top and a fiberglass diffuser.
Metal
Art Specialty Co Flexo Banker Desk Lamp Flying Saucer Shade Fluorescent Dazor
By Dazor
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A substantial "flying saucer" desk lamp by Art Specialty Co., Flexo from the 19450s. Unmarked, the bottom plate matches the plates on other, similar Flexo lamps. The lamp is in the o...
Metal
1940s Swedish Modern Brass Desk or Banker/ Table Lamp by Asea
By ASEA
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful brass lamp produced by Asea, very much in the style of a desk or banker lamp. Features a weighted brass base with push on/off button. An elongated curved stem continues u...
Brass
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
Dactyl, Art-Deco Desk Lamp by Jean Chavanis for Pirouett, France, 1940s
By Jean Chavanis, Pirouette
Located in Brussel, BE
Elegant Art Deco desk lamp crafted in chrome-plated metal; it features a weighted rectangular base, a fixed vertical column, and a sliding horizontal arm fitted with an adjustable fa...
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Table / Desk Lamps, Sweden, 1940s/50s by EWÅ Armaturfabrik (attributed)
By Erik Wärnå, Ewå Värnamo
Located in PUTTEN, NL
Pair of Table or Desk Lamps, Sweden, 1940s/1950s by EWÅ Armaturfabrik (attributed) Charming pair of Swedish bedside or desk lamps, most likely produced by EWÅ Armaturfabrik in Värna...
Metal, Brass
Post-War Helion Bakelite Desk Task Lamp East German Industrial 1950s MidCentury
By VEB Leuchten, Helion Arnstadt
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
1950s desk lamp designed for Helion VEB Leuchtenbau in the city of Arnstadt, East Germany, unusually with both a Bakelite shade and base, articulated by a brushed steel curved arm. T...
Steel
Finnish Mid Century Paavo Tynell 9222 Desk Table Lamp Produced by Taito, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Finnish mid century desk / table lamp model "9222" with a white adjustable metal shade and brass base by Paavo Tynell produced by Taito Oy Finland, 1940s. In good vintage condit...
Metal, Brass
Danish Vintage Bindesbøll Style High Desk Lamp of Bronze with New Shade 1940s
By Just Andersen, Thorvald Bindesbøll
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage Bindesbøll style high desk lamp made of an alloy of copper and other metals like bronze and brass (ore). The special alloy has a deep golden brown color The stem has two flu...
Metal
Vilhelm Lauritzen Flexible Desk Lamp of Brass with Patina by Lyfa Denmark 1940s
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Lyfa
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage desk lamp model B 187 by the Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894-1984) manufactured by Lyfa in the 1940s. Vilhelm Lauritzen was one of the greatest designers in Denmar...
Metal, Brass
Mid Century "No 9" Cylindrical Table Desk Lamp by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll, 1940s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare mid century cylindrical "No 9" table desk lamp in cherry wood and fiberglass reinforced polyvinyl chloride paper shade with brass nails by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll USA pro...
Cherry, Paper
Mid Century "No 9" Cylindrical Table Desk Lamp by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll, 1940s
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare mid century cylindrical "No 9" table desk lamp in cherry wood and fiberglass reinforced polyvinyl chloride paper shade with brass nails by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll USA pro...
Cherry, Paper
Exceptional Art Deco Zodiac Desk Light or Table Lamp by Jean Perzel France 1940s
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare and elegant Art Deco desk light or table lamp with zodiac signs. Designed & manufactured by Atelier Jean Perzel, Paris, France, 1940s. Signed on the base beside the s...
Aluminum, Brass
1940's Industrial Designed Desk Lamp
Located in Hudson, NY
Aluminum Double Column Desk Lamp with Detachable Metal Shade. Shade constructed of Aluminum and Brass with Four Hand Painted Paper Panels. Exposed Aluminum Toggle switch. Exquisite D...
Aluminum, Brass
Unavailable
Vintage Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Desk Lamp
Iron
Unavailable
H 15.75 in W 17.33 in D 7.88 in
Iconic 1940 Art Deco Modernist Desk Table Lamp Lighting Eileen Gray Jumo French
By Eileen Gray
Located in Dorking, Surrey
Iconic lamp designed by Eileen Gray for Jumo, circa 1940 Quality piece made from brass and black lacquered metal. Swivel movement. Condition: In good original condition and wor...
Metal, Brass, Other
French Crystal Desk Lamp
Located in SouthPort, CT
Nickel and Crystal desk lamp - French
Crystal, Nickel
Unavailable
An Hermes Anglepoise Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
An Hermes anglepoise desk lamp of chromed metal, with black painted metal shade, mounted on a heavy green leather covered foot. Signed Hermes Paris.
Chrome
Art Deco Reading/Desk Lamp
Located in Charleston, SC
Fer Forge Reading/Desk Lamp with Metal Shade and Base Decorated with Art Deco Geometric Designs.
Steel
Art Deco Reading/Desk Lamp
Located in Charleston, SC
Fer Forge Reading/Desk Lamp with Metal Shade and Base Decorated with Art Deco Geometric Designs.
Iron, Brass
Cool Adjustable Swedish Desk Lamp, 1940s
Located in Sittard, NL
Cool ajustable Swedisch desk lamp, 1940's.
Metal
American Desk Lamp
Located in Warlingham, GB
Large Miller/Tiffany Studio style metal lamp of either green patinated bronze or wrought metal with pâte de verre glass panel shade. Date unknown but appears to be of some vintage an...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
A. Marciniak Desk Lamp
By A. Marciniak
Located in Den Bommel, NL
Very rare table- or desk lamp by A. Marciniak. Fantastic and minimalistic shape which will merge in its surroundings. Marciniak was strongly influenced by the Bauhaus movement design...
Vintage Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1940s
Located in Chesham, GB
A vintage 1940s bauhaus desk lamp in grey.
Metal
Black Desk Lamp 1940s Articulate
Located in Berkeley, CA
Metal black desk lamp, Bahaus style
Metal
Adjustable Brass Desk Lamp, France, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage brass desk lamp from France, 1940s. Newly rewired for U.S standards. Sits on a beautiful solid wood base with nice carved details. Brass shows some patina which only adds t...
Brass
Modernist Desk Lamp, Switzerland, 1940s, Edition
By BAG Turgi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An Industrial desk lamp deeply steeped in the ethos of Swiss and German Modernism. The simplified and lighter look reflects another design similar in form and function to the German ...
Nickel, Steel
Excellent Mixed Metal Industrial Desk Lamp
Located in Oakland, CA
This is the best of the genre. Large adjustable fluorescent work lamp from the 1940s. Polished steel construction with brass joints. The lamp is designed to clamp on to your work sur...
Art Deco Chrome Desk or Piano Lamp
Located in Fulton, CA
1930's Polished chrome desk or piano lamp. Three adjustment points for direction of light. Excellent condition.
Unavailable
H 13.78 in W 8.67 in D 7.09 in
Amazing Desk Lamp in a Collaboration by Arne Jacobsen & Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Wegner (1914-2007) A Mid-Century Modern design by two of the most prominent and outstanding Danish architects and designers of all time. This Desk lamp by Arne Jacobsen & Hans J. ...
Brass
Unavailable
H 12 in W 7 in D 5.5 in
American Art Deco Nickel-Plated Adjustable Desk Lamp with Bakelite Pen Holder
Located in Port Hope, ON
This delightfully designed American Art Deco nickel-plated, adjustable desk lamp features an offset double disk base with a black bakelite pen holder. Rising up from this is a curved...
Nickel
Vintage Banker's Desk Lamp, Enameled Metal and Brass, 1940s
Located in Hudson, NY
The first patent for a banker's lamp was filed on 11 May 1909 by Harrison D. McFaddin and were produced and sold under the brand name Emeralite ("emerald" and "light"). Originally sh...
Brass, Metal
Unavailable
H 16.93 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
Lacquered Brass and Leather Bound Desk Lamp by Einar Backstrom
By Einar Backstrom
Located in Babworth, Retford
Desk lamp with a spun brass shade supported by a leather bound stem on a circular brass base. Made in Backstrom's workshop, Sweden, 1940s.
Brass
1940s Art Deco Desk Lamp by Eileen Gray for Jumo, France
By Eileen Gray, Maison Jumo
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba
A beautiful desk lamp from the 1940s era designed by Eileen Gray for Jumo of France. Constructed out of brass and metal with and adjustable shaft and hood. Lamp is fitted with Dual l...
Metal, Brass
Unavailable
H 14.57 in W 17.72 in D 5.12 in
Original Art Deco Desk Lamp Design Eileen Gray, Manufacturer JUMO 1940s, France
By Eileen Gray, Maison Jumo
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Original Art Deco Desk lamp designed by Eileen Gray, manufactured by JUMO in 1940s in France.
Brass, Enamel
Unavailable
H 18 in Dm 12 in
Italian Late Art Deco Chrome and Black Enamel Adjustable Desk Lamp by Zerowatt
By Zerowatt, Gardoncini
Located in Port Hope, ON
This intriguingly designed adjustable shade desk or table lamp was manufactured in the years post World War II by the Italian electrical company, Zerowatt and its design is credited ...
Metal, Chrome
Unavailable
H 10.5 in W 9 in D 4 in
Vintage Articulating Aluminum Machine Age Cruise Ship Desk or Night Light
Located in Dallas, TX
Generally attributed to Donald Deskey, cabin lights for vintage ships like the S.S. United States. Possible S.S. US model. Shade and arm articulate for use as vanity light, etc. Or...
Desk Lamp, 1940
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Desk lamp, 1940, gilded and patinated sheet metal.
Sheet Metal
Desk Lamp, Charlotte Perriand, 1940
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Desk lamp, Charlotte Perriand Jumo edition Chromed and matte black lacquered metal, white reflector, two ball joints, circular base.
Metal
1940 Unusual Desk Lamp
Located in Surrey, BC
Very interesting small desk lamp with bakelite shade and metal base. The lamp is rewired and fully functional. Directional light. This light is not a new fabrication.
1940's Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
An unusual early twentieth century desk lamp with horizontal stacked glass with brass dividers. Currently wired for the UK. Please enquire for rewiring services. Please note: L...
Brass
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.
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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