Midcentury adjustable diabolo counter balance architectural desk lamp, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Zaandam, NL
A perfect example of midcentury italian craftsmanship from the 1960s. The brass is in a lovely patinated condition. The diabolo shade can be adjusted as can be seen in the pics. The ...
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Hand Painted Adjustable Wooden Desk Lamp
Located in Sofia, BG
Very rear hand painted desk lamp in dark mustard color made of wood. France, circa 1860.
Wood
Vintage Modern Frederick Cooper Brass Adjustable Pharmacy Desk Lamp, Chicago
By Frederick Cooper
Located in San Carlos, CA
A vintage brass pharmacy-style desk lamp by Frederick Cooper, Chicago — a maker known since 1923 for well-crafted lighting with a distinct modernist edge.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Metal Desk Lamp, Germany, 1960s
Located in Beirut, LB
Minimalist design from the 1950's that was considered far ahead of its time. Made from metal, mounted on a high rod which allows the user to adjust the height of the light. Head is a...
Metal
Space Age Adjustable-Height Desk Lamp in Blue by Dazor
By Dazor
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1960s; Dazor Manufacturing Corp. - St. Louis, MO Mid-Century Modern enameled steel desk lamp. This piece features Space Age design, forming a flying saucer-type shade attached t...
Steel
70s BAUHAUS Chrome Desk Lamp – Adjustable Red Spotlight Table Lam
Located in Ljubljana, SI
The lamp is mounted on a vertical rod with an adjustable sliding mechanism, allowing you to easily position the light for reading, workspace use, or ambient accent lighting.
Metal, Chrome
$241Sale Price|19% Off
1950s Vintage Adjustable Desk Table Lamp with Brass Structure
Located in Milano, Lombardia
1950s vintage lamp, Italian manufacture. The lamp has a brass structure.
Brass, Iron
Iris Table Lamp: Brass Desk Light with 8" Adjustable Shade
By lightexture
Located in Troy, NY
The Iris Table Lamp elevates your room’s atmosphere with adjustable light direction and mesmerizing projections. This innovative lamp is crafted for function and style, offering a dy...
Brass
Adjustable Modernist Desk Lamp Made by SIS Lights.Germany 1960.
Located in Brussels, BE
Adjustable modernist table lamp with a yellow cap on a white base. One light. Made for SIS Llght - Germany 1960.
Metal, Brass
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
Vintage Red Adjustable Desk/Side Table Lamp by Massive, 1970s
By Massive Lighting
Located in Verviers, BE
Classic compact design, this adjustable spotlight desk lamp was produced by Massive in the 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
Small White Tensor Post Modern Adjustable Telescoping Eyeball Desk Lamp
By Tensor
Located in Chicago, IL
Quintessential post-modern 1990s white Tensor desk lamp with high-gloss hard plastic base and shade, and stainless steel neck.
Stainless Steel
French Brass Desk Lamp, Adjustable Arm, Belle Époque Style, 1960
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French adjustable brass desk lamp This is an unusual piece, the lamp has a heavy brass base which supports an articulated arm, this can be moved to adjust the position of the lig...
Brass
Vintage Gray Adjustable Desk/Side Table Lamp by Sis, 1950s
By SIS
Located in Verviers, BE
Classic compact design, this adjustable spotlight desk lamp was produced by SIS, Germany, 1950's The Stand is metal and the flexible arm has brass patina, the lamp is in good condit...
Metal, Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Red Desk Lamp with Adjustable Gooseneck
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage adjustable gooseneck desk lamp made in Italy in the '70s.
Metal
$857Sale Price|42% Off
19th Century French Brass Desk Adjustable Lamp in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century electrified brass desk lamp in Empire style. The part with the bulbs is adjustable.
Brass
Industrial Black Enameled Metal Adjustable Italian Table Desk Lamp, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury industrial black enamelled metal adjustable table desk lamp. This fantastic item was designed in Italy during the 1940s.
Steel, Metal
$632Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Adjustable Chrome Ball Desk Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Excellent example of mid-century design this desk or reading lamp Shipping & Location This item is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We offer secure, professional packaging and r...
Aluminum, Steel
S. Robert Schwartz & Bro. American Art Deco Adjustable Banker’s Desk Lamp
Located in Nottingham, GB
An original American Art Deco banker’s desk lamp by S. Robert Schwartz & Bro., New York, dating to circa 1925.
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Art Deco Style Vintage Brass Twin-Arm Adjustable Bankers Desk Lamp
Located in Nottingham, GB
A curved twin-tube stem and cylindrical cowl shade define this brass desk lamp, designed in the Art Deco manner to cast targeted illumination across a study desk, ledger, or reading ...
Brass
Mid-Century Brass Desk Lamp by Valinte Oy, Adjustable Shade, Finland
By Valinte Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
The adjustable shade allows the light to be directed as needed, making it suitable as a desk lamp, reading lamp, or accent light.
Brass
Adjustable Bauhaus Table Lamp or Desk Light by SIS Germany 1930s
By SIS, Kaiser Leuchten, Bünte und Remmler, Kaiser Idell, Christian Dell
Located in München, BY
Elegant Bauhaus / Modernist table lamp or desk light. Adjustable, rotating and removable lamp shade.
Steel, Aluminum, Iron, Nickel
German Vintage Adjustable Brass and Glass Table Desk Lamp 1970s
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful adjustable brass and white glass table light. Germany, 1970s.
Brass
Koch & Lowy Adjustable Triple Octagon Shade Chrome Desk Lamp, 1960s
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Adjusting Chrome Triple Octagon Shade Table Lamp, attributed Koch & Lowy. Featuring chrome stem, three pivoting, eight-sided chrome plate cylinder exterior shades, off-white enameled...
Chrome, Metal
Large Iris Table Lamp: Brass Desk Light with 13" Adjustable Shade
By lightexture
Located in Troy, NY
The Iris Table Lamp elevates your room’s atmosphere with adjustable light direction and mesmerizing projections. This innovative lamp is crafted for function and style, offering a dy...
Brass
Postmodern Adjustable Angle Poise Desk Lamp by LUXO c 1970's
By Luxo
Located in New York, NY
Unusual adjustable desk, or task, lamp made in Denmark by Luxo.
Metal
Pair of Mid Century Italian Modern Artemide Desk Lamps Adjustable Height
By Artemide
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid Century Italian Modern Artemide Desk Lamps Adjustable Height
Chrome
Vintage Adjustable Desk/Side Table Lamp by Veneta Lumi, Italy, 1970s
By Veneta Lumi
Located in Verviers, BE
Classic compact design, this adjustable spotlight desk lamp was produced by Veneta Lumi in the 1970s.
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Modern Adjustable Height Brass Cone Task Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Adjustable Height Brass Cone Task Desk Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century.
Metal, Brass
$150Sale Price|50% Off
Vintage Post Modern Desk Lamp ... 1980s Adjustable Folding Task Light, Modular
Located in Chicago, IL
Folding post modern desk lamp made of high-impact plastic. Most likely by Marksman Brown, made in Taiwan.
Plastic
Italian Midcentury Black and Brass Adjustable Clamp Desk Lamp by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Vienna, AT
This Charming Italian 1950s brass clamp desk or table lamp with black lacquered adjustable and perforated shade has been manufactured by Stilnovo in the 1950s.
Brass, Metal
$521Sale Price|24% Off
Italian Modern Space Age Desk Lamp by Zonca, White, Adjustable, 1970s
By Zonca
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Italian Modern Space Age White Desk Lamp by Zonca, 1970s This flexible white table desk lamp manufactured from Zonca LTD in the 1970s, captures the essence of space-age design with ...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Industrial Adjustable Brown Metal Desk Lamp by Dazor
By Dazor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Industrial Adjustable Brown Metal Desk Lamp by Dazor. Circa Late 20th Century.
Metal
1940s Table / Desk Lamp with Adjustable Shade in Brass by ASEA
By Hans Bergström, ASEA
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and cute little table / desk lamp from the 1940s in brass made by ASEA in Sweden and attributed to designer Hans Bergström. This table lamp is in good condition and technic...
Metal, Brass
Swedish Designer, Adjustable Retro Desk Lamp in Yellow Lacquered Metal, 1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Swedish designer. Adjustable retro desk lamp in yellow lacquered metal and chrome. 1970s.
Metal
Brushed Aluminum Spot Desk Lamp with H-Base Adjustable Shade Vintage 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An adjustable cylindrical shade and a slim chrome stem give this spot desk lamp a clean industrial profile.
Metal
Large Adjustable Articulated Desk Lamp in Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern
By Stilnovo
Located in Rome, IT
Adjustable articulated desk lamp in Stilnovo style, in black metal and brass.
Metal, Brass
Table Desk Lamp, Patinated Brass Green Adjustable Shade Black Metal, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A large table or desk lmap manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1950s. The shade can be fixed in several positions. The lamp is Italian or Austrian. It is attributed to one of the foll...
Metal, Brass
Charming Set of Adjustable Hemi Desk or Table Lamps, Sweden, 1960s
By Hemi Belysning
Located in Voorburg, NL
Very nice, practical and charming set of desk lamps from the ‘60s made by Hemi of Sweden.
Steel
OMI Polished Brass Adjustable Desk or Piano Lamp, 1970s Modernist Task Light
By Cedric Hartman, OMI, Koch & Lowy
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant vintage polished brass task lamp by OMI, circa 1970s–1980s. Featuring a sleek cylindrical shade suspended from a double articulating arm, this refined modernist design combin...
Brass
Angelo Lelli Style Adjustable Chrome Desk Lamp with Chrome Ball Shade
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Angelo Lelli style adjustable magnetic chrome reading lamp, bedside lamp with chrome swivel eyeball shade. 1960's. Featuring a black magnetic bar arm, 5D chrome ball shade adjusting ...
Chrome, Magnets, Metal
Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Table Lamp Adjustable Pen Shell Shade
By Maitland Smith
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Table Lamp with Adjustable Pen Shell Shade.
Bronze
VintageJean-René Talopp black / Brown Adjustable Desk/Side Lamp by Manade Parijs
By Manade, Jean-René Talopp
Located in Verviers, BE
VintageJean-René Talopp black / Brown Adjustable Desk/Side Lamp by Manade Parijs Classic compact design, this adjustable spotlight desk lamp was produced by Manada Company Parijs Dig...
Metal, Chrome
Yasha Heifetz Adjusting Maple Desk Lamp with Beige Rotaflex Shade, 1950's
By Yasha Heifetz, Heifetz Rotaflex
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid-Century Modern adjustable Heifetz Rotaflex Desk Lamp. Featuring original articulating Brass stem, vented Taupe and Off White coiled Rotaflex Bell shade atop a circular, ...
Acrylic, Maple
Mid-Century Mint Green Czech Desk Lamp with Chrome and Adjustable Shade
Located in Praha, CZ
This 1970s Czechoslovak mid-century desk lamp features a mint green metal dome shade supported by elegant chrome arcs.
Metal, Chrome
Mid Century Industrial Mechanical Adjustable Tension Desk Lamp by Tensor, 1980's
By Tensor
Located in Deland, FL
About: Introducing a Tensor adjustable desk or table lamp with perfect 1970's Industrial styling that is small in size but great for tight space for its small footprint.
Metal, Wire
Rare Adjustable Wrought Iron Desk or Piano Lamp Amsterdamse School, ca. 1910s
Located in Lisse, NL
This allows us to provide the best possible service and care for your purchase. Adjustable wrought iron desk lamp with counterweight, Dutch expressionist ca. 1920.
Wrought Iron
Vintage c1970s Italian Mid Century Modern Adjustable Brass Desk Table Lamp MINT!
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Vintage c1970s Italian Mid Century Modern Adjustable Brass Desk Table Lamp MINT!
Composition, Brass
VintageJean-René Talopp Red Adjustable Desk/Side Table Lamp by Manade Parijs
By Manade, Jean-René Talopp
Located in Verviers, BE
Classic compact design, this adjustable spotlight desk lamp was produced by Manada Company Parijs DigsinerJean-René Talopp The lamp is fully original and in good condition which has ...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Acme Lite Beige Mid Century Modern Retro Adjustable Gooseneck Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Acme Lite Beige Mid Century Modern Retro Adjustable Gooseneck Desk Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century.
Plastic
$460Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Adjustable Chrome Pharmacy Desk Lamp in the Style of Koch & Lowy
By Koch & Lowy
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice midcentury adjustable chrome pharmacy desk lamp with elongated shade in the style of Koch & Lowy, circa 1960s.
Chrome
$5,997Sale Price|40% Off
7ft Giant Mid-Century Adjustable "Max" Floor Desk Lamp by Max Inc.
By Max Alto
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is an oversized 94" floor lamp from the 1960s and is based on the Classic Anglepoise system desk lamp designed by George Carwardine in 1932. The Max lamp can be set in an infini...
Enamel, Steel
Stilnovo Adjustable Brass Desk Lamp, Black and Red Diabolo Shade, Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare desk/table lamp was produced by Stilnovo in Italy in the mid 1950s.
Metal, Brass
Adjustable Mid-Century Modern Brass Table Lamp or Desk Light Sweden 1960s
By Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Florian Schulz
Located in München, BY
Elegant Mid-Century Modern brass table lamp. With adjustable arm and rotating lamp shade. Designed and manufactured probably in Sweden, 1960s. Executed in brass sheet and tube, the ...
Brass
Marianne Brandt Table Desk Lamp for Kandem with Adjustable Arm and Shade
By Kandem
Located in Chicago, IL
The adjustable arm and shade make it an excellent task / work lamp.
Metal
Adjustable Pair of Minimalist Articulated Desk Clamp Lamps by Staff Germany 1960
By Staff Leuchten
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant pair of adjustable clamp desk lamps made and marked by Staff Leuchten in the 1960s in Germany.
Chrome
Antique Vintage French Adjustable Bronze Opaque Desk Table Swan Neck Lamp Light
Located in Sale, GB
- A wonderful decorative cast faded gilt brass table lamp with opaque glass shade, France circa 1930. ...
Brass
Bakelite and Aluminum Industrial Desk Work Lamp with Adjustable Arm and Shade
Located in Chicago, IL
Nice, circa 1930s, modernist style desk lamp in Bakelite and aluminum. The arm pivots on a ball and socket joint, and the shade adjusts its position on the arm.
Aluminum
Boréns Adjustable Desk/Table Lamp in Brass and Teak, Model B8554, Sweden, 1960s
By Boréns Borås
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare desk/table lamp was produced by Boréns in Borås, Sweden, in the 1960s.
Brass
Nessen Studios Adjustable Chrome Desk Lamp with White Aluminum Shade, 1960's
By Nessen Studio
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic Nessen Studios (Model #NS966) Chrome and White Enamel Table Lamp. Featuring a perforated slightly adjusting, modern bell shaped White enameled Aluminum shade, fully rotating ...
Chrome, Metal
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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