Mid-Century Modern Lucite with Chrome Eyeball Desk Table Lamp Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant table desk lamp fully adjustable. Lamp pivots on a Lucite 7 x 7 base, tightens with the use of a chrome thumbscrew.
Chrome
Kurt Versen Style Gooseneck Polished Aluminum Cone Shade Desk Lamp, C. 1950
By Kurt Versen
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Kurt Versen style adjustable Polished Aluminum Library Desk Lamp, 1950's.
Metal, Aluminum, Iron
Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp by G Scott, Red Metal, UK, c.1950
By G Scott
Located in London, GB
A small red cocotte desk lamp with adjustable brass neck designed by GA Scott for Maclamp & Co.
Metal, Brass
A 1930s French Art Deco Desk Lamp in Brass, Marble and Green Enamel
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1930 A fine Art Deco French desk lamp, with adjustable green enamel shade, and rectangular marble plinth base, the brass with stepped decoration to the top and the base.
Marble, Brass, Enamel
$226Sale Price / set|50% Off
Mid-Century Stilux Milano Set of 2 Brass & Metal Table-Desk Lamp, 1950s, Italy
By Stilux
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of delightful adjustable table or desk lamps in light green lacquered metal, with rod in brass rod.
Brass, Metal
1960's Table Lamp by Regent (Switzerland)
By Regent
Located in Bern, BE
Stylish 1960’s Regent Table / Desk Lamp. Adjustable chromed neck & metal base with on/off switch.
Metal
$1,815 / item
Pair of French 1960s Architect's Lamps
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Pair of desk lamps with adjustable shades (height and angle), designed to be fixed to the edge of the table or work surface.
Metal
Grey Industrial Workshop Gooseneck Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This adjustable gooseneck desk lamp was designed and manufactured in Hungary during the 1960s.
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron
Falkenbergs Belysning, Table Lamps, Metal, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Falkenbergs Belysning
Located in Stamford, CT
Falkenbergs Belysning, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Table Lamps, Metal, Brass, Sweden, 1950s Pair of model 6151 adjustable table or desk lamps designed and produced by Falkenbergs Be...
Metal, Brass
Oluce Calamaio 298 Table Lamp - Mustard yellow - 220–240V
By Oluce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Its contemporary character is expressed through pure geometric forms combined with bold lacquered finishes, making it both a functional object and a strong visual presence on the des...
Metal
Oluce Calamaio 298 Table Lamp - Scarlet red - 220–240V
By Oluce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Its contemporary character is expressed through pure geometric forms combined with bold lacquered finishes, making it both a functional object and a strong visual presence on the des...
Metal
American Designer, Table Lamp, Lacquered Metal, United States 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable table lamp / desk light. Designed and produced in the United States, c. 1940s.
Metal
Oluce Calamaio 298 Table Lamp - Satin Black Nickel - 220–240V
By Oluce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Its aesthetic is defined by a bold, contemporary character enhanced by the refined Satin Black Nickel finish, which highlights the purity of the forms and the technical identity of t...
Metal
French Louis XVI Style Silver Plated Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XVI Style silver plated bronze bouillotte lamp. This stunning antique French Louis XVI style silver plated bronze bouillotte lamp or desk lamp with adjustable tole shade...
Bronze, Tôle
Midcentury Working Table Lamp Napako, Josef Hurka, 1970s
By Josef Hurka, Napako
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very practical - Adjustable - Desk / working lamp.
Metal
Green Perspex, Brass & Marble Midcentury Table Lamp by Stilux
By Stilux
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Adjustable table or desk lamp designed and produced by Stilux, Milan in the 1960s.
Carrara Marble, Brass
Harald Notini, Table Lamp, Brass, Stained Elm, Böhlmarks, Sweden, 1940s
By Bohlmarks
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable modernist table lamp or desk light in stained elm and brass.
Brass
Pitt Müller 'Attribution', Table Lamp, Brass, Lacquered Metal, Germany, 1950s
By Pitt Müller
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable table lamp or desk light, in brass and brown-lacquered metal.
Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Three Shade Copper Table Lamp by E. S. Horn, 1950s
By E. S. Horn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A very rare fully adjustable 3-shaded table or desk lamp. It has patinated solid copper shades and flexible brass 'goose'necks' that allows adjustment in every angle.
Brass, Copper, Steel
1960s Rare Iconic SLZ Team Floor Lamp with Aluminium Shades , Switzerland
By Trix and Robert Haussmann
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
The team produced a variety of lamps, including distinctive Space Age floor lamps, adjustable desk and shelf clamp lamps, and multi-directional wall sconces.
Aluminum, Steel
Midcentury Teal Blue Diablo Table Lamp by Solbergs Fabrikker, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This stylish table or desk lamp with adjustable shade is executed with a brass rod and mechanism, a cast-iron base/foot and a partially piercet aluminum shade in an exquisite origina...
Aluminum, Brass, Iron
Pair of Italian 1960s table lamps with square glass base, Fontana Arte Style
Located in London, GB
Chic pair of desk / table lamps. Adjustable cream metal shade hangs from adjustable gooseneck curved brass arm with circular tiered detail that hold press button switch.
Metal, Brass
Medical DDR Table Lamp in Bakelite and Aluminium, circa 1940
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Vintage East German adjustable bakelite desk lamp by EMVT: Elektro-Medizin-Vakuum-Technik, circa 1940s.
Aluminum
Alain Richard A4 Table Lamp, Chrome & Marble, Mid-Century Modern, 1960
By Disderot, Alain Richard
Located in PARIS, FR
This table or desk lamp with adjustable fittings that can be positioned at any height and angle, providing functional illumination for the space.
Steel
Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Orb Shade Table Lamp on Black Base
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Robert Sonneman adjustable chrome globe desk lamp, Circa 1970. Featuring a heavy Black enameled rectangular base (5.5 x 8) with reflective, vented, articulating (7D) chrome ba...
Metal, Chrome
Ring A 400 Table Lamp by Bruno Gecchelin for Arteluce, 1970s
By Bruno Gecchelin, Arteluce
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Like described in a Arteluce catalogue: "Desk or table adjustable lamp, giving direct light with 220 V halogen bulb.
Metal
Gray Vintage Hala Busquet/Hala 144 Table Lamp by Herman Busquet, 1970s
By Herman Theodoor Jan Anthoin Busquet
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
Also the shade itself can be adjusted in position. The desk lamp requires an E27/26 lightbulb.
Metal
Table Lamp 'Gradi Scrivania' by Bettonica E Melocchi for Cini & Nils Italy 1990s
By Mario Melocchi and Franco Bettonica, Cini & Nils
Located in München, BY
Elegant and adjustable Postmodern table lamp or desk light 'Gradi Scrivania'.
Steel, Chrome
Mario Barbaglia Marco Colombo Dove Vintage Table Lamp for Paf Studio 1980s Italy
By PAF Studio, Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
The desk lamp is adjustable from up to down and rotates on its base.
Metal
Pair of Bauhaus Table Lamps attr. to Christian Dell for Kaiser Idell C. 1930s
By Kaiser Leuchten, Christian Dell
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
Tito Agnoli Model 255 clamp table light for O-Luce c1954
By Arredoluce, Tito Agnoli
Located in London, GB
Italy 1954. Minimalist desk lamp. Articulated, adjustable clamp light Perfect minimal design.
Nickel
$1,080Sale Price|43% Off
Italian Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Orange Italian Desk lamp ,adjustable height and neck .Base is 360 degree rotating all in good original condition .
Metal, Aluminum
$2,240Sale Price / set|41% Off
Prince De Galles Hotel Elegant Pair of Oxidized Brass Sconces 1940
Located in Encino, CA
This set of 70 sconces is the only set that will ever be available on the market from the Prince de Galles. We also have an adjustable bronze desk lamps and bronze and crystal table ...
Brass
$1,800 / item
Industrial Desk Lamp, Cast Iron and Steel Adjustable
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
Table task lamp, cast iron and steel American adjustable desk light, vintage Industrial.
Enamel, Steel, Iron
Industrial Desk Lamp - Cast Iron and Steel Adjustable
Located in Oakville, CT
Table task lamp, cast iron and steel American adjustable desk light, vintage Industrial.
Enamel, Steel, Iron
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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