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Chalkware Table

Mid Century Vintage 1960s Walnut Chalkware Table Lamp
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-century modern atomic plaster and walnut table lamp with original shade, circa 1960s. Features
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery, Walnut

Pair P. Sanfilippo California Modern Black & White Chalkware Table Lamps, 1950s
By P. Sanfilippo
Located in Bainbridge, NY
California Contemporary hand sculpted Pair of Incised Black and White Table Lamps by P. Sanfillipo
Category

Early 20th Century American Organic Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Composition

F.A.I.P. Vintage Monumental Plaster and Chalkware Table Lamp Marked
By F.A.I.P. 1
Located in Lomita, CA
lamps were created at a factory in Brooklyn during the 1950s and '60s that used fired plaster chalkware
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Pair of Art Deco Styled Figural Genie Princess Inspired Chalkware Table Lamps
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of figural chalkware or plaster table lamps are unsigned, but presumed to have been made
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Elite 93 Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A mid-century modern chalkware table lamp by Elite 93. Decorated with geometric shapes brushed in
Category

Vintage 1980s Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Elite 93 Table Lamp
Elite 93 Table Lamp
H 19.25 in W 8.25 in D 6 in
1950s Maria Kipp Table Lamp Shade, USA
By Quartite Creative Corp., Maria Kipp
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Maria Kipp chenille woven shade sitting on a well assorted US made chalkware table lamp by Quartite
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Chenille

Mid Century Modern F.A.I.P. Plaster Table Lamp Stylized Seating Lady 1950s
By F. A. I. P.
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Modern small plaster or chalkware table lamp of stylized seated Lady in pink from the
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Chalkware NYS Ballet Dancer Table Lamp
Located in Frederick, MD
frame around the vellum is contoured chalkware that gives the lamp texture. The soft glow this lamp
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Charcoal-Glazed Chalkware Rococo Table Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of urn form Rococo style heavy cast plaster table lamps with a tactile variegated gray glaze
Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Midcentury Female Bust Chalkware Lamp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century chalkware lamp featuring a detailed sculptural bust of a young girl with long blonde
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Saxon Crusader Robin Hood Chalkware Sculpture Continental Table Lamp
By Continental Art Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
nymph themed chalk-ware figural table lamp. Continental Art Lamp Company was a Chicago based
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster, String, Cotton

Saxon Crusader Robin Hood Chalkware Sculpture Continental Table Lamp, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of midcentury Saxon crusader Robin Hood wood nymph themed chalkware figural table lamps. Made
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Vintage John Richard Neoclassical Chalkware Amber & Gold Glass Vase Lamp 35"
By John Richard
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage John Richard neoclassically inspired table lamp with painted chalkware column base
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Continental Art Co. Green Fairy Chalkware Lamps with Fiberglass Shades
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of Continental Art Co. green fairy lamps. Vintage 1950s complete with fiberglass lamp shades. You’d be hard pressed to find a finer examples of early mid-century modern kitsch. ...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Plaster, Fiberglass

Postmodern Chalkware Lamps in the Style of Sottsass Marked Vard
By Sottsass Associati
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These fanciful and colorful lamps pay homage to the creative days of the postmodern era. These lamps are chalk ware, very heavy and marked Vard.
Category

Late 20th Century North American Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Large Mid-Century Modern Gold Colored Genie Lamps on Brass Bases
By Plasto Usa
Located in Chattanooga, TN
colored Chalkware genie lamps. The lamps have a regal Mediterranean or even Middle Eastern feel. The lamps
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Quartite Creative Corp Mid-Century Modern Genie Lamps
By Quartite Creative Corp.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
chalkware lamps were quite popular during the post war Boom. Light up your life with these delightfully
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Large James Mont Style Buddha Lamp
By James Mont
Located in Stamford, CT
Large James Mont style Buddha lamp. Painted chalkware Buddha head on black plinth with new black
Category

Vintage 1960s American Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Plaster

Pair of Mid-Century Large Antique White Owl Lamps with Original Shades
Located in Chattanooga, TN
These huge owl lamps will make heads spin maybe even 360 degrees. The obtuse chalkware (plaster
Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Plaster

Mid-Century Modern Avacado Green and Gold Plasto Lamps with Original Shades
By Plasto Usa
Located in Chattanooga, TN
shades. These green, conical shades are perfect mates for the beehive shaped lamps. The chalkware lamps
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Collectible Native American Indian Hunter with Wolf Headresses
By Universal Statuary Corp.
Located in Miami, FL
striking details. Would look great on a table, stand or shelf. Measures: 7 1/4" H x 3" W x 3" D
Category

20th Century American Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Pheasant and Apples, Painting, Oil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
studio, one of a pair of chalkware pheasants that I found in a thrift store that normally lives on my
Category

2010s Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

1970s Marwal Industries Large Scale Zebra Molded Resin Statue or Sculpture
By Marwal Ind. Inc.
Located in Topeka, KS
centerpiece on a dining table or surrounded by plants and foliage on a table in a sunroom. Marwal
Category

Vintage 1970s American Other Animal Sculptures

Materials

Resin, Plastic

People Also Browsed

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile, Wood

Casual Lamps of California Furniture Monumental Aztec Pattern Hand Painted Lamp
By Casual Lamps of California
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a rare find of an extremely large pottery lamp. The incised Mayan-theme etching of this monumental piece makes it a standout. It is precise and elegant, but most of all it is...
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery, Terracotta

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Rare Pair of Table/Desk Lamps, Circa 1960, Labelled
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Pair of extremely rare desk/table lights by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. The black enamelled textured base supports the bulb holder while the pivoting white upper section acts as t...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Enamel, Metal

Rare MOSS Articulating Fiberglass Reflector Table Lamp Mid Century Modern 1950s
By Moss Lamp Co. 1
Located in Peoria, AZ
RARE MCM ICON! MOSS FIBERGLASS REFLECTOR SHADE AND CONE TABLE LAMP! (APPROX. 17" TALL By 15" WIDE ) Here is the famous MOSS fiberglass lamp with a cone and reflector design. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Magnificent Modeline Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood Table Lamp 1958 Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Peoria, AZ
GORGEOUS! HAND CARVED DANISH MODERN ROSEWOOD & BRASS MODELINE OF CALIFORNIA TABLE LAMP! The Epitome of Danish Modernism! Simply Beautiful! DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 36" TALL 18"...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Danish Modern Modeline Sculptural TEAK TABLE LAMP! Hans Wegner 1950s
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Peoria, AZ
SUPERB DESIGN! DANISH MODERN MODELINE TEAK WOOD TABLE LAMP! HANDCRAFTED! Approx. 32" High By 18" Wide CIRCA 1957 This lamp is magnificent! A Danish Modern mid centur...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Teak

Vintage Mid Century Modern Style Walnut Toned Table Lamp.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Table Lamp with WalnutToned Base. Circa 1960s/1970s. Oatmeal Tone Lamp Shade Included. Light Bulb not Included. Possibly Teak. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictur...
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

French 1920's Art Deco Table Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Two semi nude females sitting on three step bases in oxidized copper finish holding urns that can be used as inset burner with center amber/yellow color face glass shade art deco tab...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Chrome, Spelter

French 1920's Art Deco Table Lamp
French 1920's Art Deco Table Lamp
H 9.5 in W 14.5 in D 4 in
Marshall Studios Martz Ceramic Triangular Incised Pottery Midcentury Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
?? WHAT'S INCLUDED? — This listing is for the lamps only. New shades, exactly matching the catalog dimensions can be purchased upon request. ?? WHAT IS IT? — This absolutely...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Burlap, Walnut

Vintage Brass Toned Mid Century Modern Table Lamp.
Located in Seattle, WA
Beautiful Vintage Table Lamp with Walnut Toned Wood Accents and Brass Tone Base. Light Bulb not Included. Oatmeal Toned Lamp Shade Included . Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as...
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Fine Antique Onyx and Bronze Desk Ink Stand Pen Rest Faux Book and Blotter Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and antique onyx and bronze desk set featuring a sculpture of Rodin's Thinker done by Hungarian sculptor Andor Ruff. From the AskArt website, "Andor Ruff was born in 1885, in ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Desk Sets

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of a French Patinated Bronze Architectural Style Grand Tour Regency Period Double Inkstand of rectangular outline and compact proportions. First quarter of ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Grand Tour Desk Sets

Materials

Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze

Art Deco Table Lamp with Dogs - Black and White
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A lovely Art Deco table lamp, flanked by two dogs (black and white). Made of chrome plated metal. The lampshade is made of satined glass. The lamp is in good and working condition....
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Art Deco Table Lamp with Dogs - Black and White
Art Deco Table Lamp with Dogs - Black and White
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H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in
Pleated Mica Shade Table Lamp, Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Pleated mica shade lamp with middle eastern stylized bronze palm tree base. Some silver high lights on the palm leaves. Circa 1920's.
Category

Early 20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Degué French Art Deco Table Lamp, Late 1920s
By Studio Art Deco
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco table lamp by Degue (Compiegne), France, late 1930s. Thick molded glass shade. Original wrought iron base. Measures: Height 14.2" (36cm), diameter of the base 5.9"(15...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large Antique Chinese Blue Flambé Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Tampa, FL
An early 19th century or later Chinese blue flambé porcelain vase as a lamp. Lamp is with a perforated wooden carved cap. Has two places for bob’s and a finial. The cord has a dimmer...
Category

Antique 1820s Chinese Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

Pair of Shell Pink Chalkware Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
+ A pair of three layer palest pink lamps + Each section comprised of six panels + Matte finish with subtle relief texture + Vessel glazed with shade of pink like a conch shell in...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Rare Pair of Large Teak and Chalkware Lamps by Plasto
By Plasto Usa
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
You don't often see a pair of 1950s lamps with intact tower shades. These teak, brass and chalkware
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Studio Pottery Chalkware English Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A sculptural textured ceramic lamp. Midcentury, sourced in England, circa 1960s. In perfect condition apart from one small nick (see photos). Since re-wired and PAT tested wit...
Category

Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery

Midcentury Brown Floral Chalkware Lamp
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hollywood Regency chalkware lamp with floral and acanthus carvings and painted in a chocolate brown
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Mid-Century Modern Monumental FAIP Pair of Chalkware Ceramic Table Lamps
By F.A.I.P. 1
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a massive pair of chalkware ceramic table lamps, by F.A.I.P- New York
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Intricately Carved Ivory Color Chinese Asian Chalkware Lamps
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A savory patina enriches the bone colored vintage carved Asian chalkware lamps. Each bit of these
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Greco Roman Muse Goddess Fountain Woman Chalkware Lamps
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Incredible pair of Greco Roman muse chalkware lamps. The 36″ tall beautifully modeled lamps
Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster, Ceramic

Chic Pair of American 1960s Ivory and Brown Lava Glaze Chalkware Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each of compressed spheroid form with incised swirl pattern retaining their chic original conical-form shades; 12.5" (top of ceramic) 40" (top of shade).
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Sylvia Hood Original Vintage Harvest Couple Chalkware Figurines, circa 1960-1965
By Sylvia Hood
Located in Topeka, KS
Sylvia Hood original vintage harvest couple chalkware figurines one man and one woman. These Iconic
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Other

Chinoiserie Asian Chalkware Bust of a Woman Attributed to Esther Hunt, 1920s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
bust is created from chalkware and features a Chinese woman with dark hair pulled into two buns at each
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Rare Marwal Ind Inc Seated Chalkware Monkey Chimp Ape Sculpture Statue 13"
By Marwal Ind. Inc.
Located in Dayton, OH
Inc, crafted of chalkware with a glossy lacquer finish. "Marwal Industries, LLC - A History Peter
Category

Mid-20th Century Animal Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Mid Century Geometric F.A.I.P Style Black Plaster Lamp
Located in Redding, CT
/chalkware. This lamp is Signed Osbourne Creative Corporation on the back base. This stacked Regal lamp would
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Large Collectible Native American Indian Chief Sculpture Signed Vaughn Kendrick
By Vaughn Kendrick, Universal Statuary Corp.
Located in Miami, FL
Vaughn Kendrick in 1973. Signed. Striking details. Would look great on any table, stand or shelf
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Continental Art Co. Dancers Chalkware Table Lamps, Art Deco Style, 1951
By Continental Art Company
Located in Miami, FL
Continental Art Co. Dancers Chalkware table lamps, Art Deco style, 1951. Offered for sale is a
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster, Fabric

Architectural Chalkware and Metal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Plaster faux cork table lamps with brass colored metal spacer elements. Pair original, circa 1950s
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Carl Romanelli Chalkware Polynesian Prince & Princess Lamp, Pair *Saturday Sale*
By Carl Romanelli
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Made circa 1953, these chalkware Polynesian prince and princess lamps were originally sculpted by
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Antique Seated Buddha Desk or Table Lamp, ca. 1920s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique hand-painted seated Buddha desk or table lamp, circa 1920s. There are several
Category

Vintage 1920s American Table Lamps

Pair of Black Figurative Table Lamps by F.A.I.P, 1950s
By F.A.I.P. 1
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A small pair of black figurative chalkware lamps depicting a crouching male and female with white
Category

Mid-20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Large James Mont Style Buddha Lamp
By James Mont
Located in Stamford, CT
Large James among style Buddha lamp. Off white chalkware Buddha head on black wood base. Newly
Category

Vintage 1960s American Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Large James Mont Style Buddha Lamp
Large James Mont Style Buddha Lamp
H 34.5 in W 5 in D 7 in
Collectible Native American Indian Chief Statue
By Universal Statuary Corp.
Located in Miami, FL
this piece shows age appropriate wear, it has striking details. Would look great on any table, stand
Category

20th Century American Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Collectible Native American Indian Chief Statue
Collectible Native American Indian Chief Statue
2 bids
H 10.38 in W 6.75 in D 4.75 in
American Chalkware Seated Asian Infant Figure Side Table
Located in New York, NY
into a pair of side tables with square cut glass tops.
Category

Antique 19th Century American Chinoiserie Side Tables

Materials

Glass, Plaster

Pair of Retro Chalkware Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cool and kitschy; the best Oriental chalkware lamps ever! Includes the original paper shades and
Category

Vintage 1940s American Table Lamps

Pair of Retro Chalkware Lamps
Pair of Retro Chalkware Lamps
H 29 in W 13 in D 13 in
Pair of Chinese Chalkware Figural Lamps
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of Chinese chalkware figural statues mounted as lamps, circa 1930. The shades are included
Category

Vintage 1930s Table Lamps

Pair of Mid Century Chalkware Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of svelte and stylish mid century chalk ware lamps. The lamps are light blue with pink, brown, and white accents, and an abstract aquatic motif. Signed Tye of Calif. Each one...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Pair of White Mid Century Chalkware Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Graphic pair of Mid Century table lamps with white original patina. The hardware and bases are all
Category

Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps

Gritt Co Indian Girl Chalkware Motion Lamp, circa 1928
Located in Portland, OR
Motion lamps, spinner lamps, scene in action lamps these unique table-top fixtures used the heat
Category

Vintage 1920s Revival Table Lamps

Pair Feather Lamps
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair Regency style chalkware lamps; rewired and restored. shades for photos only.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Table Lamps

Pair Feather Lamps
Pair Feather Lamps
H 20 in W 6 in D 6 in
Pair of Lamps By F.A.I.P
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of Lamps By F.A.I.P Fashion Accents in Plastic Lamps called "Chalkware"
Category

Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps

Vintage 1950s Plaster Seahorse and Starfish Lamp
Located in Hudson, NY
A classic and beautiful example of one of the most sought after chalkware plaster figural lamps
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Pair of Neoclassical Lavender Lacquered Cherub and Rams Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing Pair of 1960s custom lacquered and hand-painted gold beaded detail chalkware lamps
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chalkware Lamps Attributed to Frederick Weinberg for F.A.I.P.
By Frederic Weinberg, F.A.I.P. 1
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of textured and decorated 1950s ceramic table lamps attributed to Frederick Weinberg for
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Plaster

Midcentury Pair of Monumental Chalkware Glaze "Lava" Lamps By, F.A.I.P.
By F.A.I.P. 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-20th century modern Monumental chalkware "lava' table lamps with original shades By, F.A.I.P
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Fabric, Teak, Ceramic

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Chalkware Table For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic chalkware table available at 1stDibs. Each chalkware table for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using ceramic, plaster and metal. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect chalkware table — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A chalkware table is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency and Art Deco styles are sought with frequency. A well-made chalkware table has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by F.A.I.P., Carl Romanelli and P. Sanfilippo are consistently popular.

How Much is a Chalkware Table?

The average selling price for a chalkware table at 1stDibs is $1,600, while they’re typically $393 on the low end and $3,450 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right table-lamps for You

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.

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