Italian Stilnovo Style Counterweight Desk Lamp, Liguria, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
Italian Stilnovo Style Counterweight Desk Lamp, 1950s A striking mid-century Italian desk lamp in the manner of Stilnovo, dating to the 1950s.
Brass, Steel
Wonderful Counterweight Desk Lamp by Bent Karlby
By Bent Karlby
Located in Munich, DE
Nickel-plated and black lacquered metal spotlight with grey lacquered metal shade. Manufactured by Lyfa. Can be adjusted by the counterweight.
Metal
Postmodern Counterweight Desk Lamp Albert Sonneman, USA, 1970s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stunning large Post Modern Desk lamp. Counter Weight using a solid Steel ball to move in every direction. Nice architectural design. Switch on the shade. one large E27 bulb needed...
Metal
$2,003Sale Price|30% Off
Postmodern Counterweight Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman, USA 1970-80s
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Ingenious desk lamp with a counterweight mechanism which allows the lamp to be stable in every position.
Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Jan Hoogervorst for Anvia Chrome Counterweight Desk Lamp with Black Shade
By J. J. M. Hoogervorst, Anvia
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Mid Century Chrome and Black Counterweight Table Lamp by J.J.M. Hoogervorst for Anvia. Featuring a sturdy, adjustable balanced form with chrome-plated rod stem and adjustable arm, B...
Metal, Enamel, Chrome, Iron
Chrome Desk Lamp with Counterweight, Italy 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian desk lamp from the 1970s features sleek chrome construction and a convenient counterweight design.
Chrome
Counterweight Desk Table Lamp by Hadrill & Horstmann
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in Vienna, AT
A Horstmann counter balanced magnifying simplus light. Good original condition, untouched and unrestored, made in England by Hadrill & Horstman in the 1930s.
Steel
Industrial Counterweight Pulley Desk Lamp in Brass with Antiqued Silver Finish
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c. industrial counterweight pulley desk/table lamp in solid brass (lamp weighs 14.8lbs) with an antiqued silver finish.
Silver, Brass
Rare Adjustable Wrought Iron Desk or Piano Lamp Amsterdamse School, ca. 1910s
Located in Lisse, NL
Adjustable wrought iron desk lamp with counterweight, Dutch expressionist ca. 1920.
Wrought Iron
Counter Balance Architect Desk Lamp, 1980s
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Black metal Architect desk lamp with counterweight and red details, reminiscent of the Memphis Group style.
Metal, Enamel
Vintage Style Counterweight Desk Lamp
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in New York, NY
Vintage style counterweight desk lamp by Hadrill & Horstmann Limited, England, circa 1980-1990.
Chrome Counterweight Desk Lamp by Optelma, Switzerland
By Optelma
Located in Long Island City, NY
Chrome counterweight desk lamp by Optelma, Switzerland.
Chrome
Counterweight Desk Lamp
Located in Culver City, CA
With original green paint. Wonderful patina. England circa 1920
Metal
Italian Counterweight Desk Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
An Italian desk lamp with large cantilevered counterweight and articulating shade.
Large Italian Stilnovo Counterweight Desk Lamp, Italy 1960
By Stilnovo
Located in Oirlo, LI
Beautiful elegant counterweight desk or table lamp identical to Stilnovo.
Metal, Brass
English Chrome Counterweight Desk Lamp by Hadrill & Horstman
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century counterweight lamp made by Hadrill & Horstmann Ltd. England, circa 1940 to 1950. Features highly-polished aluminum and polished chrome finish. Lamps are vintage an...
Aluminum
Sold
H 14.97 in W 5.52 in D 14.57 in
KMD Daalderop Art Deco Counterweight Desk Lamp with Bell Shade, 1935
By Daalderop KDM Royal Holland, Willem H. Gispen
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare desk or table lamp is called The Tumbler (De Tuimelaar) and was produced by KMD Daalderop in the Netherlands, circa 1935.
Metal
Counterweight Desk Lamp by Hadrill & Horstmann Attributed, 1930s
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Adjustable desk lamp by, most probably, manufacturer Hadrill & Horstmann Ltd., England.
Metal
Articulated Counterweight Desk Lamp by Edouard Wilfred Buquet, French 1928
Located in Hoboken, NJ
Aluminum and nickel articulated counterweight table or desk lamp, circular bakelite base, by Edouard Wilfred Buquet, French 1928. 20”h, 6”d base.
Aluminum, Bronze, Nickel
Arced Counterweight Brass Desk Lamp by Koch and Lowy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brass desk lamp, the half round shade attached to arc base by ball joint, the base endcaps in ebony. Height 15.5 in, depth 12 in, width of base support 7.5 in. By Koch & Lowy, Americ...
Brass
Lescaze Desk Lamp
By William Lescaze
Located in Hudson, NY
Counterweight Lescaze desk lamp in original condition.
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.
Designer Eva Menz wants the light to "evoke curiosity and a sense of wonder."
Working with resin, a tricky material, has created moments of failure — and enlightenment.
Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.
Across New York, there’s no shortage of statement lighting on view.
The 1920s design is a thrilling combination of saturated colors, ancient motifs and modern aesthetics.
Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.