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Craftsman Desk Lamp

Vintage Fire Hose Nozzle Desk Lamp with Dalmatian Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage fire hose nozzle desk lamp with Dalmatian porcelain finial.
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Desk Lamp by Lukasz Friedrich
By Lukas Friedrich
Located in Geneve, CH
Desk lamp by Lukasz Friedrich Dimensions: 67 x H 34 cm Materials: Patinated brass All our
Category

2010s European Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Desk Lamp by Lukasz Friedrich
Desk Lamp by Lukasz Friedrich
H 13.39 in Dm 26.38 in
Antony Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
Located in Geneve, CH
Antony desk lamp by Serge Mouille Dimensions: D24.5 x W30 x H37 cm Materials: Brass, Steel
Category

2010s French Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Aluminum, Brass

Antony Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
Antony Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 9.65 in
Dazor UL-P 2324-26 Industrial Floating Desk Lamp. 1950s.
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a famous floating arm lamp by Dazor. Company was founded in 1938 and made itself the name
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Arts and Crafts Stained Glass Table or Desk Lamp w. Hand Painted Poppy Flowers
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare, large size, top quality made and great condition antique lamp. This work-of-art-table
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Desk lamp with photo holder in gilded bronze by C. V. Boeltz France circa 1980
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful lamp with photo holder in exploded bronze gilded in 24 K fine gold, supporting numerous
Category

Vintage 1980s French Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze

Desk lamp with photo holder in gilded bronze by C. V. Boeltz France circa 1980
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful lamp with photo holder in exploded bronze gilded in 24 K fine gold, supporting numerous
Category

Vintage 1980s French Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze

Art Deco Wood, Fur and Leather Desk Set, 5 Pieces by Dan Karner France
By Dan Karner 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
detail is for desk pad only. Note: Dan Karner, Aka Daniel Karner, was a French designer and craftsman
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desk Sets

Materials

Crystal

Flagg Side Table Bedside Table Storage by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
bedroom, it can hold books, reading glasses, a lamp or glass of water. A single drawer allows some items
Category

2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

Luc Lanel French Art Deco 1920 Ceramic Lamp
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A rare signed French Art Deco table/desk lamp hand crafted by French artist, Luc Lanel. Signed
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Paavo Tynell for Idman ‘5061’ Table Lamp in Brass
By Paavo Tynell, Idman Oy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paavo Tynell for Idman, table lamp, model ‘5061’, brass, perforated brass, Finland, circa 1950 A
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy '9225' Table Lamp in Brass and Leather
By Taito Oy, Paavo Tynell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
' desk lamp, designed by the master of lighting Paavo Tynell in the fifties, stands as a truly remarkable
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pierre Forssell Brass Lamp Stamped 1975 and 1978 Produced in Skultuna Sweden
By Pierre Forsell, Skultuna, Pierre Forssell
Located in Forest, BE
This table lamp was hand crafted in 1975 and 1978 at the Skultuna studio were Pierre Forssell was
Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp 6/10, Oak and Pear Wood, Handmade in France, OROS Edition
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
This table lamp celebrates the intrinsic qualities of wood veneer, in particular its finesse and
Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Pearwood, Oak

Marble Desk by Jonathan Hansen
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble desk by Jonathan Hansen 9 Editions + 1 AP Dimensions: 116.8 x 55.9 x 76.2 cm Materials
Category

2010s Italian Modern Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Marble Desk by Jonathan Hansen
Marble Desk by Jonathan Hansen
H 30.01 in W 45.99 in D 22.01 in
George Nakashima Woodworker Catalog with Price List
By George Nakashima Woodworkers
Located in New York, NY
wall cases; and Kornblut cases; Pedestal and Minguren desks,; and floor, desk, and table lamps
Category

1990s American American Craftsman Books

Materials

Paper

People Also Browsed

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

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

Custom Iron Tripod Tables with Bronze Edging by Dos Gallos
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom hand-forged iron tripod tables with bronze edging. Can be made in custom sizes, round or square. Sold separately. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio. CUSTOM PRICES ARE ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern End Tables

Materials

Iron

Pair French Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Stone Table Lamps, style Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and Rare Pair of French Midcentury Modern Craftsman stone lamps in the style of Andre Arbus. The lamps are for table or floor and are created in a modern neoclassical voluted...
Category

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

Materials

Cast Stone, Sandstone

Pair of Late Staffordshire Recumbent Figures of Dalmatians
By Staffordshire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of late Staffordshire Recumbent figures Dalmatians USA, 20th 1950s A good pair of a later Staffordshire hand painted and enameled porcelain figures of reclining Dalmatians....
Category

Mid-20th Century English High Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Japan Mid-Century Modern Stacking Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single bentwood stool by Isamu Kenmochi (1912-1971) for Akita Mokko. Original condition, minor scuffs. Label, circa 1950s Kenmochi was one of the most significant designers in mid...
Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Beech

Akari Light Sculpture 30A Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Venezia, VENETO
This iconical Isamu Noguchi Akari Lamp Sculpture 30A is a small pendant lamp executed in handmade washi paper, bamboo ribs and a structure in black lacquered metal. Akari light sc...
Category

2010s Japanese Post-Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Brass Table Lamp, Signed by Lukasz Friedrich
By Lukas Friedrich
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass table lamp - signed by Lukasz Friedrich. Dimensions: D 16 x W 45 x H 55 cm. Materials: Patinated brass. Lukasz Friedrich (born 1980), lives and works in Warsaw. He is a self-t...
Category

2010s European Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brass Table Lamp, Signed by Lukasz Friedrich
Brass Table Lamp, Signed by Lukasz Friedrich
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 6.3 in
Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern 70XL Pendant Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp, model 70XL, designed by Isamu Noguchi. Manufactured by Ozeki & Company Ltd. (Japan.) Bamboo ribbing structure covered by washi paper manufactured according to the trad...
Category

1990s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Copper Foil Table Lamps, Wharton Esherick
By Studio Furniture. Primitivist., Wharton Esherick
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Unique Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Table Lamps in the style of Wharton Esherick. These exquisite Studio Furniture pieces are in the form of an abstract Arabic numeral and ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Copper

Mid-Century Modern Live Edge Bench or Table
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern live edge bench or table. We think this may be made of black walnut. Very nice design and easy size to find a place for. Use as a bench, stool or table. It has a k...
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Spanish Gilt Iron Martini Table with Scrolled Tripod Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
This recently made drinks table, measuring 23 inches high and 11 ½" inches in diameter, is ideal for when you need an extra little table that can easily be moved around. Its perfect ...
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern End Tables

Materials

Iron

Serge Mouille Table or Desk Lamp Model Antony
By Serge Mouille
Located in London, GB
Designed for the student of University Antony in Paris.
Category

2010s French Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Hand-Forged Iron and Bronze Tripod Table by Dos Gallos Studio
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-forged iron tripod tray tables with bronze edging. Great, thin profile with patinated finish. These two are available off the floor but can also be made in custom sizes - lead t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial End Tables

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Kovacs, Mid-Century Modern, Large Wicker Table Lamps, United States, 1980s
By Kovacs
Located in Stamford, CT
Large Mid-Century Modern Wicker Urn Table, Desk Lamps by Kovacs, Compatible Pair Large scale boho chic wicker table lamps by Kovacs having their original paper shades. The wicker fo...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wicker

Fiori Lamps by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Sculpture lamps in brass. Hand cut by the artist from a sheet of brass. Created as in nature, nothing is taken out of the sheet or added to it. Unique pieces, signed Jacqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Metal Desk Lamp, circa 1930
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual metal desk lamp comprised of simulated bark twig, all in as found untouched age cracked
Category

Vintage 1930s American Craftsman Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Metal Desk Lamp, circa 1930
Metal Desk Lamp, circa 1930
H 14.25 in W 12.5 in D 11 in
Serge Mouille Brass and Black Aluminium Midcentury Desk Lamp Simple Agrafée
By Serge Mouille
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp Simple Agrafée designed by Serge Mouille in 1957. Measurements: 44 x H 70 cm 17.3 x
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille Brass and Black Aluminium Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp Antony
By Serge Mouille
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp Antony designed by Serge Mouille in 1955. Measurements: Height 37 cm (14.6 inches
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille Brass and Black Aluminium Midcentury Desk Lamp Agrafée 2 Rotulas
By Serge Mouille
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp Agrafée 2 rotulas designed by Serge Mouille in 1957. Measurements: 36 x H 68 cm 14.2
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille Brass and Black Aluminium Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp Cocotte
By Serge Mouille
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp Cocotte designed by Serge Mouille in 1957. Measurements: 24,5 x 30 x h34 cm 9,6 W x
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille Brass and Black Aluminium Mid-Century Modern Tripod Desk Lamp
By Serge Mouille
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp tripod designed by Serge Mouille in 1954. Measurements : 26 x 29,5 x h35 cm 10w x 12d x
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel, Aluminum

Art Nouveau circa 1930 Stiffel Brass Desk, Table Lamp With American Bald Eagles
By Stiffel
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
An unusual Art Nouveau circa 1930s Stiffel brass desk, table lamp with American bald eagles. An
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Midgard Industry Lamp by Curt Fischer
By Curt Fischer 1
Located in Cologne, DE
used in the Bauhaus Werkstätten. The Midgard lamp can be use as a desk lamp or wall lamp. Condition
Category

Vintage 1920s German Bauhaus Table Lamps

Midgard Industry Lamp by Curt Fischer
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
1960s Virginia Metalcrafters Brass Collie Letter Opener
Located in Richmond, VA
manufacturing of hand-cast, hand-finished gifts, garden accessories  lighting fixtures, lamps and fireplace
Category

20th Century American American Classical Letter Openers

Materials

Brass

Rare Hand-Carved and Hand-Adzed WPA Period Trastero from New Mexico
Located in San Francisco, CA
. Desks, dining tables, dressers, blanket boxes, storage chests, small boxes, lamps and picture frames
Category

Early 20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

Vintage Craftsman Style Polished Copper Fluorescent Desk Lamp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage craftsman style polished copper fluorescent desk lamp comes fixed to an oak base. Mid
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Copper

Vintage Fire Hose Nozzle Desk Lamp With Dalmatian Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage fire hose nozzle desk lamp with Dalmatian porcelain finial.
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Wood, Fur and Leather Desk Set, 5 Pieces by Dan Karner France
By Dan Karner 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
picks, desk accessories, and decorative lamps - all of which are limited editions. One morning in 1940
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desk Sets

Materials

Crystal

Solid Wood Bedside Table Box Joints Storage Dark Stain Evolve by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
bedroom, it can hold books, reading glasses, a lamp or glass of water. A single drawer allows some items
Category

2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

Pierre Forssell Brass Lamp Stamped 1979 Produced in Skultuna Sweden
By Pierre Forssell, Skultuna, Pierre Forsell
Located in Forest, BE
This table lamp was hand crafted in 1979 at the Skultuna studio were Pierre Forssell was working
Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Blue Pair of Blue Agate Bookends
By Graziela Dias
Located in Paris, FR
the artist. Developing tables, lamps, washers, bookcases, trays, paintings, among other things, with
Category

2010s Brazilian Other Paperweights

Materials

Agate, Brass

Blue Pair of Blue Agate Bookends
Blue Pair of Blue Agate Bookends
H 1.97 in W 9.26 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
By Graziela Dias
Located in Paris, FR
color, "says the artist. Creating tables, lamps, washers, bookcases, trays, paintings, among other
Category

2010s Brazilian Other Paperweights

Materials

Agate, Brass

Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
H 2.56 in W 7.17 in D 5.6 in
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
Located in Paris, FR
color, "says the artist. Creating tables, lamps, washers, bookcases, trays, paintings, among other
Category

2010s Brazilian Other Paperweights

Materials

Agate, Brass

Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
H 2.56 in W 7.17 in D 5.6 in
French Country Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charming French country oak table or desk with single drawer, turned tapered legs and scalloped
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown American Craftsman Night Stands

Materials

Oak

French Country Side Table
French Country Side Table
H 28 in W 38 in D 17.75 in
Brass Crown Vase by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, Sweden, 1950s
By Pierre Forssell, Skultuna
Located in Stockholm, SE
signature. Sweden. Great vase, desk accessorie or just a beautiful collectable item to stylish your home
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Brass Decanter by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, Sweden, 1950s
By Pierre Forssell, Skultuna
Located in Stockholm, SE
number 87 and Pierre Forsells signature. Sweden. Great decanter, desk accessorie or just a beautiful
Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bottles

Materials

Brass

Brass Decanter by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, Sweden, 1950s
Brass Decanter by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, Sweden, 1950s
Free Shipping
H 6.7 in W 4.73 in D 2.37 in
Antique Huge Canteen Silver Plated Cutlery Deakin & Sons
Located in London, GB
mark representing a 'desk bell' (often interpreted as a 'lamp'). Likewise, Dixon used a figural trade
Category

Vintage 1920s English Buffets

'Taliesin' Mahogany TV Dinner Table by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1955, Signed
By Heritage-Henredon, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
to design ‘infinite adaptability to American living’, for example desks could double as dressing
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Ornate Cut Glass Bankers Desk Lamp
Located in Peekskill, NY
This banker's desk lamp or piano lamp has an original floral design glass shade that is cut to
Category

Early 20th Century American Craftsman Table Lamps

Materials

Art Glass

Ornate Cut Glass Bankers Desk Lamp
Ornate Cut Glass Bankers Desk Lamp
H 15 in W 10.5 in D 9 in
Paavo Tynell for Idman ‘5061’ Table Lamp in Brass
By Idman, Paavo Tynell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
. Paavo Tynell, the master in the fields of lighting, created the '5061' table desk lamp around 1950. An
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

"Nude Male & Female Caryatid Candlesticks, " Unique Art Deco Bronzes by Sorensen
By Carl Sorensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
for Tiffany Studios, which created a wide array of bronze lamp bases, desk sets and other pieces
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Candlesticks

Materials

Bronze

Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
Located in Geneve, CH
other dimension Material / solid oak wood Finish / burned, waxed Variations / stool, bench, desk
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
H 17.72 in W 90.56 in D 11.82 in
Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
Located in Geneve, CH
, desk, dining table, coffee table "As an interdisciplinary designer and makers studio I create
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
Solid Oak Sculptural Bench by Lukas Cober
H 17.72 in W 43.31 in D 11.82 in
'Taliesin' Collection Mahogany Cabinet by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1955, Signed
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
to design ‘infinite adaptability to American living’, for example desks could double as dressing
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

'Tripod' Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
By Editions Serge Mouille
Located in Los Angeles, CA
place by way of a brass ball joint. This desk lamp is manufactured using craftsman’s techniques with the
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

'Tripod' Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
'Tripod' Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
H 13.77 in W 10.2 in D 11.6 in
Lampe Agrafée Deux Rotules Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
By Editions Serge Mouille
Located in Los Angeles, CA
with a white interior. This desk lamp is manufactured using craftsman’s techniques with the same
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Finely Tooled Adjustable Desk Lamp
Located in Portland, OR
A wonderful desk lamp with an adjustable neck. The lamp is made of brass and steel. It is in the
Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of French Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Table Lamps with Frosted Shades
Located in Uppingham, Rutland
Very unusual pair of extremely good quality French gilt bronze table lamps or perhaps desk lamps
Category

Early 20th Century French Rococo Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

A Biedermeier Period Writing Table From Germany C. 1830
Located in Houston, TX
craftsman because the warmth of the cherry was particularly desirable in a dim interior. Please remember at
Category

Antique 19th Century German Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

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Craftsman Desk Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the craftsman desk lamp you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each craftsman desk lamp for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and wood. Find 6 options for an antique or vintage craftsman desk lamp now, or shop our selection of 4 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect craftsman desk lamp — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. Each craftsman desk lamp bearing Art Deco, modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks is very popular. A well-made craftsman desk lamp has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Alabama Sawyer, Dan Karner and Idman are consistently popular.

How Much is a Craftsman Desk Lamp?

A craftsman desk lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,475, while the lowest priced sells for $875 and the highest can go for as much as $72,502.
Questions About Craftsman Desk Lamp
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    A good desk lamp is going to make a substantial difference in any home, office or studio. The ideal desk lamp should provide apt task lighting, be easy to use, and also be aesthetically pleasing. Find a wide range of unique and elegant desk lamps on 1stDibs today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024

    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.

  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
    The best desk lamp is a matter of preference — the right fixture can help you work more efficiently while also reducing eye strain. LED desk lamps in the 2700K to 4500K color temperature range often provide a warm and pleasing light under which to work. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and modern desk lamps from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    There are many types of best LED desk lamps for your home — it's really a matter of preference. On 1stDibs, there are modern, mid-century modern desk lamps and other lighting to choose from.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The desk lamps with the green shade are called banker’s lamps. Banker’s lamps are green because it is believed the color helps to encourage concentration and is mentally soothing. It is also said that green helps with eye strain. You can shop a selection of banker’s lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    British designer George Carwardine designed the Anglepoise desk lamp. Before creating the light fixture, he worked as an engineer designing automobile suspension systems. The first Anglepoise lamps debuted in 1931. You can find a variety of Anglepoise desk lamps on 1stDibs.