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Minimalist Desk Lamp Robert Sonneman, '80s
Minimalist Desk Lamp Robert Sonneman, '80s

Minimalist Desk Lamp Robert Sonneman, '80s

By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman

Located in New York, NY

A designer black desk, task, or nightstand table lamp/light, Minimalist design period, 1988.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Minimalist Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Fase Desk Lamp, circa 1960
Fase Desk Lamp, circa 1960

Fase Desk Lamp, circa 1960

By Fase

Located in BARCELONA, ES

This superb Fase lamp from the 60s is in very good condition. Its curves are superb and its adjustable head. A very beautiful product that will not fail to illuminate your interior!

Category

Vintage 1960s Central American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Egon Hillebrand desk lamp, 1970’s
Egon Hillebrand desk lamp, 1970’s

Egon Hillebrand desk lamp, 1970’s

By Egon Hillebrand

Located in Delft, NL

Egon Hillebrand desk lamp, 1970’s Dimensions: 32cm Height, 33cm Depth, 16cm Deoth Material: Metal , Brass Condition: Good has some damages.

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Charlotte Perriand Jumo Desk Lamp
Charlotte Perriand Jumo Desk Lamp

Charlotte Perriand Jumo Desk Lamp

$2,036Sale Price|20% Off

Charlotte Perriand Jumo Desk Lamp

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in Sherborne, GB

Charlotte Perriand was a rare female voice among the avant-garde designers whose designs shaped modern living in the early 20th century. A pioneer of modernism in France, Charlotte P...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Original Black Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1930s
Original Black Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1930s

Original Black Bauhaus Desk Lamp, 1930s

Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH

The lamp is fully made out metal and has a black lacquer. The desk lamp requires a E27/26 bulb and currently has an EU-plug.

Category

20th Century Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Distressed Brass Desk Lamp
Mid-Century Modern Distressed Brass Desk Lamp

Mid-Century Modern Distressed Brass Desk Lamp

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Materials: Distressed Brass Condition: Shows Distressed Patina

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Eloctra Desk Lamp by Georges Halais
Eloctra Desk Lamp by Georges Halais

Eloctra Desk Lamp by Georges Halais

Located in BAUD, FR

Art Deco Ocean Liner Lamp "Eloctra" by Georges Halais Lacquered steel and chrome-plated brass. Good original condition. Minor signs of use. Diameter: 30 cm / Base: 17.3 cm Height: ap...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel

Postmodern Chrome & Glass Desk table Lamp
Postmodern Chrome & Glass Desk table Lamp

Postmodern Chrome & Glass Desk table Lamp

Located in San Diego, CA

Great post-modern design double ceramic socket on this fabulous desk lamp, Italy, circa 1980s excellent condition we polished the chrome the beveled thick glass is just a beautiful ...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Stilnovo Adjustable Desk Lamp in Black & Brass
Stilnovo Adjustable Desk Lamp in Black & Brass

Stilnovo Adjustable Desk Lamp in Black & Brass

By Stilnovo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant Italian mid-century modern adjustable desk lamp in the style of Stilnovo, featuring a sculptural dual-shade design with black lacquered metal and brass construction.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Early Cast Metal Desk Lamp by Linolite
Early Cast Metal Desk Lamp by Linolite

Early Cast Metal Desk Lamp by Linolite

Located in Dekalb, IL

c. 1900s-1910s; Linolite Company of New York - New York City, NY Rare early electric desk lamp incorporating Alfred W. Beuttell's patented Linolite lighting system, patented Septemb...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mission Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze, Cast Iron

Industrial Style Early 20th Century Faries Desk Lamp
Industrial Style Early 20th Century Faries Desk Lamp

Industrial Style Early 20th Century Faries Desk Lamp

By Faries Lamp Co.

Located in San Mateo, CA

Early 20th century Faries desk lamp with pivoting shade. The shade on this lamp carries a 1912 patent date.

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Iron

1970s Carved Granite Desk or Table Lamp
1970s Carved Granite Desk or Table Lamp

1970s Carved Granite Desk or Table Lamp

Located in CHAPONOST, FR

Vintage lamp featuring a granite base from the 1970s. We love the solid, heavy stone base, which features a small, graphic triskel carving in the center. Fitted with a modern lampsha...

Category

Vintage 1970s French French Provincial Table Lamps

Materials

Stone

Christian Dell Brown Desk Lamp
Christian Dell Brown Desk Lamp

Christian Dell Brown Desk Lamp

By Christian Dell

Located in NYC, NY

A fine and original Christian Dell light. Brown painted metal with adjustable arm and base.

Category

Vintage 1940s German Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s.
Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s.

Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s.

Located in Asaa, DK

Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s. Danish modern table lamp with brass details.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Modernist metal Bauhaus desk lamp, 1960s
Modernist metal Bauhaus desk lamp, 1960s

Modernist metal Bauhaus desk lamp, 1960s

Located in Zaandam, NL

An absolute rare and unusual desk lamp with perforated shade, rivets in metal.

Category

Vintage 1960s German Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Adjustable Chrome Bankers Desk Light with Inkwell or Pen Desk Tidy 1920
Art Deco Adjustable Chrome Bankers Desk Light with Inkwell or Pen Desk Tidy 1920

Art Deco Adjustable Chrome Bankers Desk Light with Inkwell or Pen Desk Tidy 1920

Located in London, GB

Discovered on our travels in Italy and still yet to be seen again, this sleek 1920’s Art Deco chrome Bankers desk light with ink well or pen holder is a fine example of the period.

Category

Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi
BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi Dimensions: D 20 x W 65 x H 45 cm Material: Aluminum, Stainless steel.

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

Swedish Modern Desk Lamp by ASEA
Swedish Modern Desk Lamp by ASEA

Swedish Modern Desk Lamp by ASEA

By ASEA

Located in Karlstad, SE

Rare desk lamp by ASEA, Sweden, model E-1267. The base and shade have a beautiful original cream-white color, while the stem is made of polished brass.

Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

French Scarlet Painted Tole Desk Lamp
French Scarlet Painted Tole Desk Lamp

French Scarlet Painted Tole Desk Lamp

Located in Kent, Dover

A French scarlet and gilt decorated tole desk lamp, with two arms and adjustable shades. For candles.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Table Lamps

Materials

Tin

Antique Bronze Finish Desk Lamp c.1940
Antique Bronze Finish Desk Lamp c.1940

Antique Bronze Finish Desk Lamp c.1940

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An antique desk lamp featuring a bronze finish, a tilting adjustable rectangular hood shade, and a heavy base.

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

French Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
French Desk Lamp with Tole Shade

French Desk Lamp with Tole Shade

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1950's French desk lamp with painted tole shade. Measurements: Height: 23.5" Diameter: 15”.

Category

Vintage 1950s Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Brass Desk Lamp for Chase USA
Brass Desk Lamp for Chase USA

Brass Desk Lamp for Chase USA

By Chase Brass and Copper Company

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Brass desk lamp for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The Art Deco lamp features a curved stem and cone shade.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Fase Chrom Plated Desk Lamp

Fase Chrom Plated Desk Lamp

By Fase

Located in Vienna, AT

perfect condtition from the 1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome, Steel

1950s Italian Polished Brass Desk Lamp
1950s Italian Polished Brass Desk Lamp

1950s Italian Polished Brass Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

1950s Italian polished brass desk lamp. Has a Directional shade. Industrial style lamp.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tommaso Barbi Brass Leaf Desk Lamp
Tommaso Barbi Brass Leaf Desk Lamp

Tommaso Barbi Brass Leaf Desk Lamp

By Tommaso Barbi

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Rare 2 shade version desk lamp by Tommaso Barbi. Circa 1970's. Dimmable with rotating shades for setting just the right light affect.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Architectural Brass Desk Lamp, Limited Edition
Architectural Brass Desk Lamp, Limited Edition

Architectural Brass Desk Lamp, Limited Edition

By Gerald Abramovitz, Best & Lloyd

Located in Tarrytown, NY

Solid brass machine made desk lamp with soft LED light. Two internal swivel mechanisms making possible for light to move up/down and sideways.

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Nessen Brass and Chrome Desk Lamp
Nessen Brass and Chrome Desk Lamp

Nessen Brass and Chrome Desk Lamp

By Nessen Lighting

Located in Winnetka, IL

Nessen brass and chrome desk lamp.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Chrome

1980's Turquoise Tubular Desk Lamp
1980's Turquoise Tubular Desk Lamp

1980's Turquoise Tubular Desk Lamp

Located in Hastings, GB

1980's metal tubular desk lamp possibly swedish in origin Fantastic turquoise colour.

Category

Vintage 1980s Swedish Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Brass Desk Lamp, 1970s
Mid Century Brass Desk Lamp, 1970s

Mid Century Brass Desk Lamp, 1970s

Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH

Mid century nicely shaped desk lamp in brass colour. The lamp has a thick lacquer and has a black colour underneath the shade.

Category

20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp
Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp

Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp

$950Sale Price|50% Off

Cobra Art Deco Desk Lamp

By Faries

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Streamline art deco cobra lamp by Faries. In original condition with brass lampshade and polished nickel base.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Raak Serpente D-2130 space age desk lamp
Raak Serpente D-2130 space age desk lamp

Raak Serpente D-2130 space age desk lamp

By RAAK, Giotto Stoppino

Located in ECHT, NL

Space age Dutch desk or table lamp by Raak, model D2130 or Serpente, made in the 1970s.

Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Space Age Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Serge Mouille - Black Antony Desk Lamp
Serge Mouille - Black Antony Desk Lamp

Serge Mouille - Black Antony Desk Lamp

By Serge Mouille

Located in Stratford, CT

Unique for the Antony Desk lamp, Serge Mouille designed a sloping arm with an angled top attaching to the shade.

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Riverdale, NY

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp from the 1950s in an Industrial green grey enameled sheet metal.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp / Casella
Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp / Casella

Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp / Casella

By Cedric Hartman

Located in Chicago, IL

Signed Cedric Hartman chrome desk lamp.

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Counterbalance Brass Desk Lamp, Midcentury style
Counterbalance Brass Desk Lamp, Midcentury style

Counterbalance Brass Desk Lamp, Midcentury style

By Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence

This exquisite desk lamp with a solid brass counterbalance is designed to enhance your workspace without taking up room on your desk.

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Brass

Adjustable desk lamp, modern, minimalist, France, 1960s
Adjustable desk lamp, modern, minimalist, France, 1960s

Adjustable desk lamp, modern, minimalist, France, 1960s

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

A sculptural French desk lamp, characterized by its elegant articulated arm and restrained industrial silhouette.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

A Pair of Silver-Plated Banker's Desk Lamps
A Pair of Silver-Plated Banker's Desk Lamps

A Pair of Silver-Plated Banker's Desk Lamps

Located in London, GB

A refined pair of silver-plated banker’s desk lamps. Exceptionally heavy and substantial in quality, these lamps have a reassuring solidity and beautifully balanced presence, reflect...

Category

Late 20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Silver Plate, Metal

Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Desk Lamp
Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Desk Lamp

Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Desk Lamp

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Dimensions: H 38.7” Large Italian Hollywood Regency brass and fabric floor lamp with burlwood base. The lamp has two fabric lampshades in form of water lily. Please see our other l...

Category

Early 20th Century Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Viktor Frauenknecht Swisslamos Haloprofil Table/ Desk Lamp
Viktor Frauenknecht Swisslamos Haloprofil Table/ Desk Lamp

Viktor Frauenknecht Swisslamos Haloprofil Table/ Desk Lamp

By Swiss Lamps International

Located in Highland, IN

This table/ desk lamp's striking design is matched by its remarkable build quality.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22.8 x H 39 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22.8 x H 39 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Linetype Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Linetype Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Linetype Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Linetype Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 15 x W 48 x H 48 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Grey industrial metal desk lamp Italy, 1960s
Grey industrial metal desk lamp Italy, 1960s

Grey industrial metal desk lamp Italy, 1960s

Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI

Mid-century industrial metal desk lamp made in Italy in the 1960s. Italian industrial production.

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of 1970s Brass Desk Lamps
Pair of 1970s Brass Desk Lamps

Pair of 1970s Brass Desk Lamps

Located in GB

A pair of brass desk lamps with adjustable movement in the style of 1920's.

Category

20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brown Industrial Office Desk Lamp, 1970s
Brown Industrial Office Desk Lamp, 1970s

Brown Industrial Office Desk Lamp, 1970s

By Elektrosvit

Located in Kojetice, CZ

Vintage brown office table lamp made in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s. It features a brown metal shade,an iron clamp base with and a chrome plated arm..The original socket...

Category

Vintage 1970s Czech Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Early 20thC Brass Swan Neck Desk Lamp
Early 20thC Brass Swan Neck Desk Lamp

Early 20thC Brass Swan Neck Desk Lamp

Located in Altrincham, GB

Early 20thC Brass Swan Neck Desk Lamp with Original Green Glass Shade - 12"w x 5.5" diam at base x 20"h - all lights and lamps have been rewired with authentic corded flex, fitted wi...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage O.C. White Desk Lamp
Vintage O.C. White Desk Lamp

Vintage O.C. White Desk Lamp

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage O.C. White desk lamp Shade diameter: 6 1/2" Base diameter: 8" Height adjusts from 12" to 19 1/2".

Category

20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Silver Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Silver Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Silver Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Silver Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.5 x H 51.2 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Napoleonic Revival Orange Tole Desk Lamp
Napoleonic Revival Orange Tole Desk Lamp

Napoleonic Revival Orange Tole Desk Lamp

Located in Kent, Dover

A French Napoleon III hand painted tole desk lamp in orange and gold leaf, with adjustable brass shades.

Category

Antique 1860s French Table Lamps

Materials

Tôle

Florian Schulz Solid Brass Desk Lamp, Germany, 1970s
Florian Schulz Solid Brass Desk Lamp, Germany, 1970s

Florian Schulz Solid Brass Desk Lamp, Germany, 1970s

Located in Lille, BE

The surface has developed a warm patina over time. Suitable for a desk, console or bedside table. A distinctive example of German lighting design from the 1970s.

Category

Vintage 1970s German Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Desk Lamp by Martinelli Luce
Italian Desk Lamp by Martinelli Luce

Italian Desk Lamp by Martinelli Luce

$1,440Sale Price|40% Off

Italian Desk Lamp by Martinelli Luce

By Elio Martinelli

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elio Martinelli rear desk table lamp in opal white plexiglass. Desk lamp is adjustable up-down and left-right.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Italian Desk Lamp, 1950s, Patinated Nickel
Italian Desk Lamp, 1950s, Patinated Nickel

Italian Desk Lamp, 1950s, Patinated Nickel

By O-Luce, Stilnovo

Located in Vienna, AT

Rare Italian desk or table lamp from the 1950s. Dark patinated nickeled brass hardware with a tiered shade shade design which completely hides the light source for a soft ambient lig...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Nickel

MId-century Banker's Desk Lamp c.1950
MId-century Banker's Desk Lamp c.1950

MId-century Banker's Desk Lamp c.1950

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT A mid-century industrial banker's desk lamp featuring a textured brown metal finish, a tilting rectangular hood shade, and a heavy base connected by twin posts.

Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp with Stone Base
Vintage Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp with Stone Base

Vintage Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp with Stone Base

Located in Miami, FL

This good quality vintage chrome desk lamp will enhance any desk.

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Chrome

1960s Industrial American Metal Desk Lamp by Dazor
1960s Industrial American Metal Desk Lamp by Dazor

1960s Industrial American Metal Desk Lamp by Dazor

By Dazor

Located in Aci Castello, IT

A brown painted metal industrial desk lamp designed and manufactured in United States in the Sixties by Dazor ( mod. 1000 ), it's in very good conditions considering use and age.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Column Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Column Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Column Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Column Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 43 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Double Gooseneck Brass Desk Lamp, c.1950
Double Gooseneck Brass Desk Lamp, c.1950

Double Gooseneck Brass Desk Lamp, c.1950

Located in Savannah, GA

Compact twin-light desk lamp with patinated brass base and two independently adjustable gooseneck arms terminating in flared metal shades, circa 1950.

Category

Vintage 1950s Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Twin Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Twin Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Twin Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Twin Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 60.5 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22 x W 22 x H 45 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti

Located in Geneve, CH

Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22 x W 22 x H 45 cm.

Category

2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

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Desk Lamps For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of desk lamps for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique desk lamps was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and chrome. We have 4057 antique and vintage desk lamps in-stock, while there are 180 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of desk lamps available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Desk lamps bearing Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Christian Dell, Lightolier and Stilnovo each produced beautiful desk lamps that are worth considering.

How Much are Desk Lamps?

Prices for desk lamps start at $1 and top out at $65,000 with the average selling for $1,217.

Finding the Right Table Lamps for You

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.

Questions About Desk Lamps

  • 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 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 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 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
    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.
  • 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 ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
    Table lamps are typically used for ambient or bedside light with a shade that diffuses light broadly, while desk lamps are more directional and task-focused.