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.
Vintage 1980s American Minimalist Table Lamps
Metal
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.
Metal
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!
Metal
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.
Metal
$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...
Metal
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.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Distressed Brass Desk Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Distressed Brass Condition: Shows Distressed Patina
Brass
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...
Metal, Brass, Steel
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 ...
Chrome
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.
Metal
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...
Bronze, Cast Iron
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.
Brass, Iron
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...
Stone
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.
Metal
Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Teak Desk Lamp, 1960s. Danish modern table lamp with brass details.
Brass
Modernist metal Bauhaus desk lamp, 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
An absolute rare and unusual desk lamp with perforated shade, rivets in metal.
Metal
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.
Chrome
$2,470 / item
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.
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
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.
Brass
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.
Tin
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.
Metal
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”.
Metal, Bronze
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.
Brass
Fase Chrom Plated Desk Lamp
By Fase
Located in Vienna, AT
perfect condtition from the 1960s
Chrome, Steel
1950s Italian Polished Brass Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
1950s Italian polished brass desk lamp. Has a Directional shade. Industrial style lamp.
Brass
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.
Brass
$15,000 / item
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.
Brass
Nessen Brass and Chrome Desk Lamp
By Nessen Lighting
Located in Winnetka, IL
Nessen brass and chrome desk lamp.
Brass, Chrome
1980's Turquoise Tubular Desk Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
1980's metal tubular desk lamp possibly swedish in origin Fantastic turquoise colour.
Metal
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.
Metal
$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.
Chrome
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.
Metal, Aluminum
$3,200 / item
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.
Aluminum, Steel
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.
Metal
Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp / Casella
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Chicago, IL
Signed Cedric Hartman chrome desk lamp.
Chrome
$1,608 / item
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.
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
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.
Metal
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...
Silver Plate, Metal
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...
Brass
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.
Aluminum, Steel
$1,091 / item
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22.8 x H 39 cm.
Metal
$1,091 / item
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Octopus Desk Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 22.8 x H 39 cm.
Metal
$4,377 / item
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.
Brass
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.
Metal
$1,169 / set
Pair of 1970s Brass Desk Lamps
Located in GB
A pair of brass desk lamps with adjustable movement in the style of 1920's.
Brass
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...
Metal, Chrome
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...
Brass
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".
Metal
$1,401 / item
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.
Metal
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.
Tôle
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.
Brass
$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.
Chrome
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...
Brass, Nickel
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.
Chrome
Vintage Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp with Stone Base
Located in Miami, FL
This good quality vintage chrome desk lamp will enhance any desk.
Marble, Chrome
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.
Metal
$1,700 / item
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.
Metal, Brass
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.
Brass
$1,206 / item
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.
Metal, Brass
$2,814 / item
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.
Metal
$1,436 / item
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.
Metal
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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