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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

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

Kandem 756 Desk Lamp, circa 1930s
Kandem 756 Desk Lamp, circa 1930s

Kandem 756 Desk Lamp, circa 1930s

By Kandem

Located in Gloucester, GB

Kandem 756 desk lamp Circa 1930s. - Cast iron stepped base - Steel arm and shade - Original On/Off toggle switch on the shade - Produced by Korting and Mathiesen, Leipzig - De...

Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Modernist Machine Age Chrome Desk Lamp
Modernist Machine Age Chrome Desk Lamp

Modernist Machine Age Chrome Desk Lamp

Located in Devon, England

Original modernist chrome desk lamp of substantial quality, dating we think to mid-20th century, sourced in Spain.

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Desk Tablelamp Christian Dell for Kaiser
Desk Tablelamp Christian Dell for Kaiser

Desk Tablelamp Christian Dell for Kaiser

Located in Vosselaar, BE

A black enameled steel adjustable desk lamp. Design by Christian Dell for Idell Kaiser Germany, circa 1930s.

Category

Vintage 1930s German Table Lamps

Materials

Enamel

Barracuda Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi
Barracuda Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Barracuda Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

Barracuda 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

Lucite Cobra Desk Lamp, 1980's
Lucite Cobra Desk Lamp, 1980's

Lucite Cobra Desk Lamp, 1980's

Located in Lisboa, PT

It features a curved Lucite arm and black metal shade and base. Furthermore the desk lamp features a two step switch and shows a socket for halogen bulbs.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Desk Glass lamp by lumenform, 1970s
Desk Glass lamp by lumenform, 1970s

Desk Glass lamp by lumenform, 1970s

By Lumenform

Located in Brussels, BE

Minimalist XL glass desk lamp with a light source encircled by stainless steel, edited by Lumenform in the 1970s, represents a quintessential blend of modern design and functional e...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s Vintage Italian Brass Desk Lamp
1970s Vintage Italian Brass Desk Lamp

1970s Vintage Italian Brass Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

A very stylish vintage Italian desk lamp in brass with a dark metal shade. This was recently imported from Italy, it dates from around the 1970’s.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage mint green Aluminor gooseneck UFO desk lamp
Vintage mint green Aluminor gooseneck UFO desk lamp

Vintage mint green Aluminor gooseneck UFO desk lamp

By Aluminor

Located in Oostende, BE

Vintage mint green Aluminor gooseneck UFO desk lamp. Desk lamp that was made between 1950s and 1960s by French manufacturer Aluminor.

Category

Vintage 1960s European Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Art Deco Style Chrome and Leather Desk Lamp
Art Deco Style Chrome and Leather Desk Lamp

Art Deco Style Chrome and Leather Desk Lamp

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Stylish Art Deco style desk lamp Polished chrome finish with tan leather detailing Distinctive ribbed adjustable shade Leather wrapped upright and matching leather edged base Adjusta...

Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Leather

Rare 1930s Bauhaus Chrome Adjustable Desk Lamp, Czechoslovakia
Rare 1930s Bauhaus Chrome Adjustable Desk Lamp, Czechoslovakia

Rare 1930s Bauhaus Chrome Adjustable Desk Lamp, Czechoslovakia

Located in Praha, CZ

Rare 1930s Bauhaus Style Chrome Adjustable Desk Lamp – Czechoslovakian Machine Age Design An exceptional and rare adjustable desk lamp originating from 1930s Czechoslovakia, distingu...

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Antique Brass Goose Neck Desk Lamp
Antique Brass Goose Neck Desk Lamp

Antique Brass Goose Neck Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

A charming antique desk lamp in solid brass, this was made in England and dates from the 1900-1920 period.

Category

Vintage 1910s British Victorian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Hemera Desk Lamp by Ross Gardam
Hemera Desk Lamp by Ross Gardam

Hemera Desk Lamp by Ross Gardam

Located in Melbourne, Melbourne

Like the brutalist architecture of 60 years ago that it references, the Hemera Desk Lamp is powerful in its simplicity of form.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Table Lamps

Materials

Marble

1970s Vintage French Brass Desk Lamp
1970s Vintage French Brass Desk Lamp

1970s Vintage French Brass Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

A very stylish and well made 1970’s vintage French brass desk lamp. It has a fantastic design, the round lamp shade rests loosely in an adjustable basket that can be raised and lowe...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Fagerhults, Articulating Desk Lamp, Brass, Sweden, 1960s
Fagerhults, Articulating Desk Lamp, Brass, Sweden, 1960s

Fagerhults, Articulating Desk Lamp, Brass, Sweden, 1960s

Located in Stamford, CT

Fagerhults, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Articulating Desk Lamp, Brass, Sweden, 1960s A brass table lamp designed and produced by Fagerhults in Sweden circa 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

1980s Red & Black Metal Desk Lamp
1980s Red & Black Metal Desk Lamp

1980s Red & Black Metal Desk Lamp

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Perfectly straddling the line between mid-century modernism and postmodernism, this desk lamp has red enameled metal base and shade, black metal stem, and a black cord with on/off sw...

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass and Glass Desk Lamp
Vintage Brass and Glass Desk Lamp

Vintage Brass and Glass Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

A vintage 1960s Italian brass and glass desk lamp. Measurements: Height 16" Diameter 13".

Category

Vintage 1960s Table Lamps

Laurel Brass Twin-Light Desk Lamp
Laurel Brass Twin-Light Desk Lamp

Laurel Brass Twin-Light Desk Lamp

$1,800Sale Price|20% Off

Laurel Brass Twin-Light Desk Lamp

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in Chicago, IL

Laurel desk lamp with two pierced edge shades and goose neck stems for unlimited positioning of the lights.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

1960 Adjustable Desk Lamp by Arlus
1960 Adjustable Desk Lamp by Arlus

1960 Adjustable Desk Lamp by Arlus

By Arlus

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

1950 adjustable desk lamp by Arlus. Made of chrome and black lacquered metal.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Whimsical Tramp Art Desk or Table Lamp
Whimsical Tramp Art Desk or Table Lamp

Whimsical Tramp Art Desk or Table Lamp

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Whimsical Tramp Art desk or table lamp.

Category

20th Century American Rustic Table Lamps

Materials

Stone

1960s Red Enameled Hala Style Articulating Desk Lamp
1960s Red Enameled Hala Style Articulating Desk Lamp

1960s Red Enameled Hala Style Articulating Desk Lamp

By Hala Zeist

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Red enameled metal desk lamp produced in Eastern Europe during the 1960s to 1970s, working in the visual tradition of Hala Zeist lighting design.Hala Zeist, the Dutch lighting manufa...

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Koch & Lowy Chromed Articulating Desk Lamp
Koch & Lowy Chromed Articulating Desk Lamp

Koch & Lowy Chromed Articulating Desk Lamp

By Koch & Lowy

Located in North Miami, FL

This is a wonderful and original signed Koch & Lowy pivoting chromed desk lamp with tent shade diffuser. Single Edison socket.

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Unusual mid century adjustable industrial desk lamp
Unusual mid century adjustable industrial desk lamp

Unusual mid century adjustable industrial desk lamp

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Unusual mid century adjustable industrial desk lamp circa 1950. Fine quality German made desk lamp in the form of a film studio light.

Category

Mid-20th Century German Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp from USA
Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp from USA

Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp from USA

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An adjustable and articulated industrial desk lamp patinated in black with a stepped base, swivelling avocado shaped hood and exposed tension bars.

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Iron

O. C. White Industrial Desk Lamp
O. C. White Industrial Desk Lamp

O. C. White Industrial Desk Lamp

By O.C. White

Located in Buffalo, NY

O C White Industrial desk lamp with additional light fixture. Fully adjustable.

Category

Vintage 1920s American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Steel

Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi
Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi

Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi

Located in Milan, IT

A Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi Italy

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Metal

Vintage French Enamelled Tole and Brass Desk Lamp
Vintage French Enamelled Tole and Brass Desk Lamp

Vintage French Enamelled Tole and Brass Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

A wonderful vintage French enamelled tole and brass desk lamp. This was recently imported from France, it dates from around the 1950-60’s.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage industral metal desk lamp, France ca. 1920
Vintage industral metal desk lamp, France ca. 1920

Vintage industral metal desk lamp, France ca. 1920

Located in Meulebeke, BE

A characterful 1920s French industrial desk lamp in metal, embodying the utilitarian elegance of early 20th‑century workshop and office lighting.

Category

Vintage 1920s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Gilbert Rohde Style Midcentury Desk Lamp
Gilbert Rohde Style Midcentury Desk Lamp

Gilbert Rohde Style Midcentury Desk Lamp

Located in Highland, IN

This elegant little desk lamp has an early midcentury or streamline moderne aesthetic in the manner of Gilbert Rohde.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

German desk lamp after Cristian Del
German desk lamp after Cristian Del

German desk lamp after Cristian Del

By Christian Dell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

desk lamp , adjustable neck and the base of the lamp .

Category

Vintage 1930s German Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Large 'Praxi' Adjustable Desk Lamp for iGuzzini
Large 'Praxi' Adjustable Desk Lamp for iGuzzini

Large 'Praxi' Adjustable Desk Lamp for iGuzzini

By Bruno Gecchelin, iGuzzini

Located in Firenze, IT

Its bold color and sophisticated engineering make it an ideal desk lamp for a high-end creative workspace or a modernist library.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Brown Art Deco Goose Neck Table Desk light
Brown Art Deco Goose Neck Table Desk light

Brown Art Deco Goose Neck Table Desk light

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Brown Art Deco goose neck desk light. Brass flexible arm with metal shade. cast iron base. black cotton wire and plug.

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Iron

Cubic Desk Lamp by Studio Reggiani
Cubic Desk Lamp by Studio Reggiani

Cubic Desk Lamp by Studio Reggiani

By Reggiani

Located in London, GB

I am offering this fascinating little desk lamp. The reflector is adjustable to allow more or less light on your work.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

Vintage Hala Desk Lamp, 1930's
Vintage Hala Desk Lamp, 1930's

Vintage Hala Desk Lamp, 1930's

By Hala Zeist

Located in Lisboa, PT

This desk lamp was design and manufactured by Hala, in the Netherlands, during the 1930's.

Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Grand Desk Table Lamp in Nickel Finish
Grand Desk Table Lamp in Nickel Finish

Grand Desk Table Lamp in Nickel Finish

Located in Paris, FR

Desk lamp grand desk with structure in nickel finish.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Table Lamps

Materials

Nickel

French Black Enamel Brass Table Desk Lights
French Black Enamel Brass Table Desk Lights

French Black Enamel Brass Table Desk Lights

Located in Amsterdam, NL

French dark grey enamel and brass desk light. 2,5 meter black cotton flex, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Weight: 2.50 kg / 5.5 lb Priced per individual item.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Secant Desk Light by J. Hill's Standard
Secant Desk Light by J. Hill's Standard

Secant Desk Light by J. Hill's Standard

Located in Geneve, CH

Secant Desk Light by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: W 30 x H 30 cm.

Category

2010s Northern Irish Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

1950s Petite Wedge-Form Desk Lamp
1950s Petite Wedge-Form Desk Lamp

1950s Petite Wedge-Form Desk Lamp

By Jacques Biny

Located in Hanover, MA

Articulating petite desk lamp in form of a wedge shaped door stopper.

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Cedric Hartman Omaha Bronze Desk Lamp
Cedric Hartman Omaha Bronze Desk Lamp

Cedric Hartman Omaha Bronze Desk Lamp

By Cedric Hartman

Located in Atlanta, GA

Bronze Omaha Counter balance desk lamp by Cedric Hartman. Swivel base and shade.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco French Table - Desk lamp
Art Deco French Table - Desk lamp

Art Deco French Table - Desk lamp

$1,200Sale Price|20% Off

Art Deco French Table - Desk lamp

Located in Los Angeles, CA

French table lamp have adjustable height and lamp neck is adjustable .The shade is hand made glass and all is from the Art Deco period . USA continental standard parcel shipping wi...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage desk lamp by Egon Hillebrand, 1970s
Vintage desk lamp by Egon Hillebrand, 1970s

Vintage desk lamp by Egon Hillebrand, 1970s

By Egon Hillebrand

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Space age design table lamp designed by Egon Hillebrand consisting of a beautiful chromed base and abrown aluminum lamp shade. The lamp has three E27 light sockets. Good overall co...

Category

Vintage 1970s German Space Age Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Stylish Italian Cantilevered Arc Desk Lamp
Stylish Italian Cantilevered Arc Desk Lamp

Stylish Italian Cantilevered Arc Desk Lamp

Located in Hanover, MA

I am unaware of the designer or manufacturer of this stylish brass elongated arc desk lamp with a gunmetal finished base and a slim black spine but is handsome vintage design and in ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Table Lamps

Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France
Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France

Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France

By Georges Pelletier

Located in Brussels, BE

Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Antony Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille
Antony Desk Lamp by Serge Mouille

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, Aluminum One of a King.

Category

2010s French Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Rare Arne Jacobsen 'AJ' Desk Lamp, 1957
Rare Arne Jacobsen 'AJ' Desk Lamp, 1957

Rare Arne Jacobsen 'AJ' Desk Lamp, 1957

By Arne Jacobsen, Louis Poulsen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

wonderful grey desk lamp in steel with original lacquering designed by Arne Jacobsen, probably Axel Annell on license by Louis Poulsen, Denmark, angle of shade can be adjusted to opt...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Steel

Digit Lamp Desk by Studio Pin
Digit Lamp Desk by Studio Pin

Digit Lamp Desk by Studio Pin

Located in Geneve, CH

Digit lamp desk by Studio Pin Dimensions: D 85 x W 21 x H 76 cm Materials: Solid oak.

Category

2010s Dutch Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Oak

Lenox Porcelain Neoclassical Desk or Table Lamp
Lenox Porcelain Neoclassical Desk or Table Lamp

Lenox Porcelain Neoclassical Desk or Table Lamp

By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant Lenox porcelain Neoclassical desk or table Lamp. Custom parchment paper shade included.

Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

French 1910s Art Nouveau Brass Table Desk Lamp
French 1910s Art Nouveau Brass Table Desk Lamp

French 1910s Art Nouveau Brass Table Desk Lamp

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Art Nouveau Brass table desk lamp with brass shade and wooden base. ca. 1920 Natural aged with small cracks in edge shade 2,5 meter black cotton flex with plug and switch in bulb h...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Articulating Desk Lamp by O.C. White
Articulating Desk Lamp by O.C. White

Articulating Desk Lamp by O.C. White

Located in Sagaponack, NY

Articulating Desk Lamp

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Louis Kalff, For Philips, “romeo” Desk Lamp
Louis Kalff, For Philips, “romeo” Desk Lamp

Louis Kalff, For Philips, “romeo” Desk Lamp

By Louis Kalff

Located in Bilzen, BE

Louis Kalff, desk lamp, circa 1960, for Philips model Roméo In the rare beige color The electrical part is safe and works perfectly Height 42.5 cm, Diameter 28.5 cm, Base diameter 1...

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Desk Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
Desk Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce

Desk Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A desk lamp with magnetized occular light source

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage "Eye-Saver" Cobra Desk Lamp by Faries
Vintage "Eye-Saver" Cobra Desk Lamp by Faries

Vintage "Eye-Saver" Cobra Desk Lamp by Faries

By Faries Lamp Co.

Located in Dekalb, IL

. - Decatur, IL Streamlined "Eye-Saver" desk lamp by Faries, featuring a sweeping cobra-form arm and domed reflector shade executed in copper-plated steel.

Category

Vintage 1930s Table Lamps

Materials

Copper, Steel

Beautifully Patinated Desk Lamp by Erpe Belgium 1930s
Beautifully Patinated Desk Lamp by Erpe Belgium 1930s

Beautifully Patinated Desk Lamp by Erpe Belgium 1930s

Located in Meer, VAN

Beautifully Patinated Desk Lamp by Erpe Belgium 1930s A beautifully patinated desk lamp by Erpe.

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Cast Iron

1930's French Industrial Desk Lamp
1930's French Industrial Desk Lamp

1930's French Industrial Desk Lamp

Located in Paris, FR

A striking French 20-century vintage desk or table lamp composed of aluminum, steel and brass.

Category

20th Century French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Ron Rezek Zinc desk lamp - US, 1980s
Ron Rezek Zinc desk lamp - US, 1980s

Ron Rezek Zinc desk lamp - US, 1980s

By Ron Rezek

Located in London, GB

An exercise in balance, this patinated zinc desk lamp reflects Rezek’s pursuit of ‘pure geometry’.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Table Lamps

Materials

Zinc

Twin Cone Desk Lamp by Kurt Versen
Twin Cone Desk Lamp by Kurt Versen

Twin Cone Desk Lamp by Kurt Versen

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A steel desk lamp with two (2) articulating steel gooseneck arms in the original salmon color.

Category

20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.
A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.

A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.

Located in London, GB

A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Antique Metal Frosted Glass Desk Lamp
Antique Metal Frosted Glass Desk Lamp

Antique Metal Frosted Glass Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

An antique metal table lamp. France, c1930s. Naturally patinated metal, paired with an open frosted glass shade. Since re-wired and PAT tested. Internal ref: 27/12/23/014. Good ...

Category

Vintage 1930s French 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 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 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 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.