Alouette Desk Light by Atelier Areti
$1,431 / 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.
2010s German Post-Modern Table Lamps
Metal
$1,431 / 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
$2,805 / 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
$1,431 / 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
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...
Steel
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.
Chrome
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.
Enamel
$3,149 / item
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.
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
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.
Metal
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...
Stainless Steel
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.
Brass
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.
Metal, Aluminum
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...
Leather
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...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
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.
Brass
$5,780 / item
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.
Marble
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...
Brass
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.
Brass
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...
Metal
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".
$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.
Brass, Aluminum
$2,748 / item
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.
Steel, Chrome
Whimsical Tramp Art Desk or Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical Tramp Art desk or table lamp.
Stone
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...
Metal, Enamel
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.
Chrome
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.
Steel
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.
Brass, Iron
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.
Metal, Steel
Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi
Located in Milan, IT
A Pia Guidetti desk lamp for Lumi Italy
Steel, Metal
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.
Metal, Brass
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.
Metal
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.
Brass, Steel
$600Sale Price|20% Off
German desk lamp after Cristian Del
By Christian Dell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
desk lamp , adjustable neck and the base of the lamp .
Metal
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.
Metal
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.
Metal, Iron
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.
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
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.
Metal
Grand Desk Table Lamp in Nickel Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Desk lamp grand desk with structure in nickel finish.
Nickel
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.
Brass, Enamel
$1,889 / item
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.
Aluminum
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.
Brass
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.
Bronze
$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...
Brass
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...
Aluminum, Chrome
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 ...
Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Georges Pelletier, France
Ceramic
$2,553 / item
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.
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
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...
Metal, Steel
$1,614 / item
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.
Oak
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.
Bronze
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...
Brass
Articulating Desk Lamp by O.C. White
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Articulating Desk Lamp
Metal
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...
Metal
Desk Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A desk lamp with magnetized occular light source
Metal
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.
Copper, Steel
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.
Metal, Cast Iron
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.
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
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’.
Zinc
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.
Metal
A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.
Located in London, GB
A large French 1960’s desk lamp, by Jumo.
Metal
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 ...
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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