Gunnar Nylund Ceramics Lamp “Rubus” for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s-1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall table lamp designed by the Swedish ceramic designer, Gunnar Nyland for Rorstrand.
Stoneware
Pair of Swedish Rorstrand Ceramic Table Lamps by Gunnar Nyland.
Located in New York, NY
Each porcelain botle shaped ceramic body, incised with cross hatched decoration under a brown glaze.
Porcelain
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.
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