Jo Hammerborg Senior

Johannes (Jo) Hammerborg was a passionate innovator and lighting designer credited with the success of the Danish lighting company Fog & Mørup. His sleek ceiling lights, floor lamps and table lamps are characterized by the simple lines and clean aesthetic of Scandinavian modern design.

Hammerborg was born in Randers, Denmark, in 1920. As a young man, he trained as a silversmith before attending the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. In 1949, Hammerborg began working as a silversmith at leading Danish silverware brand Georg Jensen. He worked at Georg Jensen until 1957, when he became the chief designer at Fog & Mørup.

Hammerborg brought both his modernist designs and his good business sense to Fog & Mørup. He helped the company create a strong brand and implemented a stringent manufacturing process to ensure high quality. During his time with Fog & Mørup, Hammerborg designed over 60 lighting fixtures and collaborated with other designers such as Torsten Thorup and Claus Bonderup, Erik Balslev, Sophus Frandsen and more. Vintage Hammerborg lighting is functional and accessible and was intended for easy coordination with modern interior decor.

Among Hammerborg's most famous works are his 1966 Trombone series. Trombone pendants, floor lamps and table lamps feature cylindrical shades in various metallic finishes and are fantastically versatile. The Milieu pendant from 1975 is another notable Hammerborg design. Its hemispherical shape gives the shade a light and airy quality, and Hammerborg's love of parachuting inspired its distinctive appearance.

Hammerborg left Fog & Mørup in 1980. The company subsequently underwent a series of mergers that eventually led to its closure. 

Hammerborg’s brilliant lighting creations remain in high demand today. The Hammerborg family has collaborated with Danish furniture brand Warm Nordic — which has reissued iconic mid-century works such as Hans Olsen’s inviting Fried Egg armchair — in order to relaunch the Trombone and Milieu series.

On 1stDibs, find an extensive collection of vintage Jo Hammerborg lighting.

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.