There is a range of library lamps for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
metal,
brass and
bronze, all library lamps available were constructed with great care. Library lamps have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Library lamps made by
Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with
Art Nouveau — are very popular at 1stDibs. Library lamps have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by
Chapman Manufacturing Company,
Jacques Biny and
Edward F. Caldwell & Co. are consistently popular.
Prices for library lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, library lamps begin at $250 and can go as high as $19,500, while the average can fetch as much as $1,650.
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.