$1,250
H 36.5 in W 10.75 in D 10 in
1970s Mid-Century Modern Z Lucite and Chrome Floor Lamp Plissé Shade
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning bent 1-inch-thick Lucite floor lamp in Z Shape with Chrome Hardware and a Beige Color
Chrome
$2,712
H 15.16 in Dm 13.19 in
Elegant Mid-Century "Decora" or Z Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips 1950s
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern "Decora" or Z table lamp. Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass
$2,710
H 15.95 in Dm 13 in
Elegant Mid-Century "Decora" or Z Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips 1950s
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern "Decora" or Z table lamp. Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Brass, Aluminum
$900
H 14.88 in W 6.88 in D 12 in
Zig Zag Table Desk Lamp by Shui L. D. Chan Mid Century Modern Z Lite Rubic Cube
Located in Wayne, NJ
A beautiful Halogen Mid-Century Modern 1980's Zig Zag Table Lamp . Great as a Table or Desk lamp
Metal
Decora Z Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, Belgium, 1950s
By Louis Kalff
Located in Bristol, GB
Iconic Decora Z Lamp designed by Louis Kalff for Philips in the mid 1950s. Black original paint
Metal
Fabulous Restored Pair of Brass "Z" Lamps, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
, harps and finials shown in the photos. A Killer pair of brass "Z" form lamps, circa 1970. Aged to
Brass
Decora (Z) Desk Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips from 1956'
By Louis Kalff
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Decora (Z) Desk Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips from 1956' Mid-century - designed by Louis
Metal, Brass
Louis Kalff Table Lamp Modell Z for Philips, circa 1950
By Louis Kalff
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Kalff table lamp modell Z for Philips, circa 1950.
Metal, Chrome
$2,698 / item
H 14.97 in W 13 in D 13 in
Vintage Dutch "Decora" or Z-Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1956
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
The Decora Desk lamp was designed by Louis Kalff in 1956. Th elamp is also known as the Z-lamp
Brass
$4,397
H 15.75 in W 13 in D 13 in
Louis Kalff Very Early or Prototype Decora or Z Table Lamp The Netherlands 1950s
By Louis Christiaan Kalff, Philips
Located in Meer, VAN
rare early or prototype Z table lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, The Netherlands. An iconic mid century
Metal, Brass
$11,900 / set
H 32.5 in Dm 17 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassic Iron "Z" Table Lamps in Style of Jacques Quinet
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of French Midcentury style table lamps in the form of the letter Z. These refined
Wrought Iron
$1,439 / item
H 16.93 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Design Italian ''Z'' Shaped Desk Lamp Attributed to Stilnovo 1950 Table
By Stilnovo
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
1 of 2 gorgeous Italian vintage design desk / table lamp attributed to Stilnovo. Minimalist design
Metal, Brass
$15,990 / set
H 32.5 in Dm 17 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Iron 'Z' Table Lamps, Style of Jacques Quinet
By Jacques Quinet
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Iconic Pair of French midcentury Style Table Lamps in the form of the letter Z
Wrought Iron
Brass Z Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful Z design. Strong lines of solid brass make this a great addition to all decors. New
Brass
Pair of Large Lucite "Z" Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Great pair of Mid Century Modern Lucite "Z" lamps. Super sized for a dramatic punch! (sold without
Lucite
Louis Kalff Table Lamp Modell Z for Philips, 1950
By Philips
Located in Basel, CH
Louis Kalff table lamp model “Z” manufactured by Philips in the Netherlands in the late 1950s. Dark
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 59 in W 22 in D 13 in
Classic Mid Century Modern Parchment shades floor lamp. "Z' Lamp by Majestic
By Majestic Lamp Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid Century Modern ,Satellite Parchment shades floor lamp. "Z' Lamp by Majestic Lamp
Brass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Louis Kalff, Z-Shaped Table Lamp Model Diplomat, Philips, Mid-Century Modern
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Stockholm, SE
Z-Shaped Mid-Century Modern table lamp, model Diplomat, designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass
Brass Z Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful Z design. Strong lines of solid brass make this a great addition to all decors. New
Brass
mid-century Table Lamp "Z-Lamp" by Louis Christian Kalff for Philips, 1950s
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Table Lamp z-lamp from Philips - 1950s The special lamp is a real design classic from the 50s/60s
Metal
Sold
H 16.54 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century "Decora" Z Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips 1950s
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Diest, BE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern "Decora" or Z table lamp. Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 16.93 in Dm 14.97 in
Louis Kalff for Philips Attr. Z-Shaped Table Lamp, Mid-Century, Netherlands
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Mid-century Z-shaped table or desk lamp attributed to Louis Christiaan Kalff for Philips. Also
Enamel, Metal
Mid-Century Brass Z Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips Netherlands
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Vienna, AT
One of the most Iconic Dutch mid-century desk or table lamps designed by architect Louis Kalff for
Brass, Metal
Louis Kalff for Philips Attr. Z-Shaped Table Lamp Mid-Century Netherlands
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Z-shaped table lamp attributed to Louis Christiaan Kalff for Philips. Enameled metal lamp shade
Enamel
"Z" Desk Table Lamp
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage table or desk lamp with "Z" shape body and adjustable aluminum
Iron, Aluminum
Louis Kalff "Z" Table Lamp
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Glendale, CA
Architectural iconic table lamp executed in black metal and brass by Louis Christiaan Kalff for
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 17.13 in Dm 13 in
Elegant Mid-Century Z Table Lamp or Desk Light by Louis Kalff for Philips 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Z table lamp or desk light. Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass
Desk Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, Z-Lamp
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
" but also called z-lamp. The lamp is still in good condition!
Brass, Iron
Stylish Pair of Vintage Brass "Z" Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Dramatic pair of vintage brass " Z " lamps, circa 1970's. Stunning brass and nickel finials act
Brass
Louis Christiaan Kalff Z Lamp Philips 1955
By Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice table lamp by Philips and designed by Louis Christiaan Kalff, brass in very good and
Brass, Metal
Louis Kalff Z Lamp Philips Belgium, 1955
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice iconic table/desk lamp designed by Louis Christiaan Kalff and manufactured by Philips
Aluminum, Brass
Vintgage Louis Kalff Z Model Table Lamp, 1950s
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Black Z model table lamp design by Louis Kalff for Philips. This model is one of Louis Kalff's
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
Louis Kalff for Philips Z-Shaped Brass Desk Lamp
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Z-shaped brass desk lamp by Louis Christiaan Kalff. This lamp is finished in a beautiful dark
Brass, Metal
Restored Pair of Stylish Vintage Brass Z-Form Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stylish pair of vintage brass Z-form lamps, circa 1970. Beautifully crafted pieces. Fabulous
Brass
'Decora' Z - lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1956
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
The “Decora” desk lamp, designed by Louis Kalff for Philips, is a true testament to the mid-century
Metal, Brass
Brass "Z-Table Lamp" by Louis Kalff for Philips
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Vienna, AT
One of the most beautiful tablelamps
Brass, Metal
Z Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips in the Fifties
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Iconic Z lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips in the middle of the fifties. Very sculptural lamp
Metal, Brass
Vintage Louis Kalff Diplomat or Z Model Table Lamp, 1950s
By Louis Kalff
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare brown version of the Z model or 'diplomat' table lamp designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
Vintage Louis Kalff Diplomat or Z Model Table Lamp, 1950s
By Louis Kalff
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Z model or 'diplomat' table lamp designed by Louis Kalff for Philips. This model is one of Louis
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
Z-Shaped Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1950s
By Louis Kalff
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Z-shaped table lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1950s. This stunning design is the first edition
Brass, Metal
Louis Kalff for Philips Z Decora Desk Lamp Black Metal Brass, 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful desk lamp, model Z or Decora, was designed by Louis Kalff in the 1950s and edited by
Brass
Sold
H 15.75 in Dm 13.78 in L 15.75 in
Louis Kalff for Philips Z Decora Desk Lamp Black Metal Brass, 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful desk lamp, model Z or Decora, was designed by Louis Kalff in the 1950s and edited by
Brass
Sold
H 17.33 in W 13 in D 13 in
Diplomat Z-Shaped Table Lamp By Louis Kalff For Philips, Netherlands 1963
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Hellouw, NL
to which this table lamp certainly belongs. Z-shaped actually does not honor the design of this
Aluminum
Vintage Louis Kalff Diplomat or Z Model Table Lamps Set of 2, 1950s
By Louis Kalff
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Z model or 'diplomat' table lamps designed by Louis Kalff for Philips. This model is one of
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
Vintage louis kalff diplomat or z model table lamps set of 2, 1950s
By Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Z model or 'diplomat' table lamps designed by Louis Kalff for Philips. This model is one of Louis
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
Sold
H 16.54 in Dm 13.39 in L 16.54 in
Black Lacquer and Brass Dutch 1950s Z-Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Vienna, AT
One of the most Iconic Dutch midcentury desk or table lamps designed by architect Louis Kalff for
Brass, Metal
Majestic Z Atomic Table Lamp, circa 1950
By Majestic Lamp Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
A striking 1950s Z Lamp produced by the Majestic Lamp Company. Very good overall condition. Lamp
Brass
Sold
H 15.75 in Dm 13.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Decora Model Z Desk Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1956
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern Decora Model Z desk lamp. design by Louis Kalff for Philips. Striking
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 13 in
Elegant Mid-Century "Decora" or Z Table Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips 1950s
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern "Decora" or Z table lamp. Designed by Louis Kalff for Philips
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 17.3 in Dm 12.8 in
Mid-Century Modern Z Shape Table or Desk Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, 1953
By Louis Christiaan Kalff, Phillips Holland
Located in Lisse, NL
1stdibs). In other words, this very stylish and sleek mid-century design will look great if you know where
Metal, Brass
Louis Kalff Z Lamp in Patinated Brass
By Louis Kalff
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautifully patinated iconic Z lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips. This model is officially called the
Aluminum, Brass
Louis Kalff for Philips 'Z' Table Lamp
By Philips, Louis Kalff
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Louis Kalff for Philips, 'Z' table lamp, metal, brass, the Netherlands, 1950s Louis Kalff placed
Metal, Brass
Lampe Z
By Louis Kalff
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Lampe Z designed by Louis Kalff.
Metal
Z-Lamp "Decora" by Louis Kalff for Philips
By Louis Christiaan Kalff, Philips
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Iconic philips desk lamp named "Decora" also called "Z-lamp". Designed in the 1950's by Louis
Brass, Iron
1950s Louis Kalff 'Z' Table Lamp, Holland
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Iconic Dutch desk/table lamp by designer and architect Louis Kalff for the Philips Company
Aluminum, Brass
Louis Christiaan Kallf, "Z" Table Lamp, Netherlands 1955
By Philips, Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Catonvielle, FR
"Z" desk lamp in gilded brass and black lacquered metal by Louis Christiaan Kaalf for Philips
Metal, Brass, Iron
Philips Table Lamp Model Z by Louis Kalff, 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This classic model Z table lamp was designed by Louis Christiaan Kalff and manufactured by Philips
Metal
Philips Table Lamp Model Z by Louis Kalff, 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This classic model Z table lamp was designed by Louis Christiaan Kalff and manufactured by Philips
Metal
Decora Z Lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips, Netherlands 1950s
Located in Bristol, GB
Decora Z Lamp designed by Louis Kalff for Philips in the mid 1950s. Black original paint finish
Metal
Louis Kalff "Z" Table or Desk Lamp for Phillips Lighting
By Louis Kalff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Z-shaped desk or table lamp designed by Louis Kalff for Philips Lighting of the Netherlands. Makers
Metal, Brass
Bob Kinzie “Z-Series” Ceramic Table Lamp for Affiliated Craftsmen
By Bob Kinzie, Affiliated Craftsmen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
“Z-Series” ceramic table lamp designed by Bob Kinzie for Affiliated Craftsmen in the United States
Brass
Louis Kalff for Philips Brass Z-Shaped Table Lamp, Netherlands, 1950
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Beautiful early edition z-shaped lamp. The lamp shade has the same iconic design as the building
Brass, Metal
Pair of Z-Shaped Desk Lamps by Louis Kalff for Philips
By Louis Kalff
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Z-shaped desk lamps by Louis Kalff for Philips. Brass frames with black enameled shades
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 16.93 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Design Italian ''Z'' Shaped Desk Lamp Attributed to Stilnovo 1950 Table
By Stilnovo
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
design with the well known mid-century ''Z''design shape. Made out of brass & black metal. you can
Metal, Brass
Old Yellow Brass Table Lamp, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Lampa stolowa z lat 50. Wymiary: wys. 56 cm / szer. 23 cm / gl. 24 cm.
Brass
Pair of Lucite "Z" Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Lucite "Z" lamps in nice as found vintage condition. There are minor scuffs and scrapes to
Lucite
Louis Kalff "Z" Lamp for Philips
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Fitzroy, Victoria
Fully restored "Z" lamp by Louis Kalff for Philips. Angular brass stem and newly sprayed black
Brass
Louis Kalff "Z" Desk Lamp, 1955
By Phillips, Louis Kalff
Located in Paris, France
This table lamp designed by Louis Kalff in the 1950s and manufactured by Phillips is an iconic
Metal, Brass
Z model desk lamp by Louis Kalff, 1950s
By Louis Christiaan Kalff
Located in Sint Joris Weert, BE
Z model table lamp by Louis Christiaan Kalff for Philips. The Z model lamp is one of his most
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Desk Table Lamp Louis Kalff Philips Z-Shaped
By Louis Kalff, Philips
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare Z-shaped desk lamp designed by former head-designer at Philips Netherlands Louis Kalff in 1955
Copper, Metal
$674Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Oak
Shearling 'Strapontin' Stool by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shearling 'Strapontin' stool by Design Frères. Chic and understated.
Iron
Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Brass
$3,800 / item
H 15 in Dm 19.63 in
VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
By Josef Hoffmann, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Volare draws inspiration from a collection of ornate pendants discovered by founders Kelly and Josh during a family trip to Washington, D.C. Featuring a substantial 20" pressed-glass...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$7,107 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Structure: Made from Poplar Burl veneer with solid oak edging, the Park Nightstand is finished with matching veneer on both the exterior and interior. The inside includes an adjustab...
Wood, Poplar, Burl
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Iron
LUdown Cylinder Flush Mount
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The LUdown cylinder flush mount fixture by Lumfardo Luminaires is part of our contemporary collection. Available In patinated unlacquerd brass or aged silver and steel with (1) E26 m...
Steel, Brass, Gold, Silver
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...
Linen
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$2,145 / set
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Oak
$6,389 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
Basurto 01 Contemporary Wooden and Fabric Stool
By Colección Estudio, Difane
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A tribute to the architectural style that characterized Mexico City during the mid-20th century. Inspired by its lines, symmetry, volumes and shapes, each piece is a miniature abstra...
Hardwood
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Well-crafted antique and vintage table lamps do more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior.
Proper table lamps have long been used for lighting our most intimate spaces. Perfect for lighting your nightstand or reading nook, table lamps play an integral role in styling an inviting room. In the years before electricity, lamps used oil. Today, a rewired 19th-century vintage lamp can still provide a touch of elegance for a study.
After industrial milestones such as mass production took hold in the Victorian era, various design movements sought to bring craftsmanship and innovation back to this indispensable household item. Lighting designers affiliated with Art Deco, which originated in the glamorous roaring ’20s, sought to celebrate modern life by fusing modern metals with dark woods and dazzling colors in the fixtures of the era. The geometric shapes and gilded details of vintage Art Deco table lamps provide an air of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style.
After launching in 1934, Anglepoise lamps soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted the fixture as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.” The popular task light owed to a collaboration between a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine and a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons.
Some mid-century modern table lamps, particularly those created by the likes of Joe Colombo and the legendary lighting artisans at Fontana Arte, bear all the provocative hallmarks associated with Space Age design. Sculptural and versatile, the Louis Poulsen table lamps of that period were revolutionary for their time and still seem innovative today.
If you are looking for something more contemporary, industrial table lamps are demonstrative of a newly chic style that isn’t afraid to pay homage to the past. They look particularly at home in any rustic loft space amid exposed brick and steel beams.
Before you buy a desk lamp or table lamp for your living room, consider your lighting needs. The Snoopy lamp, designed in 1967, or any other “banker’s lamp” (shorthand for the Emeralite desk lamps patented by H.G. McFaddin and Company), provides light at a downward angle that is perfect for writing, while the Fontana table lamp and the beloved Grasshopper lamp by Greta Magnusson-Grossman each yield a soft and even glow. Some table lamps require lampshades to be bought separately.
Whether it’s a classic antique Tiffany table lamp, a Murano glass table lamp or even a bold avant-garde fixture custom-made by a contemporary design firm, the right table lamp can completely transform a room. Find the right one for you on 1stDibs.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.
