1960s American Modern Table Floor Lamp in Walnut and White Laminate
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and unique table floor lamp, in solid walnut frame white laminate top and bottom centers, these lamp have been rewired, refinished and new lamp shade restored, with a perforated...
Laminate, Linen, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Table Lamps
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant pair of Adrian Pearsall table lamps for Modeline. Created out of walnut, lamps are in amazing unrestored original condition.
Brass
Sold|$1,900
Pair of Modeline Table Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of c. 1970, sculptural molded wood lamps by Modeline of California. Original white lacquered finish has softened to a consistent ivory.
Wood
Sold|$795
Mid Century Modeline Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Very unusual organic shaped walnut lamp base nice linen look shade. Accented by a thin brass rod from base to light socket. Retains the original Modeline Company tag.
Brass
Sold|$2,350
Pair of Modeline Table Lamps
Located in Richmond, VA
A monumental pair of Japanese inspired acrylic and wood table lamps. Signed with Modeline Co. decal label to the diffuser.
Acrylic, Wood
Sold|$1,200
Pair of Modeline Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Unique Pair of Modeline Cylinder Table Lamps. Teak & Brass base with Teak Arm Support and Original Shade.
Brass
Large Pair of Mosaic Tile Modeline Table Lamps
Located in Southfield, MI
Estate fresh pair of large table lamps by Modeline Lamps, dating to 1957. Designed as a pair of modernist mosaic tile lined compotes with an ingenious pull chain in the form of a rou...
Brass
Sold|$375
Walnut Table Lamp by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Walnut table lamp by Modeline. Overall very nice condition with new shade.
Walnut
Sold|$895
Mid-Century Table Lamp, Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Interesting walnut table lamp with both inner and outer shades intact. On and off switch controlled by a walnut pull attached to the brass rod in the center of lamp. Outer net shade ...
Walnut
Sold|$795
Mid-Century Table Lamp by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Black lacquered table lamp with frosted globes by Modeline, circa 1960s.
Opaline Glass, Wood
1960s Modeline Black Lacquered Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Amherst, NH
1960s black lacquered table lamp with a round white opaline shade designed by Modeline.
Glass, Lacquer
Sold|$1,600
Pair of Modeline Double Globe Table Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Papaikou, HI
Pair of Modeline double globe table lamps. A very hip look and a pair!
Metal
Mid-Century Modeline Danish Tall Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Great vintage Mid-Century Danish style tall table lamp by Modeline. The lamp is comprised of a sculptural walnut wood frame with original shade.
Pair of Sculptural Table Lamps by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
Beautiful pair of sculptural wood table lamps by Modeline. All original and in excellent condition.
Sold|$3,800
Pair of Modeline Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Southampton, NY
A large pair of sculptural Modeline wood lamps, updated in espresso lacquer and nickel. 28 inches to socket base. Shades for photo only.
Metal
Sold|$2,400
Pair of Mid Century Table Lamps, Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Very nice pair of Modeline lamps in original finish and with excellent original interior and exterior shades. The only minor difference is with the length of the small chain attached...
Brass
A Lyrical Modernist Table Lamp Attributed to Modeline of California
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lyrically turned walnut Modernist table lamp attributed to Modeline of California.
Brass
Sold|$900
Pair of Mid Century Lamps - Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
This unusual pair of lamps would be great accent lighting. Original finish on the walnut bases. The white opal glass tubular shades measure 3" diameter and are 10' tall, held securel...
Walnut, Glass
Sold|$2,150 / set
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Table Lamps by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Marietta, GA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut table lamps by Modeline. Great example of Mid-Century Modern design.
Walnut
Pair of Tall, Slender and Sculptural Midcentury Table Lamps by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in New York, NY
With a black finish over walnut, this highly sculptural pair of mid century lamps from Modeline is as striking as they are artistic. Three slender shaped wood tendrils surround the o...
Brass
Sold|$1,200
Modeline Lamp
By Verner Panton, Modeline Lamp Co., Joe Colombo
Located in Baltimore, MD
Racetrack form table lamp from Modeline. Ivory lacquered wood base.
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Large Mid Century Lamps - Modeline Style
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Large pair of Modeline style table lamps with tall architectural wood bases.
Brass
Modeline Sculptural Walnut Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Modeline huge and extremely rare lamp can be placed on the floor and up-lit for a dramatic effect or placed atop a credenza for direct lighting. Three way lighting system features si...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold|$2,400
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lamps by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of large teak/brass lamps with original double woven shades and brass pull-chains.
Brass
Rare Pair of Ebonized Wood Lamps by Modeline of California, circa 1950s
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
The lamps were manufactured by Modeline of California in the late 1950s and one of the sockets retains the original Modeline label.
Brass
Pair of MCM Modeline of California Walnut Lamps with Original Fabric Shades
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
This gorgeous, tall pair of walnut Modeline of California Mid-Century Modern lamps dates to the 1960s. Each measures 40” tall. A carved, rounded piece of walnut wood is attached to a...
Brass
Sold|$950
Mid Century Danish Style Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Nice design mid century Danish style table lamp with walnut framework, brass trim and original shade.
Brass
Sold|$595
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Ceramic & Walnut Table Lamp. Excellent condition with new shade. Rewired. Circa 1950's.
Ceramic, Walnut
Sold|$575
Modeline Vintage Table Lamp
Located in Southfield, MI
Tall and elegant Modeline lamp rendered in walnut and formed linen over fiberglass shade, dating to the mid 1960's. Heavy circular walnut base, tall accordion pleated shade, waln...
Walnut
Sold|$1,800
Monumental 1950s Modernist Walnut Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Washington, DC
Monumental 1950s modernist walnut table lamp
Plastic, Walnut
So Mid So Mod Tripod Style Mid-Century Table Lamp with Original Shade
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in New York, NY
Totally in the style of Modeline, this gorgeous Mid-Century lamp sports great lines and the original shade with leaf design. Brass and walnut (I think, maybe teak?) make for a wonder...
Wood
Mid Century Organic Modern Table Lamps by Light House Lamp Company
By Heifetz, Mutual Sunset Lamp Co., Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Framingham, MA
Incredible pair of table lamps by Light House Lamp Company - 1950’s. Original condition. Great patina and age appropriate wear. Slight separation where wood pieces were joined. Struc...
Brass
Sold|$650
Sculpted Wood Torso Lamp by Modeline
Located in TUJUNGA, CA
Sculpted wood torso lamp made by Modeline. Circa 1950. The lamp without the shade measures 23" by 12" by 6" With the shade as shown, the height is 42"
Wood
Interesting Vintage Modeline Co. Table Lamp with Custom Linen Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large vintage Modeline Co. table lamp from the 1950s. The body of the lamp is made of black painted wood, with brass detailing throughout.
Brass
Walnut and Brass Side Table Attributed to Modeline of California
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This attribution is based on the visual similarities of the table's base to the details of lamps made by the Modeline Company.
Brass
Oversized Modeline Walnut Fretwork Table Lamp with Double Shade, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized table lamp by Modeline of California with cylindrical walnut body, consisting of walnut fretwork or reticulated squares surrounding a central brass rod.
Brass
Sold|$1,800 / set
Sculpted Walnut Lamps a Pair
By Modeline Lamp Co., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Fulton, CA
An exceptional pair of gracefully sculpted solid walnut Mid-Century Modern table or floor lamps. Retaining original conical shades.
Walnut
Sold|$1,600
Pierre Cardin Form Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co., Pierre Cardin
Located in Baltimore, MD
Stellar pair almond lacquered snail form table lamps with chrome hardware. Dimensions shown are for white portion of bases only. Re-wired. Excellent condition. Please call Eddy at...
Wood
Pair of Tall Sculptural Midcentury Table Lamps by Modeline
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Modeline sculptural lamps rarely available, this pair of Modeline table lamps boast tall fiberglass cylinder shades encased in the most beautiful patinated walnut ...
Pair of Mid-Century Danish Modern Myrtle / Brass Teardrop Modeline Table Lamps
By Dansk
Located in Miami, FL
Myrtle wood construction with brass accents. Cool pull down on/ off mechanism. Shades appear to be silk and are lined in gold color thick paper. Finials are solid brass. Wiring is or...
Brass
Sold|$2,400
Modeline Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Washington, DC
Groovy pair of Modeline stylized S curve lamps. Ivory lacquered wood bases slight patina of age. Heavy pulls nice detail. 23.50" to socket base.
Wood
Mid Century Table Lamp - Modeline of California
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Sculpted wood frame and original nubby fabric shade. Retains Modeline Company tag. Brass accents. Shade is 17" by 19 1/2" tall.
Brass
Mid Century Modern Modeline of California Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Mid-century table lamp by Modeline of California, circa 1960s, in the manner of Adrian Pearsall.
Wood
Modeline Walnut and Frosted Glass Globe Lamp, 1960s
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Mid-Century Modern large table lamp is by Modeline. Its sculptural form consists of three walnut rings staggered on top of each other, each one containing one frosted glass globe.
Chrome
Danish Modern Pair of Modeline Rocket Teak Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Cookeville, TN
This is a Classic pair of vintage Danish Modern Modeline Rocket table lamps. Lamps feature an ebonized finish, with secondary inner parchment shade, and outer open weave drum shade a...
Cane, Wood, Parchment Paper
Sold|$700
1950s Modernist Table Lamp
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s table lamp on a wood three leg ebonized wood base with brass connecting rods. There is a fiberglass diffuser and the original 1950s shade. Measures: 13" wide x 31.5 high (i...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Lamps in Sculptural Walnut with Brass Accents by Modeline
By Adrian Pearsall, John Keal, Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Framingham, MA
Excellent size and lines to these great sculptural walnut Modeline 1950's lamps. Three way socket. Minor wear - nice vintage condition. I used a period correct shade in the pic...
Brass
Pair of 1950s Ebonized Oak A-Frame Table Lamps
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of 1950s "A-frame" ebonized oak table lamps with brass fittings. New burlap drum shades. Measures: 27.5" high x 16" wide, including shade. 21" high (including socket) x 8"...
Oak
Pair of Mod Modeline Curvaceous Cantilevered End Tables
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Uncommon modeline wood end tables finished in bright white lacquer that would pair perfectly with the sculptural lighting designer’s iconic “Cobra” floor lamp.
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Walnut Table Lamps, Modeline Style
Located in Crockett, CA
Very nice pair of walnut Modeline style table lamps. Three walnut prongs are attached to a circular base with a brass accent tube in the center.
Brass
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.