At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal porcelain oil lamp for your home. Frequently made of
ceramic,
porcelain and
metal, every porcelain oil lamp was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect porcelain oil lamp — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A porcelain oil lamp is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in
Victorian,
Mid-Century Modern and
Art Deco styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one porcelain oil lamp that is appealing in its simplicity, but
Gagneau Paris,
Bayeux and
Bing & Grøndahl produced versions that are worth a look.
Prices for a porcelain oil lamp can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $10 and can go as high as $12,500, while the average can fetch as much as $1,875.
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.