Find many varieties of an authentic reverse painted shade available at 1stDibs. A reverse painted shade — often made from
glass,
metal and
brass — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a reverse painted shade — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A reverse painted shade, designed in the
Arts and Crafts or
Art Nouveau style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made reverse painted shade over the years, but those crafted by
Pairpoint Glassworks,
Handel Lamp Co. and
Phoenix are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
Prices for a reverse painted shade can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $900 and can go as high as $6,500, while the average can fetch as much as $1,550.
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.