At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal reverse painting lamp for your home. A reverse painting lamp — often made from
glass,
metal and
brass — can elevate any home. Find 17 options for an antique or vintage reverse painting lamp now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the reverse painting lamp you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Each reverse painting lamp bearing
mid-century modern,
Art Deco or
Art Nouveau hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made reverse painting lamp over the years, but those crafted by
Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres,
Daum and
Fontana Arte are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
A reverse painting lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,995, while the lowest priced sells for $656 and the highest can go for as much as $71,751.
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.