French Crystal and Ormolu Bronze Sinumbra Lamp with Orig. Frosted Globe, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French crystal and gilt bronze ormolu Sinumbra lamp with central fluted crystal column, lambs tongue gilt bronze base, original four scrolled feet, and retains the original foliage ...
Crystal, Brass, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Sinumbra Oil Lamp with Cut Glass Shade
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome urn form sinumbra lamp retains it's original oil reservoir.
Bronze
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra Lamp from the Estate of Paul and Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine classical carcel lamp would originally have had a burner and glass shade but now is fitted for electricity and will require a tole or cloth shade. Designed as a classical...
Bronze
Pair of Cast Brass & Tole Neoclassical Sinumbra Style Lamps
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of very dramatic tall cast & tole neoclassical sinumbra style lamps with frosted etched glass shades appear to be antique from the 1820s however are made circa 1930.
Brass
Ormolu Corinthian Column Sinumbra Base Table Lamps, France, circa 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exquisite pair of neoclassical Corinthian column form table lamps converted to electricity in the early 20th century from circa 1825 French Sinumbra oil lamp bases, the lost-wax-c...
Metal, Brass, Ormolu
Neoclassical Black and Ormolu Bronze Sinumbra Base Table Lamp, circa 1835
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An unusual and finely cast circa 1835 English William IV or French Louis Philippe period ormolu and black-patinated solid bronze table lamp of columnular form, the base originally us...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu, Wire
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra or Carcel Lamp from the Estate of Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This very nice carcel lamp now converted to electricity comes from the estate and Paul and Bunny Mellon and formed part of the decorations of their home Oak Springs Farm. The lamp, o...
Bronze, Tin
Thomas Messenger and Sons 'Atlas' Sculpture Bronze Lamp Base, England circa 1835
By Thomas Messenger
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Originally a sinumbra lamp, it was converted to electricity in the early 20th century.
Bronze
Antique Sinumbra Lamp, Rococo Style with Silverplate Base
Located in Long Island, NY
An unusual Rococo silver plate Sinumbra lamp from the mid-19th century. The ornate silver plate base had been electrified by a prior owner who added an on and off switch to the base...
Silver Plate
Unavailable
H 22.84 in Dm 9.45 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Tole Sinumbra Table Lamps with Etched Glass Shades
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century French Carcel table lamps with sin umbra shades, fluted columns on rectangular plinth bases. Decorated in gold with painted Griffins and Poppies. Acid etched glass...
Brass, Tin
American Brass and Crystal Marble Sinumbra Lamp, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt brass and crystal Sinumbra lamp with the original frosted etched floral globe, elongated prisms, fluted floral column, original oil reservoir, and terminating on a step...
Crystal, Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Pair of American Bronze & Marble Crystal Sinumbra Lamps, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American bronze and crystal Sinumbra lamps with the original frosted etched floral globes, original triangular prisms, griffon capitals, fluted columns, and terminating on tr...
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Antique Neoclassical Brass Sinumbra Lamp with Cut Glass Shade & Prisms, c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique electrified Neoclassical Sinumbra table lamp offers foliate cut glass shade over brass single socket base on stepped marble, hanging cut glass prisms surround, c1840.
Metal, Brass
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze Electrified Solar Table Lamp c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze Electrified Solar Table Lamp C1840 Measures - 29 1/8" x 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" This antique Argand Sinumbra lamp, dating to circa 1840, features a finely cr...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Crystal Electrified Astral Dragon Lamps, circa 1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
19th century pair bronze astral electrified dragon (solar or sinumbra) lamps feature curved arms, opposing falcon mounts, cut crystal prisms, and later replacement frosted shades, ci...
Bronze
Sold
H 21 in W 16 in D 5 in
Bronze Electrified Double Astral Argand Lamp by Baldwin Gardiner, circa 1840
By Baldwin Gardiner
Located in Big Flats, NY
Reminiscent of a solar or sinumbra lamp.
Bronze
Bronze Table Lamp, Thomas Messenger and Sons, England, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Originally a sinumbra lamp, converted to electricity in the early 20th century.
Bronze
Henry N. Hooper & Company Bronze Table Lamp, Boston, circa 1840
By Henry N. Hooper & Co.
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Hooper & Company, a leading purveyor of lighting fixtures in mid-19th century Boston, active from 1831 to 1868. Originally a sinumbra lamp, converted to electricity in the early 20th...
Bronze
Pair of American Sinumbra Table Lamps
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American bronze and crystal sinumbra table lamps with original etched frosted globes, centered Corinthian column, terminating on scrolled floral marble base.
Antique Sinumbra Argand Brass and Crystal Solar Lamp C1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Sinumbra Argand Brass and Crystal Solar Lamp with Etched Glass Shade and Marble Base C1840 Measures- 18"H x 7"W x 7"D
Crystal, Marble, Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 12 in D 12 in
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze & Marble Table Lamp c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze & Marble Table Lamp with Cut Back Glass Shade and Crystal Prisms, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 30" x 12" x 12"
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 25.75 in W 12 in D 12 in
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze, Marble & Crystal Table Lamp
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze, Marble & Crystal Table Lamp with Cut Back Glass Shade, electrified, c1840 Measures - 25 5/8" x 12" x 12"
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Antique Argand Sinumbra Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp & Opalescent Floral Etched
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Brass Solar Lamp with Opalescent Floral Etched Glass Shade, Cut Crystal Prisms and Marble Base, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 18"h x 6.5"diam
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 25.5 in Dm 8.25 in
Antique Figural Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp, Electrified
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Figural Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Prism Solar Lamp with Floral Etched Opalescent Shade and Female Form Base, Electrified, c1840 Measures - 25.5"h x 8.25"diam
Crystal, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 28.25 in W 8.75 in D 8.75 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Hanging Crystal Solar Lamp c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Foliate Cast Bronze, Brass & Hanging Crystal Solar Lamp with Opalescent Floral Etched Glass Shade, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 28.25"H x 8.75"W x 8.75"D
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 23.75 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze Crystal & Marble Solar Lamp
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Cornelius School Sinumbra Argand Bronze Crystal & Marble Solar Lamp with Etched Glass Shade, electrified, c1840 Measures - 23 3/4" x 8 1/4" x 8 1/4"
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 30.5 in W 34.25 in D 25.5 in
Neoclassical Sinumbra Style Brass, Crystal & Marble Table Lamp 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An neoclassical Sinumbra style electric table lamp offers etched glass shade over double socket base having reeded Corinthian column pedestal having marble plinth, 20th century Me...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 21.75 in W 7.75 in D 7.75 in
Antique Brass, Crystal & Marble Sinumbra Solar Lamp, Electrified, circa 1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Sinumbra Solar lamp offers foliate etched shade over balustrade form brass base on marble with hanging cut prism surround, electrified, c1860.
Marble, Brass
Antique Argand Sinumbra Solar Lamp with Glass Base & Opalescent Floral Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Solar Lamp with Glass Base & Opalescent Floral Etched Glass Shade, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 20"h x 6"diam
Glass
Sold
H 26.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze & Brass Solar Lamp With Opalescent Floral Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze & Brass Solar Lamp with Opalescent Floral Etched Glass Shade & Marble Base, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 26.25"h x 7.75"diam
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 21.25 in Dm 8 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp with Opalescent Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass, Marble and Crystal Solar Lamp With Opalescent Floral Etched Glass Shade, Electrified, C1840 Measures - 21.25"h x 8"diam
Crystal, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Vintage Ebonized and Bronzed Metal Sinumbra Style Table Lamp, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Sinumbra style table lamp offers ebonized column form bronzed metal base seated on ball feet, 20th century.
Metal
Sold
H 19.5 in Dm 6.5 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp With Opalescent Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Prism Solar Lamp with Floral Etched Opalescent Shade and Fluted Base, Electrified, c1840 Measures - 19.5"h x 6.5"diam
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 22.75 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Antique Cornelius Sinumbra Argand Bronze Solar Lamp with Etched Glass Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Cornelius Sinumbra Argand Bronze Solar Lamp with Etched Glass Shade, Electrified, c1840 Measures - 22 3/4" x 8 1/4" x 8 1/4"
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 24 in Dm 7.5 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp With Opalescent Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Prism Solar Lamp with Floral Etched Opalescent Shade and Floral Embossed Base, Electrified, c1840 Measures - 24"h x 7.5"diam
Crystal, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 25.25 in Dm 8 in
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Solar Lamp With Opalescent Shade
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Argand Sinumbra Bronze, Brass & Crystal Prism Solar Lamp with Floral Etched Opalescent Shade and Floral Embossed Base, Electrified, c1840 Measures - 25.25"h x 8"diam
Crystal, Marble, Brass, Bronze
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.
Designer Eva Menz wants the light to "evoke curiosity and a sense of wonder."
Working with resin, a tricky material, has created moments of failure — and enlightenment.
Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.
Across New York, there’s no shortage of statement lighting on view.
The 1920s design is a thrilling combination of saturated colors, ancient motifs and modern aesthetics.
Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.