What is a good desk lamp?

A good desk lamp is going to make a substantial difference in any home, office or studio. The ideal desk lamp should provide apt task lighting, be easy to use, and also be aesthetically pleasing. Find a wide range of unique and elegant desk lamps on 1stDibs today.

What is the best desk lamp?

The best desk lamp is a matter of preference — the right fixture can help you work more efficiently while also reducing eye strain. LED desk lamps in the 2700K to 4500K color temperature range often provide a warm and pleasing light under which to work. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and modern desk lamps from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Who invented the desk lamp?

No one knows for sure who invented the desk lamp , as many engineers worked on designs for lamps during the 1920s. Many experts cite the Anglepoise lamp, however, as the earliest iteration of the modern desk lamp. Since its 1934 debut, this ingenious task light has become one of the most celebrated examples of industrial design. How the Anglepoise came to be is the stuff of design legend : In 1932, a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine joined forces with a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons , to create a mechanism by which opposed springs would, as Carwardine explained, exert a “unidirectional constant force” on a pivoted lever that could counteract the force of gravity.This invention was not destined for an auto but for a lamp Carwardine was developing. The innovation would allow the piece’s articulated arm to be moved with ease to almost any position and remain there. As the product of engineering acumen rather than fashion, the Anglepoise soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted it as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.”The Angelpoise's rivals include the 1930 Bestlite, which was one of the earliest Bauhaus -influenced designs, created by Robert Dudley Best , who had studied under Walter Gropius at the Bauhaus in Dessau . German modernist Karl Trabert ’s 1930s desk lamp for Schanzenbach & Co. was notable for its domed shade above a hinged arm.Find vintage table lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.

What is the best LED desk lamp?

There are many types of best LED desk lamps for your home — it's really a matter of preference. On 1stDibs, there are modern, mid-century modern desk lamps and other lighting to choose from.

Who designed the Anglepoise desk lamp?

British designer George Carwardine designed the Anglepoise desk lamp. Before creating the light fixture, he worked as an engineer designing automobile suspension systems. The first Anglepoise lamps debuted in 1931. You can find a variety of Anglepoise desk lamps on 1stDibs.

What are green desk lamps called?

The desk lamps with the green shade are called banker’s lamps. Banker’s lamps are green because it is believed the color helps to encourage concentration and is mentally soothing. It is also said that green helps with eye strain. You can shop a selection of banker’s lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Articulated Desk Lamp

Koch And Lowy Table Lamp

Chrome Luxo Lamps

Midcentury Modern Architects Desk

1950s Industrial Table Lamp

French Industrial Dining Table

Brass Bankers Lamp

Adjustable Lamps

Ledu Lamp

Stilnovo articulated desk Lamp, circa 1950 Rare

$3,247

H 33.86 in W 4.06 in D 4.06 in

Stilnovo articulated desk Lamp, circa 1950 Rare

By Stilnovo

Located in London, GB

Rare Stilnovo articulated desk lamp with black shade. Brass has nice patina and the lamp has

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp with Clamp Fixing, 1950s

$1,556

H 23.63 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp with Clamp Fixing, 1950s

By Stilnovo

Located in London, GB

An unusual articulated desk lamp with clamp fitting that allows the light to be attached to a desk

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Stilnovo Milano, Large Articulated Desk Lamp from 60s, Signed

$1,978

H 41.74 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in

Stilnovo Milano, Large Articulated Desk Lamp from 60s, Signed

By Stilnovo

Located in Catania, CT

Good vintage condition with trace of age and use for this blue metal articulated desk lamp produced

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Large Adjustable Articulated Desk Lamp in Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern

$941

H 26.78 in Dm 15.36 in

Large Adjustable Articulated Desk Lamp in Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern

By Stilnovo

Located in Rome, IT

Adjustable articulated desk lamp in Stilnovo style, in black metal and brass. Dimensions

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

20th Century Spanish Articulated Desk Lamp by Fase, 1970s

$781Sale Price|44% Off

H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in

20th Century Spanish Articulated Desk Lamp by Fase, 1970s

By Fase

Located in LEGNY, FR

Very nice 20th century Spanish articulated desk lamp designed by Fase in the 1970s. The top of

Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Articulated Desk Lamp by Walligraph

$3,800

H 39.5 in W 6.75 in D 18.5 in

Articulated Desk Lamp by Walligraph

By Walligraph

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An articulated Zonalite desk lamp with a pivoting black and white enameled shade and a square moat

Category

Vintage 1930s English Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Articulated Desk Lamp for Dazor

$3,600

H 44 in W 24 in D 3.5 in

Articulated Desk Lamp for Dazor

By Dazor

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A finely machined and articulating industrial under mount desk lamp crafted of thin-gauged

Category

Vintage 1930s North American Industrial Table Lamps

Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 Black Two Step Articulated Desk Lamp 1930's

$1,055

H 35.44 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in

Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 Black Two Step Articulated Desk Lamp 1930's

By Herbert Terry

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 Black Two Step Articulated Desk Lamp 1930's Model 1227 (1938

Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Industrial Articulated Desk Lamp With Clip

$695

H 9.5 in W 4.5 in D 5.5 in

Vintage Industrial Articulated Desk Lamp With Clip

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This antique industrial task lamp is a quintessential example of early 20th-century Machine Age

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

An Edwardian Brass Twin Arm Articulated Desk Lamp

$3,112

H 24.41 in W 17.33 in D 7.09 in

An Edwardian Brass Twin Arm Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

England, circa 1910 An Edwardian brass desk lamp, the stem with articulated twin arms and matching

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Stilnovo, Mid-Century Lacquer and Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp

$1,565

H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 12.21 in

Stilnovo, Mid-Century Lacquer and Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp

By Stilnovo

Located in Catania, CT

Good vintage condition with normal trace of age and use for this desk lamp produced by Stilnovo

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

1970s Vintage Articulated Desk Lamp in Brushed Chrome, Modern Design

$1,648

H 22.05 in W 11.82 in D 5.52 in

1970s Vintage Articulated Desk Lamp in Brushed Chrome, Modern Design

Located in Beirut, LB

Desk lamp with adjustable height and all directions ( 360 degrees) tilt-able lampshade. Material is

Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Luis Perez De La Oliva Fase "Boomerang 2000" Articulated Desk Lamp, Spain 1970s

$941

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in D 22.05 in

Luis Perez De La Oliva Fase "Boomerang 2000" Articulated Desk Lamp, Spain 1970s

By Fase

Located in Naples, IT

Large desk lamp mod. "Boomerang 2000" , gray/silver enameled steel arm pivoted on round nickel

Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Industrial Office Architect Desk Lamp by Ledu, 1970s, Made in Sweden

$1,471

H 31.5 in Dm 7.88 in

Industrial Office Architect Desk Lamp by Ledu, 1970s, Made in Sweden

Located in Antwerp, BE

Industrial office desk lamp by Ledu, 1970s, Made in Sweden Big adjustable articulated desk lamp by

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Spring-balanced mid-century desk lamp by Ledu, Sweden

$1,153

H 29.53 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in

Spring-balanced mid-century desk lamp by Ledu, Sweden

Located in Wolfurt, AT

Spring-balanced articulated desk lamp by Ledu, Sweden, mid-century. Classic Scandinavian table lamp

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Large Aluminum Desk Lamp by Etienne Fermigier for Monic, 1970s

$1,059

H 21.66 in W 19.69 in D 8.27 in

Large Aluminum Desk Lamp by Etienne Fermigier for Monic, 1970s

By Etienne Fermigier, Edition Monix

Located in Brussel, BE

Large French articulated desk lamp in brushed aluminum, designed by Etienne Fermigier for Monix in

Category

Vintage 1970s French Space Age Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Mid century Maurizio Tempestini, Laurel Brass Desk Lamp, Articulated

$1,250

H 11.5 in W 11.5 in D 8.5 in

Mid century Maurizio Tempestini, Laurel Brass Desk Lamp, Articulated

By Laurel Lamp Company, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Miami, FL

Mid century Maurizio Tempestini, Laurel Brass Desk Lamp, Articulated Offered for sale is a 1950s

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp from USA

$1,800

H 13 in Dm 5.5 in

Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp from USA

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An adjustable and articulated industrial desk lamp patinated in black with a stepped base

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Iron

Midcentury Articulated Wall or Desk Lamp, 1960s

$786

H 47.25 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in

Midcentury Articulated Wall or Desk Lamp, 1960s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Charming Industrial articulated wall or desk lamp salvaged from a hospital. This Industrial lamp

Category

Vintage 1960s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Chrome

Articulated Green Glass Square Tube Desk Lamp

$875

H 45 in Dm 5.5 in

Articulated Green Glass Square Tube Desk Lamp

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is a beautiful telescoping drafting/art table lamp. The base has a clamp for mounting

Category

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Articulated Desk or Bedside Lamp - 1970s

$553

H 11.03 in W 4.34 in D 5.91 in

Vintage Italian Articulated Desk or Bedside Lamp - 1970s

Located in Linkebeek, BE

- Chrome This charming little articulated lamp features a nearly round, swiveling shade with a built-in

Category

20th Century Italian Space Age Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Superb Art Deco Articulated Bankers Brass Desk Lamp

$2,706

H 16 in W 7 in D 8.5 in

Superb Art Deco Articulated Bankers Brass Desk Lamp

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Superb Art Deco Articulated Bankers Brass Desk Lamp, A very good looking and decorative piece, the

Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Jumo model 900 desk lamp, articulated arm + adjustable reflector

$941Sale Price|20% Off

H 23.63 in W 19.69 in D 7.09 in

Jumo model 900 desk lamp, articulated arm + adjustable reflector

Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR

Pretty large desk lamp with articulating arm that allows you to adjust the direction of the light

Category

Vintage 1980s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Modern, Articulated, Copper & Walnut Timber, Mortar & Pestle Table & Desk Lamp

$1,570 / item

H 20.48 in W 31.5 in D 7.88 in

Modern, Articulated, Copper & Walnut Timber, Mortar & Pestle Table & Desk Lamp

By Egg Designs

Located in Bothas Hill, KZN

the light to articulate. This articulation makes this lamp perfect for a desk or other task lighting

Category

2010s South African Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Copper, Steel

Louis Poulsen White Articulated Architects Desk or Wall Lamp, 1980s

$434

H 40 in Dm 8 in

Louis Poulsen White Articulated Architects Desk or Wall Lamp, 1980s

By Louis Poulsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

adjustable white 'Anglepoise' desk light was designed in-house at Louis Poulsen in the early 1970s. This one

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Louis Poulsen Black Articulated Architects Desk or Wall Lamp, 1970s

$559

H 40 in Dm 8 in

Louis Poulsen Black Articulated Architects Desk or Wall Lamp, 1970s

By Louis Poulsen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

adjustable black 'Anglepoise' desk or wall light was designed in-house at Louis Poulsen in the early 1970s

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Rare Articulated Sculptural Italian Desk Lamp, 1980s Mid-Century Modern

$1,530

H 35.44 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Rare Articulated Sculptural Italian Desk Lamp, 1980s Mid-Century Modern

Located in Rome, IT

This rare table lamp can be folded or shaped in all the desired ways thanks to its extreme

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Large Articulated Mid-Century Modern Chrome-Plated Desk Lamp - Belgium, 1960s

$1,295 / item

H 34.26 in W 19.69 in D 8.67 in

Large Articulated Mid-Century Modern Chrome-Plated Desk Lamp - Belgium, 1960s

Located in Girona, Girona

Large articulated chrome-plated desk lamp, granular black painted cast base and black lacquered

Category

Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Sheet Metal

Angelo Lelli Style Articulated Midcentury Brass Table Desk Lamp, Italy, 1950s

$3,700

H 22 in W 22 in D 10 in

Angelo Lelli Style Articulated Midcentury Brass Table Desk Lamp, Italy, 1950s

By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii

Located in Vienna, AT

A French articulating height adjustable brass table or desk lamp from the 1950s. This iconic light

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Brass

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

$1,400Sale Price|25% Off

H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 5.91 in

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Early 20th century Art Deco articulated brass gooseneck desk lamp with decorated Brassed Copper

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

$1,691

H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 5.91 in

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Early 20th century Art Deco articulated brass gooseneck desk lamp with decorated Brassed Copper

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Koch & Lowy Articulated Swing Brass Desk Lamp Mid-Century Modern 1965 Stamped

$2,400

H 13.25 in W 29.25 in D 6.5 in

Koch & Lowy Articulated Swing Brass Desk Lamp Mid-Century Modern 1965 Stamped

By Koch & Lowy

Located in Miami, FL

This Swing Brass Desk Lamp was made by Koch & Lowy the esteemed American Company that designed

Category

Vintage 1960s American Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Stone, Brass, Metal

Adjustable Pair of Minimalist Articulated Desk Clamp Lamps by Staff Germany 1960

$4,450 / set

H 29.53 in W 11.82 in D 2.56 in

Adjustable Pair of Minimalist Articulated Desk Clamp Lamps by Staff Germany 1960

By Staff Leuchten

Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen

Elegant pair of adjustable clamp desk lamps made and marked by Staff Leuchten in the 1960s in

Category

Vintage 1960s German Minimalist Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Filippo Panseca for Arteluce, Articulated Desk Light, 1960s

$3,856

H 7.88 in W 4.14 in D 3.35 in

Filippo Panseca for Arteluce, Articulated Desk Light, 1960s

By Arteluce

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

Filippo Panseca for Arteluce, Articulated Desk Light, 1960s. The design comprises a clear perspex

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Industrial style metal desk lamp with two articulated arms by Jean-Louis Domecq

$1,695Sale Price|20% Off

H 39.38 in Dm 8.27 in

Industrial style metal desk lamp with two articulated arms by Jean-Louis Domecq

By Jean Louis Domecq, Jielde

Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR

Superb old desk lamp. Marked industrial style for this Iconic lamp with a very beautiful patina

Category

Vintage 1950s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Adjustable Desk Lamp from Germany

$3,600

H 18.5 in W 6.5 in D 11 in

Adjustable Desk Lamp from Germany

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An adjustable and articulated industrial desk lamp in patinated brass having a stepped base and

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Adjustable Desk Lamp from Germany

$3,600

H 20 in W 6 in D 8.5 in

Adjustable Desk Lamp from Germany

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An adjustable and articulated industrial desk lamp in patinated brass having a stepped base and

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Adjustable Desk lamp from Germany

$3,800

H 20 in W 6.5 in D 9.5 in

Adjustable Desk lamp from Germany

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An adjustable and articulated industrial desk lamp in patinated brass having a stepped base

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Important tilting desk lamp in white metal 1960.

$753Sale Price|20% Off

H 23.63 in W 19.69 in D 6.7 in

Important tilting desk lamp in white metal 1960.

Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR

Pretty large desk lamp with articulated arm, on hammered steel base with storage spaces. Light

Category

Vintage 1960s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Steel

Desk Lamp Art deco modernist 1930 by Monix Paris

$941

H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 11.03 in

Desk Lamp Art deco modernist 1930 by Monix Paris

By Edition Monix

Located in Marseille, FR

Desk lamp articulated modernist Art Deco 1930 by Monix Paris.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamps by André Mounique for Maison Jumo - France

$2,178 / set

H 18.9 in W 16.54 in D 8.27 in

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamps by André Mounique for Maison Jumo - France

By Andre Mounique

Located in Girona, Girona

Pair of desk lamps, articulated by two ball joints, black and white lacquered steel base and

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

1960s Fase 'Tharsis' Chrome Table Lamp, Spain

$895Sale Price|40% Off

H 18 in W 12.5 in D 5.75 in

1960s Fase 'Tharsis' Chrome Table Lamp, Spain

By Fase

Located in St- Leonard, Quebec

Fase chrome table or desk lamp with articulated, foldable arm. Shade measure 12.5 inches long

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Recent Sales

Midcentury Fase 520-C Bauhaus Design Red Articulated Desk Lamp

Unavailable

H 16.15 in Dm 12.21 in

Midcentury Fase 520-C Bauhaus Design Red Articulated Desk Lamp

By Fase

Located in Valencia, Valencia

Midcentury Fase 520-C Bauhaus design red articulated desk Lamp. Produced by Fase Industries in

Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

French Articulated Desk Lamp

Unavailable

H 27 in Dm 7 in

French Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

French desk lamp.

Category

Early 20th Century French Table Lamps

Koch & Lowy Desk Lamp

Unavailable

H 17 in

Koch & Lowy Desk Lamp

By Koch & Lowy

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Handsome, functional articulated desk lamp in brass.

Category

20th Century American Table Lamps

Desk Lamp by Stilux

Unavailable

H 13.39 in Dm 15.75 in

Desk Lamp by Stilux

By Stilux

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Provence

1950's articulated Desk Lamp by Stilux (Milano)

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Midcentury Industrial Italian Igloo Desk Lamp by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 1970

Unavailable

H 27.56 in W 5.12 in D 7.88 in

Midcentury Industrial Italian Igloo Desk Lamp by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 1970

By Lumina, Tommaso Cimini

Located in Valencia, Valencia

Postmodern Industrial articulated desk lamp designed by Tommaso Cimini and produced by Lumina in

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Maurizio Tempestini for Lightolier

Unavailable

H 22 in W 7.5 in D 11 in

Mid-Century Desk Lamp by Maurizio Tempestini for Lightolier

By Maurizio Tempestini, Lightolier

Located in Toronto, ON

Fully articulated desk lamp produced by Lightolier and designed by Maurizio Tempestini (attribution

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Herbet Terry 1960s Articulated Arm Desk Lamp

Unavailable

H 50 in W 14 in D 5 in

Herbet Terry 1960s Articulated Arm Desk Lamp

Located in Alton, GB

1970s desk lamp with articulated arm designed by Herbert Terry in an earthy tones of stone,grey and

Category

20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Articulated Brass Desk Lamp, circa 1960

Unavailable

H 21 in Dm 16 in

Midcentury Articulated Brass Desk Lamp, circa 1960

By Paavo Tynell

Located in Mount Penn, PA

this vintage articulated brass desk lamp is in the style of Finnish designer Paavo Tynell.

Category

Mid-20th Century Irish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Chrome Art Deco Modernist Desk Table Lamp Lacquered Articulated Lighting French

Unavailable

H 16.54 in W 14.97 in D 21.26 in

Chrome Art Deco Modernist Desk Table Lamp Lacquered Articulated Lighting French

By Eileen Gray

Located in Dorking, Surrey

Chrome-plated with green lacquered metal shade desk lamp. This is a heavy and quality lamp, hence

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Other, Chrome

Multi X desk lamp by Yaacov Kaufman for Lumina Italia, 1st edition, 1980s

Unavailable

H 35.83 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Multi X desk lamp by Yaacov Kaufman for Lumina Italia, 1st edition, 1980s

By Yaacov Kaufman

Located in MIJDRECHT, NL

Multi "X" Articulated sculptural desk lamp designed by Yaacov Kaufman for Italian lighting

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Minimalist Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Metallic Thread

Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 22 in Dm 6 in

Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in Ferndale, MI

Articulated Desk Lamp 22" tall x 6" diameter (base) x 5" diameter (shade)

Category

Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps

Articulated Desk Lamps

Sold

H 21.5 in W 6 in D 25 in

Articulated Desk Lamps

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An excellent fully articulated desk lamp in polished and patinated steel having pivoting dome hood

Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Baltensweiler Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 39.38 in Dm 8.67 in

Baltensweiler Articulated Desk Lamp

By Rosemarie & Rico Baltensweiler

Located in Geneva, CH

Articulated desk lamp by Swiss architects Rico & Rosemary Baltensweiler ca.1955 Interrupter on top

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome, Steel

1950s Brass Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 19.69 in W 16.15 in D 11.82 in

1950s Brass Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

A large brass articulated desk lamp France, circa 1950.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 14.57 in W 13 in D 11.82 in

Art Deco Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in Girona, Girona

Art deco articulated desk lamp in brass, with many positions. Italy c. 1930 Maximum lenght

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian 1950's Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 24 in W 20 in L 24 in

Italian 1950's Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in Montclair, NY

Circa 1950 Italian articulated desk lamp with grey and blush color marble base. Original green

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Brass, Aluminum

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp with glass base, circa 1950

Sold

H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp with glass base, circa 1950

Located in London, GB

Articulated desk lamp early 1950s. Original paint on shade. Re wired and PAT tested.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Red Articulated Desk Lamp by Ledu, Made in, France

Sold

H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in

Red Articulated Desk Lamp by Ledu, Made in, France

Located in Lyon, FR

Big articulated desk lamp by Ledu, made in France in the 1970s. Was a workshop lamp before

Category

Vintage 1970s French Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

English mid 20th Century “anglepoise” architects desk lamp

Category

20th Century British Table Lamps

Unique Articulated Desk Lamp With Porcelain Halo Shade

Sold

H 16 in Dm 9.5 in

Unique Articulated Desk Lamp With Porcelain Halo Shade

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is a nice clean Bauhaus style articulated desk lamp. The green porcelain halo shade is a

Category

20th Century Unknown Flush Mount

Materials

Metal

Guzzini of Italy 1970s Very Large Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 43 in W 30 in L 43 in

Guzzini of Italy 1970s Very Large Articulated Desk Lamp

By Guzzini

Located in Montclair, NY

articulated desk lamp. The shade and angle of the lamp are adjustable. The base is 10.5 inches in diameter and

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 24 in W 28.5 in D 6 in

Art Deco Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

Machine Age chrome desk lamp with adjustable articulated pivot points, counterweighted cantilever

Category

Vintage 1930s American Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Oscar Torlasco Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 21.26 in Dm 13 in

Oscar Torlasco Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

Articulated Oscar Torlasco desk lamp in black, cream and gold - sand blasted brass plate on steel

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp, 1980s

Sold

H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 7.88 in

Italian Articulated Desk Lamp, 1980s

Located in Brussel, BE

Articulated desk or table lamp made of golden metal, designed in Italy in the 1980’s. - Lampe de

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Fontana Arte Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 13 in Dm 7.09 in

Fontana Arte Articulated Desk Lamp

By Fontana Arte

Located in London, GB

Italy, circa 1950 A mid 20th century desk lamp with circular glass base, curved brass stem, and

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Articulated Desk Lamp Designed by Jacques Adnet

Sold

H 20.67 in W 8.67 in D 7.49 in

Articulated Desk Lamp Designed by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in London, GB

Articulated black leather desk lamp with original perspex shade

Category

Vintage 1960s French Table Lamps

Modernist Articulated Desk Lamp By Kurt Versen

Sold

H 9.75 in W 18 in D 17.25 in

Modernist Articulated Desk Lamp By Kurt Versen

By J.T. Kalmar, Kurt Versen

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An elegant and finely rendered patinated brass desk lamp having a weighted disc base and gracefully

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

Tito Agnoli Articulated desk lamp, model 255

Sold

H 20.08 in W 11.03 in D 3.94 in

Tito Agnoli Articulated desk lamp, model 255

Located in Munster, NRW

The Tito Agnoli 255 Lamp is an iconic piece from the mid-1950s, designed with an elegant minimalist

Category

Vintage 1950s Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

An Edwardian Brass Twin Arm Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 24.41 in W 17.33 in D 7.09 in

An Edwardian Brass Twin Arm Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in London, GB

England, circa 1910 An Edwardian brass desk lamp, the stem with articulated twin arms and matching

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Grey Industrial Articulated Desk Lamp from Jielde, 1950s

Sold

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 7.88 in

Grey Industrial Articulated Desk Lamp from Jielde, 1950s

By Jielde

Located in Nijmegen, NL

This industrial lamp was manufactured by Jielde in Lyon, France during the 1950s. The lamp is

Category

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Fase Articulated Desk Lamp with Red Enamel Shade

Sold

H 16 in W 23 in D 11 in

Fase Articulated Desk Lamp with Red Enamel Shade

By Fase

Located in Astoria, NY

A vintage desk lamp by Fase, produced circa 1970s, with red enameled shade and beige arm. The piece

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Fase Large "Boomerang 2000" Articulated Desk Lamp, Spain 1970s

Sold

H 16.15 in W 11.82 in D 22.05 in

Fase Large "Boomerang 2000" Articulated Desk Lamp, Spain 1970s

By Fase

Located in Naples, IT

Lampada da scrivania grande mod. "Boomerang 2000" , braccio in acciaio smaltato grigio/argento imperniato su base tonda in metallo nichelato, diffusore in vetro satinato con copertur...

Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp by Koch and Lowy

Sold

H 18 in W 8 in D 8 in

Mid Century Chrome Articulated Desk Lamp by Koch and Lowy

Located in Astoria, NY

A vintage desk lamp by Koch and Lowy with two cylinder lights and a round base. Each light is

Category

20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

1970s Brass & Marble Articulated Desk Lamp // Italian Angle-poise Reading Light

Sold

H 23.63 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in

1970s Brass & Marble Articulated Desk Lamp // Italian Angle-poise Reading Light

By Hillebrand

Located in Torquay, GB

Vintage 1970s angle-poise desk lamp. Articulated and sleek reading light, made of brass and set on

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Industrial Dazor Floating Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 30 in W 22 in L 30 in

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Industrial Dazor Floating Articulated Desk Lamp

By Dazor

Located in Lafayette, IN

This lamp is a timeless piece of Mid-Century Modern Industrial Design and features the hard-to-find

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Chapman Lighting 1940s Brushed Brass and Ebonized Metal Articulated Desk Lamp

Sold

H 20 in W 14 in D 6 in

Chapman Lighting 1940s Brushed Brass and Ebonized Metal Articulated Desk Lamp

By Chapman Manufacturing Company

Located in San Francisco, CA

a quality lamp made by Chapman Manufacturing Company, USA, the swivel shade fitted with a standard

Category

Vintage 1940s American Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Articulated desk lamp in chrome metal by André Lavigne for Aluminor 1960.

Sold

H 27.56 in W 29.53 in D 5.91 in

Articulated desk lamp in chrome metal by André Lavigne for Aluminor 1960.

By Aluminor, André Lavigne

Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR

Superb old desk lamp. A fixed foot on which an arm adjustable in height and length crosses, at the

Category

Vintage 1960s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Articulated green desk lamp from Aluminor, France, 1980s

Sold

H 20.87 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in

Articulated green desk lamp from Aluminor, France, 1980s

By Aluminor

Located in Lyon, FR

Cute articulated desk lamp from the 1980s, made by Aluminor, in France. Green lacquered metal

Category

Vintage 1980s French Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Pair Articulated Chrome & Spun Aluminum Desk Lamps

Sold

H 20 in Dm 6.5 in

Pair Articulated Chrome & Spun Aluminum Desk Lamps

Located in Chicago, IL

Chromed steel and spun aluminum shade articulated desk lamps with double sprung arms. In the style

Category

Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Modernist Desk Lamp, 1950's

Sold

H 15 in W 17 in D 10 in

Modernist Desk Lamp, 1950's

Located in Doylestown, PA

A nice solid brass articulated desk lamp in the manner of Koch and Lowy, circa 1955.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage 20th Century Pair Of Articulated Chrome Desk Lamps c.1950

Sold

H 20.87 in Dm 9.85 in

Vintage 20th Century Pair Of Articulated Chrome Desk Lamps c.1950

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A vintage 20th Century pair of classic articulated desk lamps, featuring highly polished chrome

Category

20th Century European Other Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

A Bernard Albin-Gras 205 Desk Lamp

Sold

H 17.7 in W 7 in D 11.8 in

A Bernard Albin-Gras 205 Desk Lamp

Located in Tetbury, England

An original articulated desk lamp by Grass in exceptionally original condition, very difficult to

Category

Mid-20th Century French Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

1940s Articulated German Industrial Metal Office Desk Task Lamp Patina Burgundy

Sold

H 16.15 in Dm 7.09 in

1940s Articulated German Industrial Metal Office Desk Task Lamp Patina Burgundy

Located in Sherborne, Dorset

A lovely patinated articulated desk lamp in original burgundy/aubergine coloured paint. Sat on a

Category

Vintage 1940s German Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Industrial Office Desk Lamp by Ledu, 1970s, Made in Sweden

Sold

H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in

Industrial Office Desk Lamp by Ledu, 1970s, Made in Sweden

Located in Lyon, FR

Big articulated desk lamp by Ledu, made in Sweden in the 1970s. Was a workshop lamp before. Nice

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Red Desk Lamp, 1950s

Sold

H 16.93 in Dm 14.57 in

Midcentury Red Desk Lamp, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Charming Bauhaus style articulated desk lamp with a patinated cast iron base. The shade is in

Category

Vintage 1950s French Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Eileen Gray

Sold

H 16 in W 14.5 in D 16.5 in

Eileen Gray

Located in Tetbury, England

Articulated desk lamp, Eileen Gray for Jumo of Paris.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Vintage Yellow Table Lamp, 1950s

Sold

H 8.27 in Dm 3.94 in

Vintage Yellow Table Lamp, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Small articulated desk lamp with a yellow shade mounted on a decorated glass and brass base. The

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Vintage pink table lamp, 1950s

Sold

H 17.72 in W 11.82 in D 13.78 in

Vintage pink table lamp, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Mid century pink articulated desk lamp. It can be adjusted at the shade which makes it very

Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Yellow Table Lamp, 1950s

Sold

H 14.97 in Dm 9.06 in

Vintage Yellow Table Lamp, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Midcentury yellow articulated desk lamp. It can be adjusted at the base and at the shade which

Category

Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Red Table Lamp, 1950s

Sold

H 7.88 in Dm 3.55 in

Vintage Red Table Lamp, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Small articulated desk lamp with a red aluminum shade mounted on a decorated brass base. Good

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Damiano Alberti for Ycami Collection Articulated Lamp

Sold

H 15 in W 5 in D 6 in

Damiano Alberti for Ycami Collection Articulated Lamp

By Ycami Collection

Located in Brooklyn, NY

For your consideration is this 1990s post-modern articulated desk lamp by Damiano Alberti for Ycami

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

English Brass Desk Lamp

Sold

H 13.78 in W 9.26 in D 5.91 in

English Brass Desk Lamp

Located in Southampton, GB

A heavy gauge brass, articulated desk lamp. Nice patina coming through on the brass. Sold wired and

Category

Early 20th Century English Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Articulated Hooded Mercury Glass Desk Lamp

Sold

H 27 in W 7 in D 20 in

Articulated Hooded Mercury Glass Desk Lamp

By X-Ray Lamp Company

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is a solid workbench task lamp. The base is solid iron and does not want to be tipped over

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Glass

Articulated Brass Desk Lamp

Sold

H 22 in Dm 8 in

Articulated Brass Desk Lamp

Located in Culver City, CA

Brass construction with ebonised wood detail on base.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

1920s Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp

Sold

H 19.69 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in

1920s Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR

1920s Articulated Industrial Desk Lamp

Category

Vintage 1920s American Industrial Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Italian Articulated 1950s Desk Lamp

Sold

H 13 in W 5.25 in D 7 in

Italian Articulated 1950s Desk Lamp

Located in Montclair, NY

An Italian 1950s desk table lamp. Shade and base in an ivory enamel. Articulated brass support rod

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Streamlined Articulated Metal Desk Lamp

Sold

H 20 in W 6.5 in D 29 in

Streamlined Articulated Metal Desk Lamp

Located in Atlanta, GA

Streamlined metal desk lamp, European, circa 1950s. It has an articulated arm and shade and can be

Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Steel

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By Stilnovo

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Adjustable wall light by Stilnovo, 1950s In excellent original condition. To be wired to country specification. Dimensions: W 6.5cm x D 46cm Shade width is 6.5cm at widest part.

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Articulated Desk Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the articulated desk lamp you’re looking for. A articulated desk lamp — often made from metal, brass and steel — can elevate any home. Find 78 options for an antique or vintage articulated desk lamp now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect articulated desk lamp — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A articulated desk lamp, designed in the Mid-Century Modern, Industrial or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made articulated desk lamp over the years, but those crafted by Louis Poulsen, Jielde and Andre Mounique are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Articulated Desk Lamp?

The average selling price for a articulated desk lamp at 1stDibs is $1,230, while they’re typically $305 on the low end and $6,500 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Table-lamps for You

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.