Used Desk Lamps
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal, Chrome
1950s French Used Desk Lamps
Brass, Metal
1920s English Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1950s French Used Desk Lamps
Bronze
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Driftwood
1930s English Industrial Used Desk Lamps
Enamel, Steel
1930s Slovak Art Deco Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Chrome
1930s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1950s American Used Desk Lamps
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal, Brass
1970s North American Other Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1920s Art Nouveau Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1940s Unknown Bauhaus Used Desk Lamps
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Brass, Steel
1960s Swiss Modern Used Desk Lamps
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-20th Century European Used Desk Lamps
Metal
Early 1900s English Used Desk Lamps
Bronze
1960s Finnish Modern Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Used Desk Lamps
Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1920s French Used Desk Lamps
Marble, Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Ceramic
1960s Used Desk Lamps
Aluminum, Nickel
1930s Austrian Art Deco Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1920s American Industrial Used Desk Lamps
Iron
Early 20th Century British Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Chrome
Early 20th Century British Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Early 20th Century British Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Early 20th Century British Used Desk Lamps
Silver Plate
1940s French Used Desk Lamps
Metal
20th Century American Art Deco Used Desk Lamps
Metal
20th Century Used Desk Lamps
Brass
1950s Modern Used Desk Lamps
1960s Italian Space Age Used Desk Lamps
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1960s American Used Desk Lamps
Brass, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1930s American Used Desk Lamps
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Aluminum, Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Steel
Late 20th Century European Minimalist Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1930s French Used Desk Lamps
Bronze
20th Century Used Desk Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal, Aluminum
1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Used Desk Lamps
Metal
1980s Dutch Post-Modern Used Desk Lamps
Plastic
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Used Desk Lamps For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
- What are desk blotters used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Desk blotters are used to protect the top of a table or desk. It helps prevent scratches and absorbs dripped or spilled ink and paint. Desk pad is another name for a blotter. You'll find a selection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Davenport desk is used for writing and is typically favored by women. The desk features a slanted top leather insert, a cupboard, slides and drawers to carry writing essentials. You’ll find a selection of antique Davenport desks on 1stDibs.
- What are table lamps used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Table lamps are often used as a reading light or for task lighting. They can also simply serve as part of a room’s decor, perhaps adding light to an area that doesn’t get any illumination from overhead lights. Shop a collection of table lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A gooseneck lamp is used for pointing illumination at a spot or subject that needs it. It can be used for night time reading, or on a larger scale, in construction sites for spot illumination. You’ll find a variety of gooseneck lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A banker’s lamp was traditionally used on bankers’ desks or in libraries or other office-type settings. The green-tinted shade helped keep the eyes feeling comfortable and protected from the glare of the bulb. Browse a collection of banker’s lamps from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a buffet lamp used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A buffet lamp can be used on a buffet, bedroom dressers, hall console tables, sofa tables, etc. They are identified by their long narrow necks and tiny shades. Find a variety of buffet lamps on 1stDibs to meet your requirements.
- What lamps do artists use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Artists can use a variety of lamps in their studios. Desk lamps with adjustable arms and shades are popular because they allow artists to direct light where they need it. Similarly, floor lamps that can be adjusted as necessary can also benefit artists. Shop a selection of lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because of their variety of sizes and range in function, console tables can easily work as a desk. Given their size and ease of mobility, a console table can be used in almost any sort of room.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.
- What is a good desk lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A 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?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021The 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?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
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. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022People began using early versions of oil lamps for spiritual purposes during ancient times. References to oil-burning lamps are found in both the Torah and the Bible. Oil lamps became popular for everyday use lighting homes and businesses in the late 19th century with the advent of the kerosene lamp. Shop a selection of antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.
- How do I use a hanging oil lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To use a hanging oil lamp, remove the oil font from the base and fill it three-quarters of the way with clear lamp oil. Return the font and close the base. Twist the knob to raise the wick until it is a little less than 0.25 inches above the burner. Light with a match or lighter. After extinguishing and allowing time for cooling, trim the burned end off of the wick. You'll find a collection of hanging oil lamps on 1stDibs.
- Are oil lamps still used?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, oil lamps are still used today. However, most people utilize oil lamps while camping or during power outages in the U.S. It is uncommon for Americans to light their homes only with oil lamps. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique oil lamps.
- How do you use a brass oil lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023How you use a brass oil lamp may vary based on the design of the piece. However, generally, you fill the lamp with vegetable, sesame or similar plant-based oil. Use tweezers to raise and lower the wick and trim away burned ends with scissors. Then, use a match to light the lamp. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oil lamps.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To paint a ceramic lamp, most experts recommend using an acrylic paint that’s specially formulated for ceramics. However, other paints can work. Consult the paint brand’s website for more information about suitable surfaces. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and modern ceramic lamps from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The safest way to burn a kerosene lamp is outdoors, but if you do want to use one inside, opt for K-1 kerosene in an indoor-specific lamp. Do not burn red kerosene in an indoor lamp because the fumes from the red dye can be toxic to inhale.
- What is the best LED desk lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021There 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The 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.
Read More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Christopher Tennant’s Lamps and Dioramas Evoke Sunny Days and Seaside Locales
The former magazine editor blends elements of the Far East and America’s eastern shores, bringing wit and delight to his handmade, upcycled designs.
Paavo Tynell’s Snowflake Chandelier Warms Up Any Room
This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.
NASA Parachutes Inspired Lighting Designer Bec Brittain’s New Collection
In "Paraciphers," now on view at Emma Scully Gallery in New York, Brittain introduces works that were more than a decade in the making.
This Handsome Leather Pendant Light Is Crafted Using Saddle-Making Techniques
The Doma by L’Aviva Home nods to Colombia’s equestrian heritage.
Celebrate Spring Year-Round with This Lush Murano-Glass Chandelier
Hand-blown glass makes the Italian fixture glow like dew-covered leaves in the sun.