Cedric Hartman stated that the sole purpose of his floor lamps and table lamps was illumination, not noticeability. The result of this function-first philosophy has been a masterful collection of subtle mid-century modern and modern lighting fixtures that shine with simple but undeniable beauty. Hartman brought the same approach to his sleek and elegant side tables, which can blend into space while elevating an interior.
Hartman was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1929. In the late 1940s, he began a career as an architect; it was put on pause while he served in the Korean War. After the war, he spent time in Chicago, Paris and New York studying art and design. Hartman moved to Omaha in the early 1960s and started designing lamps. His dream was to create a lamp that would provide ample lighting without any imposition on a room.
Hartman’s ambitions were realized in 1966 with the design of the 1UWV floor lamp. While sleek lamp designs are easier to make today due to LED technology, Hartman’s lamp was revolutionary for its time. The slim and unimposing metal lamp with its thin triangular shade contrasted with the bold, bulky and decorative lights of the day.
The 1UWV lamp was an instant success. It was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and displayed in its 1967 “Recent Acquisitions: Design Collection” exhibition. It also became a favorite of architects and decorators and was featured prominently in design magazines.
Hartman created many more floor and table lamp designs, including the 1H floor lamp, another low-profile luminaire added to the Museum of Modern Art collections. In 1968, Hartman began designing sofas, and in 1973, he branched out into table design.
While the 1UWV floor lamp remains his most famous work, Hartman’s illustrious furniture career spans over 40 years of thoughtful design.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Cedric Hartman lighting and tables.
$3,000 / item
Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, the chrome desk lamp by Cedric Hartman is an enduring design classic. The modernist lamp features a triangular chrome shade attached to a curved stem that offe...
Chrome
$8,500 / set
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully patinated pair of bronze/brass table lamps designed by Cedric Hartman.
Bronze
Cedric Hartman Chrome Desk Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Chicago, IL
Signed Cedric Hartman chrome desk lamp.
Chrome
$8,400 / set
Pair of Chrome Table Lamps by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A matching pair of chrome Cedric Hartman table lamps.
Chrome
$9,500 / set
H 36 in W 11 in D 13 in
Pair Vintage Cedric Hartman 'Swivel' Brass Floor Lamps Signed/Numbered
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Sharon, CT
The classic, and ultra high quality adjustable (36" to 42") floor lamps, with lucite dimmer switch.
Brass
Chrome Cedric Hartman Adjustable Floor Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s chrome Cedric Hartman adjustable floor lamp. Lamp is sign and numbered. In original vintage condition, chrome show minor wear consistent with age. Wired for US. New clear wi...
Chrome
Pair of Cedric Hartman Low Profile MOMA Floor Luminaire 1H, 1966
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Cedric Hartman Low Profile MOMA Floor Luminaire 1H, 1966 A pair of Cedric Hartman Low Profile Floor Luminaires, designed in 1966. Suitable for placement beside a chair, sofa,...
Brass, Chrome
Cedric Hartman Stainless Steel Parallel Bar Pharmacy Floor Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, the stainless floor lamp by Cedric Hartman is an enduring design classic. The modernist floor lamp features a stainless steel dome shade, that offers focused t...
Stainless Steel
Cedric Hartman Parallel Bar Brass and Stainless Steel Floor Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this brass and stainless steel floor lamp by Cedric Hartman is an enduring design classic. The modernist lamp features a triangular brass shade attached to two...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$15,000 / set
H 32 in W 11 in D 16 in
Pair of Cedric Hartman T Base Parallel Bar Brass and Stainless Steel Floor Lamps
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, the brass and stainless steel floor lamps by Cedric Hartman are an enduring design classic. The modernist lamps feature triangular brass shades attached to two...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Casella Polished Brass Desk Lamp / Cedric Hartman
By Casella Lighting
Located in Chicago, IL
Casella Polished brass desk lamp. The switch cover appears to be missing. Will need to replace the switch cover. in order to turn the white stem knob I did check and the white stem knob does turn and turn on the lamp correctly. manner of Cedric Hartman & Karl Spinger
Brass
Pair of Cedric Hartman Brass and Stainless Steel Floor Lamps
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, these brass and stainless steel floor lamps by Cedric Hartman are an enduring design classic. The modernist floor lamps feature triangular brass shades attache...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Cedric Hartman Parallel Bar Brass and Stainless Steel Floor Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this brass and stainless steel floor lamp by Cedric Hartman is an enduring design classic. The modernist lamp features a triangular brass shade attached to two...
Brass, Stainless Steel
1H Floor Lamp by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in New York, NY
1H Floor Lamp by Cedric Hartman made in the USA, 1968. The lamp is comprised of brass and chrome-plated metal.
Brass, Chrome
Cedric Hartman Model 1UWV Chrome Floor Lamps - Pair, Adjustable
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A pair of mid century modern chrome floor lamps by Cedric Hartman, model 1UWV. Clean, functional design with adjustable height and directional shades for focused reading light. Poli...
Chrome
Cedric Hartman Floor Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Miami, FL
Cedric Hartman Bronze finish floor lamp.
Brass, Bronze
Nickel Plated Desk Lamp by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A nickel plated desk lamp designed by Cedric Hartman.
Nickel
CEDRIC HARTMAN Counter Balance Brass Desk LAMP
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Vintage CEDRIC HARTMAN Counter Balance Brass Desk Lamp Made in United States, Omaha c. 1970s–80s. This finely crafted piece features a polished brass counterweight base, arched brass...
Brass, Chrome
Counterweight Table Lamp by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in New York, NY
A counterweighted brass desk lamp having a rounded shade and curved chromed arm. The lamp rotates on a round nylon base with a suspended counterweight supporting the shade.
Brass
Cedric Hartman Patinated Brass Desk / Table Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A patinated brass desk lamp with pivoting hood and rotating base designed by Cedric Hartman.
Brass
Sold
H 14.25 in W 5.5 in D 24 in
Early Production Cedric Hartman 5DST Counterbalance Table Lamp in Solid Brass
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Oakland, CA
Early production circa 1992 Cedric Hartman 5DST table handcrafted out of solid brass and made in the United States, Hartman's designs are in the permanent collection of the MoMA NY. ...
Brass
Cedric Hartman Brass Counterweight Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in New York, NY
A genius counterweighted chrome desk lamp having a rounded shade and curved chromed arm. The lamp rotates on a round nylon base with a suspended counterweight supporting the shade.
Brass, Chrome
Cedric Hartman Brass Desk Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1970s, the brass desk lamp by Cedric Hartman is an enduring design classic. The modernist lamp features a domed oval brass shade attached to a curved stem that offers focused task lighting. The arched brass pole terminates into a brass v...
Brass
Sold
H 15 in W 6.5 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Brass Counterbalance Desk Lamp by Cedric Hartman, 1990s
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid Century Modern Brass Counterbalance Desk Lamp by Cedric Hartman, 1990s Counterbalance desk lamp, USA 1990s. Brass, acrylic, single socket....
Brass
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps by Cedric Hartman
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully patinated pair of bronze/brass table lamps designed by Cedric Hartman.
Brass, Bronze
Cedric Hartman Table Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A chrome plated articulating desk lamp designed by Cedric Hartman.
Chrome
Cedric Hartman Chrome Table Desk Lamp, 1975
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Chicago, IL
Cedric Hartman chrome table desk lamp, 1975.
Chrome
Cedric Hartman Desk Lamp
By Cedric Hartman
Located in Dallas, TX
A Cedric Hartman table / desk lamp with brushed finish and dimmable switch.
Metal