Gerald Thurston Furniture

American

As the leading designer at Lightolier during the postwar building and design boom, Gerald Thurston created his clever lighting — sleek floor lamps, table lamps and desk lamps — to suit the American lifestyles of 1950s and 1960s. His designs were at the forefront of the mid-century modern lighting revolution — like much of the visionary work being done at the time in furniture and interiors, Thurston’s fixtures are both elegant and totally innovative, reflecting the exploration of new ideas and new technology that consumed designers of the era.

Thurston eventually led a stellar team of international lighting designers at Lightolier. He was important to the pioneering East Coast–based electric lighting company, and rumor has it that because he sketched every design on craft paper, the manufacturer insured his right hand for one million American dollars.

While enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1930s, where he earned his degree in industrial design, Thurston worked as a freelance designer for the Zenith Radio Corporation. Once he graduated, he found a position at the New Metal Craft Company. There he designed custom lighting fixtures and decorative objects for architects and interior designers.

Lightolier enticed Thurston to join them in approximately 1950. That same year, New York’s Museum of Modern Art featured a green floor lamp of his in their Good Design Exhibition of 1950. The sculptural lamps that Thurston created for Lightolier are representative of his interest in Scandinavian modernist lighting as well as the revolutionary designs produced by postwar Italian companies such as Arredoluce and Arteluce. (Lightolier partnered with the latter, and Thurston found inspiration in the work of Arteluce founder Gino Sarfatti.)

During Thurston’s decades-long tenure with Lightolier, he became internationally known for his many designs. His modernist fixtures are characterized by clean lines, vibrant colors and an appealing meld of metals and rich woods. His slender-legged Lightolier Tripod floor lamp, introduced in the 1960s, garnered widespread acclaim, while his whimsical Cricket lamp, with its arthropodan shade and slim brass frame, is wholly versatile — it can be hung as a sconce or positioned on a desk and offers direct or diffused light.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Gerald Thurston lighting, decorative objects and more.

Creator: Gerald Thurston

Gerald Thurston White Candlestick Lamp with Black & White Stripe Metal Shade

$2,500

Gerald Thurston White Candlestick Lamp with Black & White Stripe Metal Shade

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier White Table Lamp with Striped Shade, 1950's. Featuring a White stem, three Brass arms, triple White enameled candlestick sockets, stenciled Black and ...

Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

Pair of Ceramic Lamps by Thurston

$3,200 / set

Pair of Ceramic Lamps by Thurston

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in New York, NY

Very stylish and sophisticated pair of ceramic lamps, designed by Gerald Thurston, for Lightolier. The ceramic body has an Aztec influence motif, each mounted on a solid wood plinth ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Mid-Century Modern Brass Tripod Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston, USA

$1,800

Mid-Century Modern Brass Tripod Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston, USA

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

Mid-century classic streamlined brass tripod floor lamp with linen shade. Some patina to brass, professionally rewired for use in the USA. Lamp uses 3 bulbs. Shade not included. Shad...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Bisque Pottery & Eliptical Black Gloss Table Lamp

$2,500

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Bisque Pottery & Eliptical Black Gloss Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Incised Black & Off White Table Ceramic Lamp. Featuring curved hourglass, pitcher form, matte Off White Bisque (5.5D) body, Black glazed oviform decora...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Rare Mid Century Modern Lightolier Fiberglass Desk Lamp Gerald Thurston 1950s

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

Rare Mid Century Modern Lightolier Fiberglass Desk Lamp Gerald Thurston 1950s

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Peoria, AZ

RARE & FABULOUS! MID CENTURY MODERN GERALD THURSTON FIBERGLASS SHADE MINIMALIST DESK LAMP! CONICAL DESIGN! CIRCA 1957 WHITE DIMENSIONS: APPROXIMATELY 22" TALL by 10" WIDE Thi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Porcelain Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, 1950s

$1,500

Porcelain Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, 1950s

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Westport, CT

Speckled porcelain and brass table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightiolier, circa 1950-1959. Completely rewired, newly white linen shade included. Other designers of the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston Pottery Table Lamp

$1,500

Gerald Thurston Pottery Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

1960s Mid-Century Modern pottery table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston. Shades for photography only.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Floor Lamp Walnut and Brass

$1,275

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Floor Lamp Walnut and Brass

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Fraser, MI

Lightolier Floor Lamp designed by Gerald Thurston. Brass stem with Walnut center cylinder. Rewired.

Category

1950s Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass, Iron and Glass Chandelier

$6,895

Large Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass, Iron and Glass Chandelier

By Gerald Thurston, Sciolari Lighting, Stilnovo, Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari

Located in Houston, TX

Large Gerald Thurston for Lightolier brass, Iron and glass chandelier. Rare large Mid-Century Modern chandelier by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. This stunning modernist chandelier...

Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

1950s Rare Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Reading Floor Lamp

$2,450

1950s Rare Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Reading Floor Lamp

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, 1950s Rare Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Adjustable Reading Floor Lamp Dimensions: 54" H x 14.5" W 21.5" D Delivery within 200 miles from San Diego CA is a...

Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gerald Thurston Canister Reflector Lamp for Lightolier

$900

Gerald Thurston Canister Reflector Lamp for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Denton, TX

Aluminum cylinder with black metal base and pleated interior by Gerald Thurston. Best used as a floor up light to create a moody ambiance or to highlight a architechual element in th...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mid Century Gerald Thurston Desk Lamp

$530

Mid Century Gerald Thurston Desk Lamp

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Classic mid-century Gerald Thurston desk lamp. Plastic vented shade sits atop a matching metal base. Plastic diffuser. Perfect addition to, n...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair Gerald Thurston Lightolier Black Iron Tripod Table Lamps with Glass Shades

$2,000 / set

Pair Gerald Thurston Lightolier Black Iron Tripod Table Lamps with Glass Shades

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier black and white table lamps, 1950s. Featuring balanced black enameled steel tripod legs, socket and neck, period white milk glass shades atop r...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Steel

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Style Brass & White Triple Candlestick Table Lamp

$2,000

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Style Brass & White Triple Candlestick Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier attributed Brass & Candlestick Table Lamp. Featuring tri curved Brass base, triple enameled White metal candlesticks, original Brass ring finial, shown...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass Sconces

$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off

Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass Sconces

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of brass double hurricane sconces by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Each solid brass sconce has a double hurricane shade, with the inner ...

Category

1950s American Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Pristine Vintage Lumilon Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,800 / set

Pair of Pristine Vintage Lumilon Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of pristine vintage Lumilon table lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Original one-piece shade-diffusers. UL listed.

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston

$875

Mid Century Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston

By Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

Tall elegant elongated table lamp having a metal base, bulbous wood body, and brass neck section. Diameter of base 7 inch x diameter of body 4.5 i...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Slender Black Table Lamp with Brass details

$1,500

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Slender Black Table Lamp with Brass details

By Gerald Thurston, Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Tall Gerald Thurston attributed Lightolier black enameled table lamp Featuring a slender all black enameled elongated metal hourglass stem, elevated above a round 7.5D Black enameled balanced base supported by a weighted Cast Iron underside. With lacquered Brass accents throughout. Original triple Ceramic sockets and finial. 23H to top of socket. Black Mesh Lamp...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,200

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Impeccable extendable arm Lumilux study lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Brushed brass base with original one-piece molded shade-diffuser in excellen...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Tall Decorative Ceramic and Brass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston

$3,200 / set

Pair of Tall Decorative Ceramic and Brass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Elegant, sculptural table lamps by Gerald Thurston -- cream and light taupe ceramic form with patinated brass base and accents. Each lamp features a triple socket, serving as an ampl...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston Porcelain Lamps

$4,500 / set

Gerald Thurston Porcelain Lamps

By Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

Mid-Century Classic ivory glazed porcelain lamps with speckled horizontal stripes resting on matte finished bases with an aged brass band. Lamps have been rewired for use in the USA ...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,200

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Impeccable extendable arm Lumilux study lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Brushed brass base with original one-piece molded shade-diffuser in excellen...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,200

Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Impeccable extendable arm Lumilux study lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Brushed brass base with original one-piece molded shade-diffuser in excellen...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Articulating Desk Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,200

Mid Century Articulating Desk Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Bedford Hills, NY

Iconic desk lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, all original, no missing parts or dents, great patina on brass, minor flaking on weighted handle, please see photos. Work...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

1960 3 Lightolier ' Claremont ' 8 arms chandeliers , USA

$2,500 / item

1960 3 Lightolier ' Claremont ' 8 arms chandeliers , USA

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier, Carl Moser 1

Located in St- Leonard, Quebec

Rare 8 arms brass plated chandelier from the ' Claremont ' series from Lightolier . Gold dust and Star pattern printed on candelabra glass cup outlined with a white motif . Tea...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall Sconce

$1,400

Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall Sconce

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid-Century Modern, task lamp, wall sconce by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features an adjustable, 5.5 inch diameter, painted metal shade on a brass stem and wall plate with an acc...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Modern Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Articulating Desk Lamp

$1,500

Mid Century Modern Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Articulating Desk Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Bedford Hills, NY

A masterful blend of utility and sculpture, this desk lamp was designed by the influential American modernist Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. The piece features a striking matte blac...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

Stained Oak Tripod Table Lamp with Diffuser and Shade by Gerald Thurston

$1,400

Stained Oak Tripod Table Lamp with Diffuser and Shade by Gerald Thurston

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Atomic-style table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston, circa 1950s. Sculptural tripod base in stained oak with brass stem and original milk glass diffuser. The vintage linen shade show...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston Parabolic Fin Table Lamp, Brass & Ceramic, Mid-Century

$1,675

Gerald Thurston Parabolic Fin Table Lamp, Brass & Ceramic, Mid-Century

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century (1950s) Parabolic Fin brass and ceramic table lamp with a tapered square shape (GERALD THURSTON FOR LIGHTOLIER)

Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Desk / Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Complete and Original.

$2,850

Desk / Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Complete and Original.

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Kansas City, MO

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier desk / table lamp. All original enameled aluminum shade and base with original diffuser and brass stem. The diffuser is complete and in great conditio...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Early Floor Lamp in Black Lacquered Metal and Brass by Gerald Thurston, 1950's

$11,033

Early Floor Lamp in Black Lacquered Metal and Brass by Gerald Thurston, 1950's

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Early Floor Lamp in Black Lacquered Metal, Brass and Original Shade by Gerald Thurston, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Black lacquered metal, brass and original shade Styl...

Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Gerald Thurston Mid Century White Aluminum and Brass Table Lamp

$395

Gerald Thurston Mid Century White Aluminum and Brass Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Gerald Thurston Mid Century White Aluminum and Brass Table Lamp Original Plastic Shade and Dimmer This piece measures: 11 wide x 11 deep x 22 inches high and weighs 3.6 pounds Ex...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Thomas Moser floor lamp by Lightolier

$2,400

Thomas Moser floor lamp by Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Highland, IN

This great floor lamp is architectural with a restrained playfulness, it employs innovative materials (perforated steel) and reflected light for a nice mix of direct and indirect ill...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Hourglass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston

$3,800 / set

Mid-Century Modern Hourglass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Pair of striking, Mid-Century Modern, table lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier feature brown and beige ceramic hourglass bodies with brass accents - base, neck, pull chains and ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Polychrome Metal Adjustable Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$4,850

Polychrome Metal Adjustable Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Montreal, QC

Polychrome metal floor lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Includes an upward reflector and an adjustable reading lamp.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Metal

1950s Mid Century Honeycomb Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,950

1950s Mid Century Honeycomb Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Designed by the renowned Gerald Thurston and manufactured by Lightolier in the 1950s, this exquisite mid-century table lamp is a bold fusion of sculptural form and functional design....

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gerald Thurston furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gerald Thurston furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gerald Thurston were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Robert Sonneman, Stiffel, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. Prices for Gerald Thurston furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $395 and can go as high as $7,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,200.