Gerald Thurston Lighting

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

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 Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Tripod Floor Lamp

$1,150

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Tripod Floor Lamp

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Fraser, MI

Please feel free to reach out for accurate shipping to your location. Tripod Floor Lamp. Designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.

Category

1950s Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp

$575

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in New York, NY

Elegant and chic, quilted ceramic body with brass base and top. Excellent overall condition, slight bruise on brass base, as shown. Base accepts three bulbs to provide ample light. S...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Brass

Large Gerald Thurston For Lightolier Table Lamp

$1,200

Large Gerald Thurston For Lightolier Table Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

1950's Gerald Thurston for Lightolier ceramic and brass large table lamp. Shade for photography only.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Steel and Glass Dome Chandelier

$3,950

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Steel and Glass Dome Chandelier

By Gerald Thurston

Located in New York, NY

Original 1950s Gerald Thurston for Lightolier steel and glass chandelier chandelier. Milk glass dome shade suspends from circular steel central f...

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

Materials

Aluminum

Large Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass, Iron and Glass Chandelier

$6,895

Large Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass, Iron and Glass Chandelier

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair or Mid Century Modern Tripod Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$3,295 / set

Pair or Mid Century Modern Tripod Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Spectacular pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural tripod table lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier C1955. In amazing original condition with the original shades. Brass is still l...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Brass, Sheet 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 Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

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 Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pair of Ceramic Lamps by Thurston

$3,200 / set

Pair of Ceramic Lamps by Thurston

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

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 ...

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

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Enameled Metal and Brass Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,400

Vintage Enameled Metal and Brass Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Gerald Thurston for Lightolier table/desk lamp with oversized, fully adjustable shade (ca. 1950s, USA). Black enameled metal and plexi hood with brass stem/accents and original, plas...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

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 Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid Century Articulating Desk Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

$1,800

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass, Enamel, 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 Lightolier, Gerald Thurston, Tommi Parzinger

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...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

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 Lighting

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 Lighting

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall Sconce

$1,400

Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall Sconce

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

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 Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Modern Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Articulating Desk Lamp

$1,000

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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

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 Gerald Thurston, Lightolier

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Tulip Lamp

$1,295

Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Tulip Lamp

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Wilmington, DE

Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Tulip floor lamp. Offered is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern vintage floor lamp. The lamp is made of brass. It is in good vintage condition, has ...

Category

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

Materials

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

1950s Mid-Century Gerald Thurston for Lightolier 'Honeycomb' Ceramic Table Lamp

$1,950

1950s Mid-Century Gerald Thurston for Lightolier 'Honeycomb' Ceramic Table Lamp

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in North Hollywood, CA

An exquisite statement piece of mid-century lighting design, this vintage table lamp was designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier in the 1950s. Featuring an hourglass ceramic base ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gerald Thurston Lighting

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 Lighting

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 Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, 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 Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Gerald Thurston lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Gerald Thurston lighting 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 lighting, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original lighting 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 lighting by Robert Sonneman, Stiffel, and The Marbro Lamp Company. Prices for Gerald Thurston lighting 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.