Gordon Martz and Jane Martz were prominent designers and creators of simple, elegant, handcrafted ceramic goods. Their vintage mid-century modern designs for table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers and pendants are daring but relaxed and make for versatile additions to any space.
Jane Martz’s grandmother established the family-owned American lampshades company Marshall Studios in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922. Jessie “Muz” Marshall produced hand-painted lampshades out of her home, then expanded to include lamp bases made of wood. The business later moved to Veedersburg. After studying at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Jane and Gordon joined the company in the early 1950s and stepped in to run Marshall Studios after it had been managed by Jane’s parents. Gordon and Jane instilled the brand with fresh energy and new ideas. They introduced innovative modernist stoneware lamps, decorative accessories and more that became immediately popular with new homeowners of the era. Later, there was a return to lamp bases made solely of wood, and floor lamps, bookends and tables with tile tops appeared in the company catalogs.
The Marshall Studios M101 lamp was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Good Design” exhibit in 1953, which also featured the work of other mid-century luminaries such as Jens Risom, Paul McCobb, George Nelson and more.
Gordon and Jane explored color and texture at the company during the 1950s and ‘60s and continued the rich legacy of craftsmanship for which Marshall Studios had become known. The manufacturer secured government contracts and their works were featured in Interiors magazine. Etchings and other decoration continued to be done by hand, and Jane eventually also took an interest in the fabric and textiles used to hand-cover the paper shades, producing a complementary line of hand-woven pillows and other goods.
Find vintage Gordon Martz lighting, tables and ceramics on 1stDibs.
$1,500 / item
Selection of Midcentury Ceramic Lamps
By Gordon Martz, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Lamps, circa 1950s - 1960s. They are priced at $1500 each. The price noted and measurements noted include the shade. They are all rewi...
Metal
One of a Kind Ceramic Lamp Base Signed by Dalo
By Dalo
Located in Paris, FR
Hand-sculpted ceramic lamp base or sculpture with 3 faces One of a kind stoneware piece glazed in satined black enamel signed by the French ceramicists Dalo The height dimension is...
Ceramic
$2,900 / item
H 23 in W 10 in D 10 in
Pair of Dupont Table Lamps - Contemporary Handmade Ceramic, postmodern sculpture
By Calyer Ceramics
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind ceramic lamps, thrown on the potters wheel and assembled by hand. The lamp base is comprised of three different clay bodies and features a ...
Brass
Large One of a Kind Black Ceramic Lamp Base Signed by Dalo
By Dalo
Located in Paris, FR
Large hand-sculpted ceramic lamp, stylized face with a round of danseurs, stoneware glazed in black enamel. One of a kind handmade piece signed by the French ceramicists Dalo The he...
Ceramic
Pair Of White Ceramic Lamps With Raffia Shade, Italy, 1960s
Located in leucate, FR
Rare pair of table or bedside lamps, ceramic, height 40 cm. Off-white enamelled ceramic, of Italian origin, signature to be identified. Mounted with a raffia lampshade (recent prod...
Ceramic, Raffia
Ceramic Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: H around 40-50 cm tall Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment c...
Ceramic
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic Dupont Lamp
By Calyer Ceramics
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind ceramic lamp, thrown on the potters wheel and assembled by hand. The lamp base is comprised of three different clay bodies and features a raw, unglazed ceramic surface ...
Brass
Pair of Stiffel Lamps in Glazed Ceramic Bottle Form
By Stiffel
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic bottle vase form lamps on brass bases, in bone with charcoal brown striations and subtle craqueleur to glazing. Each measures 42in to top of finial 24in to top of base. Brass bases are 6 inches square and have rich patination. See original ad from a 1960 Chicago Tribune.
Brass
Pair of Silver Ceramic Strutting Cocks Lamps
Located in Hanover, MA
Magnificent pair of silver glazed ceramic lamps in the form of two roosters who look like they're about to get into an argument. The roosters themselves are 17” high x 15” long. ...
Ceramic, Wood
Large One of a Kind Ceramic Lamp Base / Sculpture Signed by Dalo
By Dalo
Located in Paris, FR
Large hand-sculpted ceramic lamp base, stylized face, stoneware glazed in satin white enamel. One of a kind handmade piece signed by the French ceramicists Dalo The height dimension ...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Lamp Italy 1960s Signed
By Aldo Londi
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi by Bitossi Signed under the base Turquoise blue and brown hand made ceramic Very good condition. Height 32 cm without s...
Ceramic
Large One of a Kind Ceramic Lamp Base "Elegante" Signed by Dalo
By Dalo
Located in Paris, FR
Hand-sculpted ceramic lamp base, stylized woman "Elegante" stoneware glazed in black enamel. One of a kind handmade piece signed by the French ceramicists Dalo The height dimension ...
Ceramic
Ceramic Table Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic table lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: around 40-50 cm tall Available in different sizes, finishes. A...
Clay
Large Martz Marshall Studios Incised Stoneware Bowl
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Round Rock, TX
A large stoneware bowl by Martz for Marshall Studios. Incised by hand with an eye-catching motif.
Ceramic
Gordon Martz Large Scale Ceramic Vessel
By Gordon Martz
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This Martz ceramic vessel in a rarely seen large scale shows off a sturdy platform base in earthenware tones with the inside of the bowl in a white glaze laced with minimal brown and...
Ceramic, Pottery
Unusual Gordon Martz Ceramic Cups
By Gordon Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting set of eight (8) ceramic cups by Gordon Martz, circa 1960s. Elegant simple form in dark espresso brown-almost black with contrasting raw natural surface on the bottom....
Exceptional Floor Lamp by Gordon Martz of Marshall Studios
By Gordon Martz
Located in NYC, NY
A ceramic and wood floor lamp by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. The lamp has an oak frame and a ceramic base with a ribbed pattern throughout. The table's surface is inl...
Large Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece by Gordon Martz
By Gordon Martz
Located in NYC, NY
An impressive size bowl with incised swirls and glazed dots that evoke the night sky, signed by master ceramicist Gordon Martz.
Ceramic