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.
Gordon Martz Tile Mosaic Round Top Coffee Table on Tapered Dowel Legs MINT!
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Gordon Martz Tile Mosaic Mid-Century Modern round top coffee table on tapered dowel legs MINT!.
Ceramic, Chestnut
Classical Italian Pietra Dura Stone Mosaic Round Table Top
Located in Marbella, ES
Classical Italian Pietra Dura compass rose mosaic round white marble tabletop handcrafted with serpentine green, Alicante red, Nero black, travertine and o...
Marble
Gordon & Jane Martz Oval Mosaic Tile Coffee Table
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oval coffee table by Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. The table top is inlaid with round ceramic coin tiles in tan and cream tones. The frame of the table and four legs are ...
Ceramic, Oak
Gordon and Jane Martz Round Oak Coffee Table with Mosaic Tile
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round coffee table by Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios c.1960s, USA. The table top is inlaid with oatmeal toned square and triangular ceramic glazed tiles in a geometric patt...
Ceramic, Oak
$2,190
H 21.66 in Dm 39.77 in
French Provincial Mahogany with Stenciled Leather Top Round Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome mid-century round green leather top mahogany coffee table with fluted legs. The table features a classic period style with a beautiful inlaid leather top and gold stenciling...
Leather, Wood
$2,400
H 16 in W 36 in D 36 in
Martz Square Coffee Table in White Ceramic Circular Tiles Set in Charcoal Grout
By Gordon Martz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jane and Gordon Martz sublime ceramic artists, who created some of the most beautiful ceramic pieces of art in the midcentury period. This table is finished in oak with white ceramic...
Ceramic
French Provincial Bouillotte Mahogany with Marble Top Round Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome mid-century round green leather top mahogany coffee table with fluted legs. The table features a classic period style with a beautiful inlaid leather top and gold stenciling...
Leather, Wood
Gordon Martz Style Side Table with Asymmetrical Ceramic Tile Top
By Gordon Martz
Located in Dallas, TX
Super cute ceramic tile top side table in black and white tiles, wooden stem and black painted metal base. Fits anywhere you need a side table.
Metal
Gordon & Jane Martz Style Tile Mosaic Side Table
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Gordon Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round side table in the style of Gordon & Jane Martz. The table top is inlaid with ceramic tiles in a geometric pattern. The tiles are shades of caramel and butterscotch. The frame, ...
Ceramic, Walnut
Gordon & Jane Martz Round Coffee Table with Mosaic Tile Top
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round coffee table by Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. The table top is inlaid with round ceramic coin tiles in cream tones. The frame of the table and four legs are sol...
Ceramic, Oak
$3,250 / item
H 18 in Dm 38 in
Round Wood Coffee Table with Turned Legs by Alabama Sawyer, Velma Table
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
The round Velma coffee table gives a nod of respect to Mid Century Modern inspired design and craft. The sleek maple legs are hand turned on the lathe. Discreet walnut details combin...
Oak
Gordon & Jane Martz Green Speckle Glazed Coin Tile Coffee Table
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular coffee table by Gordon & Jane Martz. The table top is inlaid with green ceramic coin tiles. The frame, base and pedestal of the table are all solid walnut. Dimensions 49...
Ceramic, Walnut
Mosaic Tile Top Table with Brass Legs
Located in New York, NY
Circular mosaic tile top table with squared brass legs and stretcher. The top has a Roman Key motif in brass tone tile with metallic and off whit...
Brass
Gordon Martz Tile Top Dining Table
By Gordon Martz
Located in Dallas, TX
A large tile top dining / game table designed by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios.
Ceramic
Ceramic tile top dining table by Gordon Martz
By Gordon Martz
Located in Dallas, TX
A large dining/center table with ceramic tile top designed by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios.
Ceramic Pebble Tile Top Dining Table by Gordon Martz
By Gordon Martz
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare large size ceramic pebble tile top breakfast / dining / game table designed by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Solid walnut base and column surrounding steel struct...