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.
Martz Marshall Studios Side Table with Tile Top
By Gordon Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and unusual side table by Gordon Martz/Marshall studios ca' 1960's. Interesting pattern of ceramic tiles encased in walnut square shaped frame. Measures 16"H, 23.75 x 23.75".
Ceramic, Walnut
Gordon & Jane Martz Style Tile Mosaic Side Table
By Gordon Martz, Gordon & Jane 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
Small Wood Top Side Table with Brass Faux Bamboo Legs
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this circa 1970s side table has a brass faux bamboo style frame and wood top. X-form stretcher. Unknown maker.
Brass
Chinese Square Side Table with Mirror Top
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant, square side table has a streamlined form that draws from traditional Chinese furniture designs. Lightweight and open, the cube-form table has slender corner legs anchor...
Mirror, Wood
$973 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Handmade Colorful Tiles Table top Side Table Caldas Square with Portuguese Tiles
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Well-known for its ceramics tradition, Portuguese tiles production dates back to 16th century. Inheriting this rich crafts knowledge, the table tops of Caldas tables are made with ha...
Metal
$2,995
H 17.75 in W 22 in D 22 in
Catalina California or Mission Arts & Crafts Style Spanish Tile Top Side Table
By Catalina Pottery
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Catalina, California, Taylor, or Mission Arts & Crafts style Spanish tile top side or end table. Comprised of a square top with four ceramic tiles inlaid in an oak frame and...
Ceramic, Oak
$4,300Sale Price|20% Off
H 58 in Dm 19 in
Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios Ceramic Tile Table Floor Lamp, 1960s
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Gordon Martz, Maria Kipp, Marshall Studios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classy 1960s stained oak floor lamp with built-in ceramic tile side table by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios is in incredible original vintage condition with a beauti...
Ceramic, Oak
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.25 in W 31 in D 18.75 in
Handsome John Wisner Ficks Reed Asian Modern Rattan Bamboo Tile Top Side Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome John Wisner for Ficks Reed Asian modern tile top side table. This piece features a white tile top framed with solid mahogany with applied Chinese character and fan decoratio...
Ceramic, Rattan
Robsjohn Gibbings Style Mid Century Tile Top Side Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings style mid century tile top side table This table measures: 17.5 wide x 17.5 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Ceramic, Wood
Side Table Caldas Round with Portuguese Tiles
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Well-known for its ceramics tradition, Portuguese tiles production dates back to 16th century. Inheriting this rich crafts knowledge, the table tops of Caldas tables are made with ha...
Metal
Round Drum Side Table with Starburst Top
Located in North York, ON
Round drum side table with starburst top. Featuring unique ribbed carved design and two-tone finish. Topped with a beautiful walnut color starbur...
Wood
$1,650 / set
H 15.25 in W 18 in D 18 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman Snowbell Tree Tile Top Design, Walnut Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman walnut side tables with colorful ceramic art tiles in an abstract of a Japanese Snowbell Tree. Newly refinished and reglued. No...
Ceramic, Walnut
Lucite Aluminum Base Glass Top Mid-Century Modern Studio Made Side Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Lucite aluminum and glass lamp side occasional end table. Pace collection Milo Baughman style.
Aluminum
Gordon Martz Ceramic Top Side Table
By Gordon Martz
Located in New York, NY
1960s Gordon Martz tile-top and walnut side table.
Walnut
Gordon Martz Tile-Top Side Table by Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Gorgeous walnut and inlaid tile-top side table by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. From the curated collection Space 20th Century Modern.
End Table By Gordon Martz
By Gordon Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An unusual occasional table in bleached walnut by the ceramicist Gordon Martz having an all-over pattern of cream colored circular hand made glazed ceramic tiles inset into a tear dr...
Walnut, Ceramic
Gordon Martz tile top lamp table
By Gordon Martz
Located in Chicago, IL
Walnut/tile top side table by Gordon Martz.
Wood