German designer Ingo Maurer (1932–2019) was known as a “poet of light” for how he artfully created table lamps and floor lamps that married form and function, from bulbs that soared on goose-feather wings to chandeliers that suspended bursts of shattered tableware like a slow-motion explosion.
One of Maurer's first lamps, a 1966 design that was merely called Bulb, nested a lightbulb inside a larger glass lightbulb shape, drawing on his connection to German art traditions of reductive forms as well as Pop art and the playful aesthetics of 1960s pop culture. The success of Bulb — its fans included American design icon Charles Eames — led to the founding of his own company to produce this provocative fixture as well as other fantastic lighting designs. Later, for Maurer’s bestselling Uchiwa lamps of the 1970s, the designer found inspiration in Japanese fans made of bamboo and lacquered rice paper.
Born on the island of Reichenau in Lake Constance in southern Germany, Maurer apprenticed at a newspaper before moving to the United States in 1960. In New York and California, Maurer initially worked as a graphic designer for IBM and elsewhere before returning to Germany with his then-wife, designer Dorothee Becker, in 1963. The experience that Maurer gained in typography and bold forms was regularly expressed in the lamps crafted by his company, which was called Design M before the name was changed to Ingo Maurer GmbH. The lighting manufacturer is still based in Munich.
Some of Maurer’s pieces were minimal, such as a ceramic table lamp in 1996 he called Broken Egg, which radiated light from a fissure in an oblong shape, while others were monumental, such as the designer’s last completed installation — a colossal chandelier composed of over 3,000 silver-plated leaves — in Munich’s Residenztheater. Maurer was always at the forefront of lighting innovations, exploring holograms, LEDs and OLEDs in his projects. Through his company, the venturesome Maurer also promoted inventive new designers, including Moritz Waldemeyer, whose My New Flame (2012) imagined a futuristic candle with LEDs.
Ingo Maurer GmbH continues to produce the late designer’s distinctive table lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures, including the imaginative Bulb that started it all.
Find vintage Ingo Maurer Uchiwa lamps and other lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Set of Two Rare Mid-Century Modern Alu Bowls by Ingo Maurer for Design M 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, Design M
Located in Munich, DE
Extremely rare and elegant Mid-Century Modern bowls by Ingo Maurer for Design M, Germany, 1970s. Executed in aluminium. Measurements: Ø 8.67 in. (22 cm) H 1.58 in. (4 cm) We...
Aluminum
$829 / set
H 4.14 in Dm 8.67 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Large Bowls by Albert Thiry, 1960s
By Albert Thiry
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French ceramic large bowls by Albert Thiry, 1960s Two beautiful glazed ceramic bowls. One has a blue thistle p...
Enamel
$4,148 / set
H 1.38 in W 19.69 in D 5.91 in
Fornasetti Fish Bowls Set on Tray, Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
By Fornasetti
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four Fornasetti Fish Bowls on a Tray, Italy 1950s. The measurements given apply to the tray. One bowl measures 11 x 14 x 3 cm.
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Set of 3 Hand Crafted Bowls by Giancarlo Desimone
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Special set of 3 hand made and hand decorated bowls by Giancarlo Desimone a student of Pablo Picasso. Vibrant colors and bold strokes a trademark style of Desimone. Priced and sold a...
Clay, Terracotta
Vintage Ceramic La Primula Italian Serving Bowls - Set of 4 1970s Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of four vintage ceramic serving bowls or mixing bowls by La Primula. This set will be a great way to add Italian flair to your next gathering! This set includes four bowls, one...
Ceramic, Paint
On Hold|$827 / set
H 5.12 in Dm 9.06 in
Set of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Bowls by Albert Thiry, 1960s, era Blin
By Albert Thiry
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic bowl by Albert Thiry, 1960s, era Blin Beautiful glazed ceramic salad bowl with an engraved and hand-painted red thistle flower. Chalky white backgr...
Enamel
$100Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 7 in D 5.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Eva Zeisel for Hallcraft Porcelain Gravy Bowls
By Eva Zeisel
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful design and prints, by Eva Zeisel for Hallcraft porcelain bowls can be sold separate buyer can buy 1,2 or 3 great conditions no chips or cracks.
Porcelain
Set of 7 Mid-Century Ceramic Bowls
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Ceramic Bowls, Set of 7, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Mid-Century Modern Item Type: Vin...
Ceramic
$1,845 / set
H 2.25 in Dm 5 in
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Hand-Blown Murano Millifiori & 24K Gold Fleck Bowls
By Schiavon
Located in New York, NY
This rare and stunning Set of 8 Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Millifiori & 24 Karat Gold Flecked Glass Bowls are Signed Schiavon and originate from Italy, Circa 1960. Featu...
Gold
$3,600 / set
H 6.7 in Dm 11.82 in
Lot of 10 Mid Century Swedish Pine Bowls, Crafted by Holmbergs & Varnamo, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A large lot of 10 Swedish bowls in beautifully patinated pine. They vary a bit in size and shape, each with its own characteristics, stunning both together and apart. Some are desi...
Pine
Set of 2 Teleflora Blown Art Glass Serving Bowls, USA, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
This stunning set of two Teleflora blown art glass serving bowls, crafted in the USA during the 1970s, captures the vibrant spirit of mid-century design. Featuring bold orange hues t...
Art Glass
Arcoroc, France. Two octagonal bowls in black glass. 1970s/1980s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Arcoroc, France. Two octagonal bowls in black glass. 1970s/1980s. Marked. Perfect condition. Dimensions: Diameter 17.5 cm x Height 7.5 cm.
Glass
Lino Sabbatini Rare Set of Graduated Round Silvered Bowls, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
Lino Sabbatini ( 1925-2016 ) A rare set of three graduated round silvered bowls with decorated rim. Signed Italy, 1970's Dimensions: Large: 12.5 Ø, medi...
Metal
Sold
H 1.97 in Dm 8.08 in
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Brass Bowl by Ingo Maurer for Design M, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, Design M
Located in Munich, DE
Extremely rare and elegant Mid-Century Modern brass bowl by Ingo Maurer for Design M, Germany, 1970s. Executed in solid brass. Good original overall condition. Wear consistent ...
Brass
Set of 1960s Maurer & Knuth Trays
By Ingo Maurer
Located in London, GB
Practical and chic double-sided set of four chrome and red resin stacking trays by German designers Ingo Maurer and Eckard Knuth. Largest tray: 12.25 inch diameter. Smallest tray: 6...