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 München, BY
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
$571 / set
H 4.34 in Dm 3.94 in
Set of 6 Vintage Champagne Bowls Stainless Steel with Golden Stem, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Set of 6 Vintage Champagne Bowls - Stainless Steel with Golden Stem, Timeless Design Italy 1970s - Gift Idea Elegant, Retro Table Decoration This elegant set of 6 vintage champagne ...
Stainless Steel
$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
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
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 9.75 in D 9.75 in
Mid Century Vintage Cathrineholm Enamelware Nesting Bowls Set of 3 Holland
By Catherineholm
Located in San Diego, CA
These Cathrineholm nesting bowls were manufactured in Holland for Graham Kerr, aka, The Galloping Gourmet. They are an avocado green color with a black edge that emphasizes the disti...
Metal, Enamel
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
$4,025 / 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
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
$144Sale Price|50% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 7.88 in
Set of Five Mid-Century Modern Rose Glass Bowls from the 1950s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful set of five bowls produced in pressed glass in a lovely rose colored glass. The set can be used in the house, or in kitchen for daily use. Marked as Made in Czechoslovakia....
Glass
$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
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
$239 / set
H 3.15 in Dm 8.27 in
Italian modern set of brass cups or bowls with teaspoons and ladle, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of brass cups or bowls with teaspoons and ladle, 1970s. Set of brass fruit salad cups, composed of a larger bowl and six smaller ones, complete with six teaspoons ...
Brass
$478 / set
H 4.53 in Dm 8.67 in
Italian mid-century modern metal hemisphere serving bowls by Danese, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern metal hemisphere serving bowls by Danese, 1970s Set of 4 metal hemisphere bowls with internal chrome finish and external satin finish. These cups, thanks to their different sizes, can be inserted inside each other. They can be used both as a table service for aperitifs and as a pocket emptier. Produced by Danese in 1970s. Vintage condition, they show signs of aging. In patina. Measurements in cm 8x4h 15.5x7.5h 19.5x10h 22x11.5h These fantastic vintage bowls...
Metal
Sold
H 1.97 in Dm 8.08 in
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Brass Bowl by Ingo Maurer for Design M, 1970s
By Design M, Ingo Maurer
Located in München, BY
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...