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.
Ingo Maurer Uchiwa Rice Paper and Bamboo Wall Light
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Chicago, IL
The Uchiwa II wall lamp by Ingo Maurer is an elegant example of 1970s design, with a structure that combines natural materials and modernity. The metal and bamboo are harmoniously co...
Bamboo, Paper
Pair of original 1960s Space Age wall lamps by Ingo Maurer, model Pox
By Ingo Maurer, M Design
Located in München, BY
Pair of original 1960s Space Age wall lamps by Ingo Maurer, model Pox. Manufactured by M-Design. Made in Germany. Chrome-plated metal frame. Polished aluminum shades. Height adjusta...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Uchiwa Ingo Maurer Wall Lamp for M Design Germany 1970 s
By Ingo Maurer, Design M
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Uchiwa wall lamp were handcrafted from bamboo, wicker and Japanese rice paper. Ingo Maurer's interest in paper for lampshade was linked to his interest in Japan. From 1973 to 1975, h...
Bamboo, Paper
1 'of 2' 1967 Germany Ingo Maurer 'Pollux' Wall Sconce & Table Lamp
By Ingo Maurer, Design M
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant minimalist adjustable chromed wall sconce and table lamp. Model 'Pollux' designed 1967 by Ingo Maurer, the 'Poet of Light' and executed by his own company, M. Design, Munich ...
Brass, Chrome
Set of 2 " Uchiwa" wall lamps USA 1977
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Forest, BE
Designed by Ingo Maurer in the 1970s and commercialized in 1977, the “Uchiwa” wall lamps reflect the designer’s pursuit of a softer, warmer light. As he told The New York Times in 19...
Bamboo
Pair of Large Organic Uchiwa Wall Sconces by Ingo Maurer, Germany, 1973
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Pair of Large Organic Uchiwa Wall Sconces by Ingo Maurer, Germany, 1973 Two pieces of big vintage organic Uchiwa fan lamps with metal holder for wall hanging. Designed from Ingo Mau...
Bamboo, Paper
Wall Lamp "Uchiwa" by Ingo Maurer for M-Design, Germany, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Vienna, AT
Iconic Uchiwa wall lamp designed by Ingo Maurer in the 1970s for M-Design, Germany. Crafted from rice paper and bamboo, this sculptural light is inspired by traditional Japanese fan...
Bamboo, Paper
Uchiwa Wall Lights by Ingo Maurer for M Design, Germany, 1970s
By M Design, Ingo Maurer
Located in amstelveen, NL
A pair of Uchiwa III wall lights by Ingo Maurer for Design M, 1970s, Germany. Inspired by traditional Japanese fans. Crafted from bamboo and natural fan material with a warm lacque...
Bamboo, Paper
$324 / item
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer Delight
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Model: Delight Designer: Frans van Nieuwenborg, Martijn Wegman (1980) Delight by Ingo Maurer is a heat-resistant fiberglass fabric illuminated by a bulb. Ingo Maurer’s sense of humo...
Fabric
1967 Germany Ingo Maurer 'Pollux' Wall Sconce & Table Lamp, Set of 2
By Design M, Ingo Maurer
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant pair of minimalist adjustable chromed wall sconces and table lamps. Model 'Pollux' designed 1967 by Ingo Maurer, the 'Poet of Light' and executed by his own company, M. Desig...
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Vintage Uchiwa Ingo Maurer Table or Wall Lamps for M Design Germany 70s
By Design M, Ingo Maurer
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Uchiwa lamps were handcrafted from bamboo, wicker and Japanese rice paper. Ingo Maurer's interest in paper for lampshades was linked to his interest in Japan. From 1973 to 1975, he p...
Bamboo
Rare Large Uchiwa "Yotsuba I" Wall or Ceiling Light by Ingo Maurer for Design M
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Warsaw, PL
An extremely rare, large and iconic “Yotsuba I” lamp by Ingo Maurer, Germany, 1973. This sculptural piece is crafted from hand-woven bamboo rice paper fans arranged in an overlapping...
Iron
Pair of Uchiwa Wall Lights III by Ingo Maurer for Deisgn M, Germany, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Warsaw, PL
Pair of iconic Uchiwa Wall Lights by Ingo Maurer for Design M, Germany, 1970s. Executed in bamboo and rice paper fans. Bulb instalation: each 1 x 100 Wattage ( E 27/ E26) for standa...
Cotton, Bamboo, Paper
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer MoodMoon Square 75×75 cm - 29.5×29.5 inch
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: MOODMOON – Square 75 × 75 cm Designer: Sebastian Hepting (2021) MOODMOON is a poetic fusion of LED technology and Japanese paper craftsmanship. Designed by...
Paper
Italian modern wall lamp Uchiwa by Ingo Maurer for M-Design, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, M Design
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wall lamp Uchiwa by Ingo Maurer for M-Design, 1970s Pair of wall lamps model Uchiwa in bamboo. The shade is made of lacquered rice paper. The shape is inspired by a Ja...
Bamboo, Paper
Set of 3 Postmodern German Wandering Finger Wall Lamps by Ingo Maurer, 1990s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Wandering Finger is a delicate wall lamp by the lighting designer Ingo Maurer. The materials and workmanship are of high quality, you can see the...
Metal
One for the Recession Wall Lamp by Ingo Maurer, 1985
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Weesp, NL
Rare Ingo Maurer 1985 wall lamp one for the Recession in great vintage condition as can be seen in the images. This beautiful heart will be shipp...
Metal
Christoph Matthias 'Canned Light' Pendant or Wall Lamp for Ingo Maurer
By Ingo Maurer, Christoph Matthias
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Christoph Matthias 'Canned Light' Pendant or Wall Lamp for Ingo Maurer Designed by Christoph Matthias and produced by Ingo Maurer, one of the most celebrated German lighting icons s...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Tin
Wall Lamp Scherenlampe by Ingo Maurer for Design M
By Design M, Ingo Maurer
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This rare extensible wall lamp ‘Scherenlampe’ was designed by Ingo Maurer and Dorothee Maurer-Becker in 1968 for Design M. This lamp belongs to one of the first collections that Ingo...
Metal
Ingo Maurer Uchiwa Wall Lamp, Bamboo Frame, Paper Fans, Germany, 1970
By Ingo Maurer, Design M
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Ingo Maurer (1932–2019) was one of Germany's most influential lighting designers. Renowned for his innovative and poetic approach to light, he combined traditional craftsmanship with...
Metal
Nieuwenborg & Wegman 'Delight' wall lights for Ingo Maurer - Germany 1980.
By Martijn Wegman, Frans van Nieuwenborg 1, Ingo Maurer
Located in London, GB
A playful interpretation of the humble tea towel, the Delight wall sconces were created for lighting manufacturer Ingo Maurer by Dutch designers Martijn Wegman and Frans Van Nieuwenb...
Fiberglass
Pair Of Ingo Maurer Uchiwa III Wall Lamps For M-Design, 1973
By M Design, Ingo Maurer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
IIncredible pair of Uchiwa III wall sconces designed by Ingo Maurer for M-Design, Germany 1973. The shades, made of bamboo and rice paper, give off an amazing warm diffused light. I...
Metal
Pair of "TRYBECA" Sconces by Bernhard Dessecker for Ingo Maurer, Germany 1980's
By Susanne and Bernhard Dessecker, Ingo Maurer
Located in Cork, IE
One of two pairs available! Art Deco revival meets postmodern Memphis aesthetics! With symmetrical, streamlined wings of corrugated aluminum and vibrant smaragd green elements, thes...
Aluminum
$326 / item
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer Measure Light
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: Measure Light Designer: Josua Roters (2023) Measure Light transforms a familiar everyday object into a striking wall lamp. Inspired by the form and functio...
Metal
$1,918 / item
Wall lamp LED Ingo Maurer Holonzki
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: Holonzki Designers: Eckhard Knuth, Ingo Maurer Holonzki is a captivating play on reality and illusion. A vividly iridescent bulb appears to sit perfectly ...
Metal
Wall lamp or Ceiling lamp Ingo Maurer Lucellino Doppio
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: Lucellino Doppio Designer: Ingo Maurer Lucellino Doppio combines poetry, lightness, and Ingo Maurer’s iconic design. The two bulbs with wings made of real ...
Metal
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer MoodMoon Square 105×105 cm - 41.3 × 41.3 inch
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: MOODMOON – Square 105 × 105 cm Designer: Sebastian Hepting MOODMOON merges digital lighting technology with traditional Japanese paper art. Conceived by Se...
Paper
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer MoodMoon Round ø 60 cm - 23.62 inch
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: MOODMOON – Round Ø 60 cm Designer: Sebastian Hepting MOODMOON unites the softness of traditional Japanese paper with the possibilities of modern digital li...
Paper
$1,171 / item
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer Luzy on the Wall
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: Luzy on the Wall Designer: Ingo Maurer Luzy on the Wall is a playful, unconventional wall lamp that embodies humor, poetry, and spontaneity. The lamp featu...
Metal
One For The Recession Wall Lamp In A Red Heart Shape by Ingo Maurer 1994
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hannover, DE
This is a never used lamp designed by a very known iconic designer called Ingo Maurer from German. This specific lamp was manufatured in 1994 and it is written on the package box. This wall lamp has a special known name "One for the recession...
Metal, Iron
$1,918 / item
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer Eclipse Ellipse
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Model: Eclipse Ellipse Designer: Ingo Maurer (2017) Eclipse Ellipse is designed as a wall lamp that not only illuminates but also creates shadow. When switched on, it generates grap...
Aluminum, Steel
Wall lamp Ingo Maurer MoodMoon Round ø 85 cm - 33.5 inch
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Ingo Maurer Model: MOODMOON – Round Ø 85 cm Designer: Sebastian Hepting (2021) MOODMOON blends poetry with technology, uniting traditional Japanese paper with the expressive ...
Paper