Forward-looking architect Walter Lamb is best known for his revolutionary and widely loved patio furniture — he salvaged metal tubing from sunken ships in Pearl Harbor in the 1940s to create alluring chaise longues and other pieces for the backyard. His vintage furniture designs have been adorning patios worldwide for almost a century.
Trained as an architect at the University of California Berkeley campus, Lamb found himself in Hawaii during the 1940s. This period was a time of growth for furniture designers and manufacturers, as veterans were returning to the United States, getting married and starting families. These folks needed practical furniture for their new homes, and as the movement we now call mid-century modern took shape, imaginative architects and furniture makers would fill that need. Lamb was one such innovator.
Lamb worked the shaped tubing and fittings he’d gathered from battleship wreckage into proper frames and wrapped the structures in marine-grade cotton cording to create comfortable, element-proof outdoor furniture. Today his patio furniture has an esteemed place in the history of design. In fact, furniture enthusiasts are eager to restore and collect his iconic aged furniture rather than purchase reproductions.
Postwar California would become reputable as a manufacturing center for versatile furniture intended for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Seating, tables and other items — often made with rattan — produced by the likes of McGuire and Brown Jordan became a defining feature of organic modern living, a style that still characterizes many California interiors and influences innumerable design firms. Pasadena’s then-new Brown Jordan picked up Lamb’s designs, which eventually included dining tables, side tables and coffee and cocktail tables. And along with these furnishings, Lamb's sculptural vintage seating — his curvaceous lounge chairs and armchairs with cotton cord seats — while perfect for your fire pit, shouldn’t be relegated to outdoors-only settings.
Lamb received much acclaim for his work. The Museum of Modern Art in New York recognized his 1940s-era outdoor furniture for Brown Jordan with a design award.
On 1stDibs, find a noteworthy collection of vintage Walter Lamb furniture.
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Set with Four Rocking Chairs
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio dining set featuring a round dining table with four bronze rocking chairs designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chairs have a sculptural shape, with a singl...
Bronze
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Occasional Table, circa 1945
By Walter Lamb
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Occasional Table, circa 1945 A rare early example of Walter Lamb's work, this occasional table features his signature tubular bronze frame with a warm, natur...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Round Dining Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Square Side Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A side table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a square shape with rounded corners, supported by four legs in matching bronze. T...
Bronze
Original Vintage Walter Lamb Large Round Coffee Table
By Walter Lamb
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter lamb large round coffee table. Original textured Glass. 2 chips as noted in photos.
Brass
$6,000
Walter Lamb Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio side table designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. Bronze table frame with inset hammered glass tabletop. Suitable for outdoor use. 1950s
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round 36" Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Tubular Bronze Side Table, circa 1950s
By Walter Lamb
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rare outdoor side table by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Collectible example is from the early years of Lamb’s work with Brown Jordan, dating to the mid 1950s. Constructed of a tubul...
Bronze
$4,000 / item
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Side Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio side table designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table frame is bronze tubing with a verdigris patina with an inset hammered glass tabletop. Two curved rail...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Beach Table with Wood Top by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The WT-3715 Beach Table designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan features a tubular bronze frame and a new oak slatted wood tabletop. Recalling Lamb’s earlier work, the table has mol...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Beach Table with Wood Top by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The WT-3715 Beach Table designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan features a tubular bronze frame and a slatted wood tabletop in Philippine Mahogany. Recalling Lamb’s earlier work, the table has molded curves in the runners that act as the feet of the piece. The horizontal profile makes this table a perfect pairing for the lower profiles of the Sleigh Chair or Waikiki Lounge...
Bronze
$1,400
H 29.52 in W 31.5 in D 59 in
New Garden, Patio or Dining Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New garden, patio or dining table in wrought iron. You can choose this pattern in round or rectangular table and then, choose the top (glass, mosaic, marble, ceramic...) and color...
Wrought Iron
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Tubular Bronze Side Table, circa 1950s
By Walter Lamb
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rare outdoor side table by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Collectible example is from the early years of Lamb’s work with Brown Jordan, dating to the mid 1950s. Constructed of a tubul...
Bronze
$1,400
H 29.52 in W 31.5 in D 59 in
New Garden, Patio, Kitchen or Dining Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New garden, patio or dining table in wrought iron. You can choose this pattern in round or rectangular table and then, choose the top (glass, mosaic, marble, ceramic...) and color...
Wrought Iron
$8,800 / set
H 29 in Dm 36 in
John Risley Sculptural Patio Set with Two Lady Chairs and Wire Tulip Table 1960s
By John Risley
Located in Dallas, TX
Two solid steel lady chairs by mid-century sculptor John Risley (1919-2002). Handmade in his studio in Middletown, Ct circa 1960. Freshly powder-coated in a Calder red...
Steel
Wrought Iron Mid Century Garden Patio Set Five Pieces
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Five-piece wrought iron dining / patio set. One glass-topped table and four chairs. Painted green. Table measures: 42.5 in across.- 29-3/8 in high. - 29- 11/16 in high. With glass t...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Patio Set Vintage 1960s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming Arthur Umanoff patio set-dining table with four armchairs. Freshly powdercoated and seats reupholstered. Table measures 30" H, 42" D.
Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Poolside Cafe Dining Center Table
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Fun playful wrought iron and glass cafe, dining, center table circa 1970's. The table features a hand wrought base of solid stock with a thick plate glass top, it is in very good, or...
Wrought Iron
Black Aluminum and White Vinyl Patio Set by Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s iconic “Kantan” Patio set design by Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan. The set has be newly professionally restored. Constructed of black powder coated aluminum and white vinyl s...
Aluminum
$6,800 / set
H 29.25 in Dm 48.5 in
Silver Powder Coated Brown Jordan Patio Set with Round Table and 4 Chairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Silver Brown Jordan Florentine round patio table with 4 chairs. Professionally stripped painted and powder coated in silver. Has the original glass top . Table 48.5” Diameter 29.25”...
Aluminum
$750Sale Price|86% Off
H 29 in Dm 48 in
Round Wicker and Rattan Woven Outdoor Patio Dining Set with Glass Top, Seats 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful woven wicker, rattan, and bamboo dining set. Created from bentwood, this patio set includes four chairs and a pedestal table base with a round glass top. Each chair feature...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Glass, Wood
$3,841
H 8.67 in W 28.35 in D 15.75 in
Blue Modern Sculptural Vintage Willy Guhl Loop Coffee Table, 1995, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Vienna, AT
Blue modern vintage Loop coffee table by Willy Guhl (1915-2004). This coffee table is a futuristic beautiful coffee table or sofa table. The futurist...
Cement
$795 / set
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 48 in
5 Pc. Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Dining Set by Meadowcraft
By Meadowcraft, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic garden, patio, dinette set consisting of a dining table , and four side chairs. The table has a tempered glass top, the chairs have their original upholstered pad seats, metal e...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28.25 in W 61.5 in D 35.5 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Rectangular Patio Dining Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, supported by four hairpin legs in mat...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Rectangular Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a rectangular shape of tubular patinated bronze with rounded corners, sup...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Cafe Dining Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is has concentric bronze with radial supports and a circular bronze bas...
Bronze
Sold
H 29 in W 96 in D 36 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Rectangular Bronze Patio Dining Table with Wood Top
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive eight foot rectangular patio table designed by Walter Lamb and manufactured by Brown Jordan. The table has a slatted surface in the original weathered wood, mounted on ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Console Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio console table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, supported by bunt tubular in m...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Side Table with Travertine Top
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round patio side table designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table frame is bronze tubing with a verdigris patina. Two circular tubes are connected by three verti...
Travertine, Bronze
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Dining Table with Glass Top
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square patio table designed by Walter Lamb from the late 40s or early 50s, either predating or from the early years of his work with Brown Jordan. The table has a glass table top tha...
Bronze
Sold
H 29 in W 96 in D 36 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Rectangular Bronze Patio Dining Table with Wood Top
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive eight foot rectangular patio table designed by Walter Lamb and manufactured by Brown Jordan. The table has a slatted surface in the original weathered wood, mounted on ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb Early Model Bronze Patio Dining Set
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining set consisting of six chairs and rectangular wood top table by Walter Lamb dating from the late 40s or early 50s, either predating or from the early years of his work with Bro...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Beach Table with Wood Top by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The WT-3715 beach table designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan features a tubular bronze frame and a slatted wood tabletop in Philippine Mahogany. Recalling Lamb’s earlier work, the table has molded curves in the runners that act as the feet of the piece. The horizontal profile makes this table a perfect pairing for the lower profiles of the Sleigh Chair or Waikiki Lounge...
Bronze
Sold
H 28 in W 42.5 in D 42.5 in
Iconic Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Glass and Brass Bistro Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in West Hartford, CT
An iconic patio dining/bistro table in brass designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is supported by two concentric rings of brass with radial supports ...
Bronze
Sold
H 28.5 in Dm 36.5 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Center, Cafe or Round Dining Table, 1960s
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly-sought-after and collectible bronze table (functions great as a center table, game table, breakfast / cafe table or dining table) designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. This rare original early production example is from the earlier years of Lamb's work with Brown Jordan, dating to the 1960s. The dining table is the 36.5" diameter round version - sits two to four people comfortably and can also be used as a center or game table with or without chairs - contact us if you wish to purchase side or armchairs with this table as a set. Walter Lamb experimented with leftover copper and bronze tubing from World War II, his designs are now highly collected pieces of functional art and a classic staple for high-end luxury interior designers and architects. They are the perfect blend of Mid-Century Modern design, art and quality - the kind of quality you don't find in the products of today. This sophisticated Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan round table...
Bronze