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.
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
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio 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 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
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
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
$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
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
$6,417
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
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
Scrolled Wrought Iron Breakfast or Patio Garden Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant scrolled wrought iron breakfast table or patio garden table featuring four large S scrolls. Conjoined on top and bottom with scrolls on to...
Iron
Vintage Round Teak Wood Outdoor Garden Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage indoor or outdoor round teak wood garden, porch or patio dining table with center hole for umbrella. Table has wonderful well weathered patina adding charm and character.
Teak
$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
Set of Four Vintage Brown Jordan Patio, Poolside Garden Chairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Set of four vintage Brown Jordan Tropitone Leillani poolside lounge chairs, having aluminum frames and woven vinyl strap upholstery. The chairs are all structurally sound and sturdy,...
Aluminum
$34,999Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.5 in D 24.5 in
Restored Rare 14 Piece Méandre Outdoor Patio Set by Walter Lamb for Pacific Iron
By Pacific Iron, Walter Lamb
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large 14-piece white steel/iron patio set by designer Walter Lamb for the Los Angeles based Pacific Iron Products Co furniture company features its icon wave along the base of each t...
Iron
Mid Century Iron Patio Dining Table with Milk Glass Top & Brass Trim
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 36inch round patio table suitable indoors or out. Iron base with brass ornaments supporting a milk glass top framed in brass. Exceptional piece with patina to brass and pain...
Brass, Iron
Art Deco Garden Patio Table with Crossed Arrow Legs
By Leinfelder, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Art Deco wrought iron table having classical X-form arrow base, with glass top. Currently in older white paint finish, glass top has damage, top is ...
Wrought Iron
Outdoor Coffee Table with Rust Powdercoat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
$675
H 17.38 in Dm 30.5 in
Russell Woodard 30" Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and settees. Shown in original matte black paint is sold, is now sold . I have one in gre...
Wrought Iron
Salterini Coffee Table
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural mid century coffee table of wrought iron and metal mesh, attributed to Salterini. This example is in very good, clean, and original condition, perfect for the garden, patio, or poolside use. Please view our extensive collection of vintage garden, patio, and poolside furniture, listed at Barbarella Home...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron and Metal Mesh Garden Patio Sculptura Dining Table by Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional wrought iron and metal mesh dining table from the Sculptura series, by The Woodard Furniture Company, with custom made glass ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 32 in W 20.75 in D 33 in
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
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
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 Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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 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 Bronze Patio Cafe 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 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 10.25 in W 30 in D 13.75 in
Walter Lamb Beach Table, Bronze Frame & Mahogany Top, 1950s, Brown Jordan
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 29 in W 96 in D 36 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Rectangular Bronze Patio Dining Table with Wood Top
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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