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 Round 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 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
$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
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
Patio or Garden Dining Room Table in Wrought Iron with Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Patio or garden dining room table in wrought iron with glass top Indoor & Outdoor Structure measurements: Depth 27.5 in Width 47.24 in Height 29.52 in.
Wrought Iron
$1,860
H 29 in W 31 in D 59 in
Grey Table in Wrought Iron, Glass Top, Patio Table, Patio Set, Outdoor Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Grey table in wrought iron, glass top, patio table, patio set. Outdoor furniture. Dining set. Indoor & Outdoor
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
$1,450
H 29.52 in W 63 in D 35.43 in
Patio, Garden, Kitchen or Dining Room Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
Patio or garden dining room table in wrought iron The price it´s only for the legs Estructure measurements: Depth 27.5 in Width 47.24 in Height 29.52 in.
Wrought Iron
$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
$975
H 30 in W 42 in D 30 in
Mid Century Garden Patio Poolside Dining Table Att. to Salterini, circa 1950s
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural dining table constructed of wrought iron, attributed to Salterini, in the style of Woodard Furniture. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, the finish sho...
Wrought Iron
$3,400
H 29.52 in W 86.61 in D 35.43 in
21st Century Wrought Iron Set of Patio Dining Table & Chairs. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
Wrought iron set of patio dining table and chairs Pine top with beautiful patina.
Wrought Iron
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
Garden Patio Glass Top Metal Base Cafe Dining Table
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and charming diminutive cafe dining table. This example has a cast aluminum base with foliate trim and cabriole legs, the top is the original textured plate...
Aluminum
$1,150
H 28.5 in Dm 47.5 in
Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Umbrella Dining Table
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Russell Woodard designed round black mesh dining table with umbrella mount, seen with his Sculptura line chairs. Nice original paint or possibly older repaint. Some rust. See...
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 Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 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 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
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Dining Table with Glass Top
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 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
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 Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 W 73.5 in D 41.5 in
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Dining Table w Celebrity Provenance, 1960s
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A highly-sought-after and collectible dining table was designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. This rare original early production example is from the earlier years of ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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
Sold
H 28 in Dm 42.5 in L 28 in
Iconic Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Glass and Brass Bistro Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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
Iconic Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Glass and Brass Bistro Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 in Dm 48 in L 28 in
Round Patio Table with Oxidized Bronze Frame by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
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
Sold
H 28 in Dm 48 in L 28 in
Round Patio Table with Oxidized Bronze Frame by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
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