Used Table Lamps
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Used Table Lamps
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Ceramic, Stoneware
1970s French Hollywood Regency Used Table Lamps
Ceramic, Fabric
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Used Table Lamps
Bronze, Ormolu
1920s American Used Table Lamps
Metal
1970s Used Table Lamps
Metal, Aluminum
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Art Glass
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
1970s Italian Space Age Used Table Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass
1960s Czech Industrial Used Table Lamps
Metal, Chrome
Late 20th Century Used Table Lamps
Stone, Brass
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Porcelain
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Bakelite
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Plastic
1990s European Used Table Lamps
Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Chrome
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Pottery
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Anglo-Japanese Used Table Lamps
Metal
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass, Pewter
1960s Italian Used Table Lamps
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Ceramic
1960s French Used Table Lamps
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Used Table Lamps
Ceramic
1970s Italian Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
2010s American Modern Used Table Lamps
Nickel
1930s European Art Deco Used Table Lamps
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Used Table Lamps
Granite, Stainless Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Used Table Lamps
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Post-Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
2010s European Used Table Lamps
Bronze
1920s Austrian Art Deco Used Table Lamps
Brass
Late 20th Century American Used Table Lamps
Stainless Steel, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
19th Century Belgian Used Table Lamps
Bronze
1950s American Industrial Used Table Lamps
Brass, Aluminum
Late 20th Century Belgian Used Table Lamps
Resin
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
Early 2000s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Used Table Lamps
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Used Table Lamps
Marble, Spelter
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Art Glass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Used Table Lamps
Chrome
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass, Steel, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass
1920s American Art Deco Used Table Lamps
Crystal, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Metal
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Used Table Lamps
Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Used Table Lamps
Marble
1950s French Used Table Lamps
Ceramic
1970s Used Table Lamps
Marble
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Used Table Lamps For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Used Table Lamps?
Finding the Right Table Lamps for You
Well-crafted antique and vintage table lamps do more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior.
Proper table lamps have long been used for lighting our most intimate spaces. Perfect for lighting your nightstand or reading nook, table lamps play an integral role in styling an inviting room. In the years before electricity, lamps used oil. Today, a rewired 19th-century vintage lamp can still provide a touch of elegance for a study.
After industrial milestones such as mass production took hold in the Victorian era, various design movements sought to bring craftsmanship and innovation back to this indispensable household item. Lighting designers affiliated with Art Deco, which originated in the glamorous roaring ’20s, sought to celebrate modern life by fusing modern metals with dark woods and dazzling colors in the fixtures of the era. The geometric shapes and gilded details of vintage Art Deco table lamps provide an air of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style.
After launching in 1934, Anglepoise lamps soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted the fixture as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.” The popular task light owed to a collaboration between a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine and a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons.
Some mid-century modern table lamps, particularly those created by the likes of Joe Colombo and the legendary lighting artisans at Fontana Arte, bear all the provocative hallmarks associated with Space Age design. Sculptural and versatile, the Louis Poulsen table lamps of that period were revolutionary for their time and still seem innovative today.
If you are looking for something more contemporary, industrial table lamps are demonstrative of a newly chic style that isn’t afraid to pay homage to the past. They look particularly at home in any rustic loft space amid exposed brick and steel beams.
Before you buy a desk lamp or table lamp for your living room, consider your lighting needs. The Snoopy lamp, designed in 1967, or any other “banker’s lamp” (shorthand for the Emeralite desk lamps patented by H.G. McFaddin and Company), provides light at a downward angle that is perfect for writing, while the Fontana table lamp and the beloved Grasshopper lamp by Greta Magnusson-Grossman each yield a soft and even glow. Some table lamps require lampshades to be bought separately.
Whether it’s a classic antique Tiffany table lamp, a Murano glass table lamp or even a bold avant-garde fixture custom-made by a contemporary design firm, the right table lamp can completely transform a room. Find the right one for you on 1stDibs.
- What are table lamps used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Table lamps are often used as a reading light or for task lighting. They can also simply serve as part of a room’s decor, perhaps adding light to an area that doesn’t get any illumination from overhead lights. Shop a collection of table lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a buffet lamp used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A buffet lamp can be used on a buffet, bedroom dressers, hall console tables, sofa tables, etc. They are identified by their long narrow necks and tiny shades. Find a variety of buffet lamps on 1stDibs to meet your requirements.
- What lamps do artists use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Artists can use a variety of lamps in their studios. Desk lamps with adjustable arms and shades are popular because they allow artists to direct light where they need it. Similarly, floor lamps that can be adjusted as necessary can also benefit artists. Shop a selection of lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A gooseneck lamp is used for pointing illumination at a spot or subject that needs it. It can be used for night time reading, or on a larger scale, in construction sites for spot illumination. You’ll find a variety of gooseneck lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A banker’s lamp was traditionally used on bankers’ desks or in libraries or other office-type settings. The green-tinted shade helped keep the eyes feeling comfortable and protected from the glare of the bulb. Browse a collection of banker’s lamps from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What are side tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What was a drum table used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A drum table, also referred to as a rent table, is a circular table with labeled drawers. It was traditionally used by landlords to keep account of rent money with the labels displaying the days of the weeks. Due to their unique shape, drum tables are a favorite among home decor enthusiasts. Shop a selection of drum tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A sideboard table is generally used for storing cutlery, napkins and other dining supplies. Sideboards have much in common with credenzas and buffet tables but they are distinct from both of those other kinds of case pieces. Shop a range of antique and vintage sideboards and other storage furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Nesting tables typically consist of several different sizes of tables designed to fit underneath one another — they were initially intended to save space in the drawing room. The tables were pulled out as needed and used for playing chess, needlepoint and engaging in other leisurely activities. Shop a collection of nesting tables on 1stDibs from top sellers worldwide.
- How do you use a brass oil lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023How you use a brass oil lamp may vary based on the design of the piece. However, generally, you fill the lamp with vegetable, sesame or similar plant-based oil. Use tweezers to raise and lower the wick and trim away burned ends with scissors. Then, use a match to light the lamp. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oil lamps.
- What are bistro tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bistro tables are small round tables used for serving small meals, like breakfast or afternoon tea. Bistro tables are versatile, and are great for smaller areas such as a porch or back patio. You can shop antique and contemporary bistro tables from a variety of sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Console tables serve a variety of functions. They can be used as buffets, storage units and display tables. Because they vary in size, you can use them for just about anything.
- What are end tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
End tables typically hold lamps, coasters and other items to keep them within easy reach from the sofa or chair they are next to.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022People began using early versions of oil lamps for spiritual purposes during ancient times. References to oil-burning lamps are found in both the Torah and the Bible. Oil lamps became popular for everyday use lighting homes and businesses in the late 19th century with the advent of the kerosene lamp. Shop a selection of antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.
- How do I use a hanging oil lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To use a hanging oil lamp, remove the oil font from the base and fill it three-quarters of the way with clear lamp oil. Return the font and close the base. Twist the knob to raise the wick until it is a little less than 0.25 inches above the burner. Light with a match or lighter. After extinguishing and allowing time for cooling, trim the burned end off of the wick. You'll find a collection of hanging oil lamps on 1stDibs.
- Are oil lamps still used?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, oil lamps are still used today. However, most people utilize oil lamps while camping or during power outages in the U.S. It is uncommon for Americans to light their homes only with oil lamps. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique oil lamps.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A table used for drafting can simply be called a drafting table. Other names for drafting tables are artist's table, drawing table and architect's table. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of drafting tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dough box table, also known as a bread table, was designed for making bread. The dough is placed in the wooden box to allow it to rise, then when the dough is ready to be kneaded, it can be finished on the flat top. Shop a collection of vintage dough box tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023You can use a number of things in place of an end table. Place a stool, chest, trunk, barrel or crate beside your sofa or chair, or use a bar cart or freestanding tray to rest a lamp and other objects on. If there is a wall nearby, you can even install a floating shelf within arm’s reach. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of living room furniture.
Read More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Christopher Tennant’s Lamps and Dioramas Evoke Sunny Days and Seaside Locales
The former magazine editor blends elements of the Far East and America’s eastern shores, bringing wit and delight to his handmade, upcycled designs.
Paavo Tynell’s Snowflake Chandelier Warms Up Any Room
This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.
NASA Parachutes Inspired Lighting Designer Bec Brittain’s New Collection
In "Paraciphers," now on view at Emma Scully Gallery in New York, Brittain introduces works that were more than a decade in the making.
This Handsome Leather Pendant Light Is Crafted Using Saddle-Making Techniques
The Doma by L’Aviva Home nods to Colombia’s equestrian heritage.
Celebrate Spring Year-Round with This Lush Murano-Glass Chandelier
Hand-blown glass makes the Italian fixture glow like dew-covered leaves in the sun.