Mid Century Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Articulating Desk Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Gerald Thurston (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Refinished. Rewired. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bedford Hills, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU970721786802
Gerald Thurston
As the leading designer at Lightolier during the postwar building and design boom, Gerald Thurston created his clever lighting — sleek floor lamps, table lamps and desk lamps— to suit the American lifestyles of 1950s and 1960s. His designs were at the forefront of the mid-century modern lighting revolution — like much of the visionary work being done at the time in furniture and interiors, Thurston’s fixtures are both elegant and totally innovative, reflecting the exploration of new ideas and new technology that consumed designers of the era.
Thurston eventually led a stellar team of international lighting designers at Lightolier. He was important to the pioneering East Coast-based electric lighting company, and rumor has it that because he sketched every design on craft paper, the manufacturer insured his right hand for one million American dollars.
While enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1930s, where he earned his degree in industrial design, Thurston worked as a freelance designer for the Zenith Radio Corporation. Once he graduated, he found a position at the New Metal Craft Company. There he designed custom lighting fixtures and decorative objects for architects and interior designers.
Lightolier enticed Thurston to join them in approximately 1950. That same year, New York’s Museum of Modern Art featured a green floor lamp of his in their Good Design Exhibition of 1950. The sculptural lamps that Thurston created for Lightolier are representative of his interest in Scandinavian modernist lighting as well as the revolutionary designs produced by postwar Italian companies such as Arredoluce and Arteluce. (Lightolier partnered with the latter, and Thurston found inspiration in the work of Arteluce founder Gino Sarfatti.)
During Thurston’s decades-long tenure with Lightolier, he became internationally known for his many designs. His modernist fixtures are characterized by clean lines, vibrant colors and an appealing meld of metals and rich woods. His slender-legged Lightolier Tripod floor lamp, introduced in the 1960s, garnered widespread acclaim, while his whimsical Cricket lamp, with its arthropodan shade and slim brass frame, is wholly versatile — it can be hung as a sconce or positioned on a desk and offers direct or diffused light.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Gerald Thurston lighting, decorative objects and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bedford Hills, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Mid Century Modern Articulating Desk Lamp by Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYIconic desk lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, all original, no missing parts or dents, great patina on brass, minor flaking on weighted handle, please see photos. Work...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Enamel
- Mid-Century Modern Articulating Black Desk Lamp in the Style of Gerald ThurstonBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYCool mid-century articulating matte black desk lamp in the style of Gerald Thurston. Switch located on the top of the finial. All authentic original.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Modern Large Tubular Table Lamp in the Style of Gerald ThurstonBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYBeautiful large accent lamp in the style of Gerald Thurston with round base and brass hardware accents. Three-way switch located on top, illuminate bottom, top or both. Great origina...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsLinen, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Atomic Age Floor Lamp in the Style of Gerald Thurston, 1950'sBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYMid century modern industrial atomic floor lamp similar to the designs by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Mid-Century Modern Sputnik Atomic Table Lamp, 1950sBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYVery cool midcentury Sputnik atomic table lamp in brass and metal, rewired, shade not included.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid Century Modern Italian Chrome Desk Lamp by Raymor, 1970'sBy RaymorLocated in Bedford Hills, NYRare high-polished chrome desk lamp by Raymor, Italy. Professionally rewired.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk LampBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Riverdale, NYGerald Thurston for Lightolier Desk Lamp from the 1950s in an Industrial green grey enameled sheet metal. Crescent base and sw...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Double Desk LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic, Mid-Century Modern, double-headed desk lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features painted metal shades with perforated diffusers and brass accents on a faux wood metal ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid Century Modern Articulating Lightolier Lamp Gerald Thurston Case Study HomeBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Peoria, AZICONIC! Simply BEAUTIFUL LIGHTOLIER ARTICULATING SHADE DESK/TABLE LAMP By GERALD THURSTON Rare TERRA COTTA Color Does your Case Study House need new lamps? This marvelous specime...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Rare! Mid Century Modern Lightolier Twin Articulating Lamp Gerald Thurston 1955By Gerald ThurstonLocated in Peoria, AZRARE & FABULOUS! MID CENTURY MODERN GERALD THURSTON TWIN FIBERGLASS SHADE ARTICULATING DESK LAMP! CONICAL DESIGN! CIRCA 1955 DIMENSIONS: APPROXIMATELY 25" TALL by 16" WIDE Th...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Table Lamp attr. Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Trenton, NJIlluminate your home with the elegance of mid-century modern design with this ceramic and brass table lamp, attributed to the iconic Gerald Thurston as designed for Lightolier. This ...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Gerald Thurston "Cricket" Lamp for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Brooklyn, NYGreat modernist design, can sit on table or be hung on the wall as a sconce. Pierced pivoting shade allows for direct or diffused light and brightness control.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsEnamel
