Gerald Thurston Canister Reflector Lamps by Lightolier
About the Item
- Creator:Gerald Thurston (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Power Source:Plug-in
- Voltage:110-150v
- Lampshade:Not Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Aluminum,Metalwork
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU91191421262
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1970's Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Black Lacquered Table / Desk LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYGerald Thurston for lightolier basic concept table lamp with black lacquered steel base and lamp stem, white acrylic drum shade and plastic diffuser unde...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Steel and Glass Dome ChandelierBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYOriginal 1950s Gerald Thurston for Lightolier steel and glass chandelier chandelier. Milk glass dome shade suspends from circular steel central f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum
- Italian 1960s Alabaster Acanthus LampsLocated in New York, NYPair of Italian hand-carved solid alabaster acanthus form lamps, circa 1960's. The lamps have never been used. We acquired them in a warehouse full of vintage alabaster lamps...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAlabaster
- Danish Modern Organic Form Teak Lamps by ESA DenmarkBy ESALocated in New York, NYPair of handcrafted organic form teak lamps with original woven lampshades. Bakelite sockets and light switches. Overall height 34.5 " lamp body measur...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTeak
- Blenko Smoky Blue Glass Bottle LampBy Blenko GlassLocated in New York, NYBlenko smoke blue glass lamp with circular wood base. Original hardware and finial. Overall height measures 27 inches, lamp body, 14 inches height. Signed with paper label on harp, ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Zaccagnini 1950's Italian Striped Ceramic LampBy Ugo ZaccagniniLocated in New York, NYBeautifully textured Italian 1950's enamel glaze striped ceramic lamp, with wood base and brass cone top. Original glass shade diffuser included....Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Gerald Thurston Canister Reflector Lamp for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Denton, TXAluminum cylinder with black metal base and pleated interior by Gerald Thurston. Best used as a floor up light to create a moody ambiance or to highlight a architechual element in th...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige "Cricket" Desk Lamp, Circa 1955By Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige Cricket Table Lamp, Wall Lamp. Featuring an adjustable perforated dome Bakelite Shade in Coffe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Gerald Thurston Lightolier Wall Sconce LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonThese lamps were covered outdoors, so we had to paint them and remove the rust. They need to be rewired and change where the bulbs screw in.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Gerald Thurston Orange Table Lamp by LightolierBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Redding, CTGerald Thurston orange table lamp by Lightolier. In amazing vintage condition. Gorgeous statement piece for your desk. Very rare, one of a kind. Lamp base is 6 inches in diameterCategory
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 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 "Cricket" Lamp for LightolierBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated 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