Gerald Thurston for Lghtolier Adjustable Desk Lmp
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Gerald Thurston for Lghtolier Adjustable Desk Lmp
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very minor loss to paint on the top of the shade - working original condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97871079880
Lightolier
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYElegant and chic, quilted ceramic body with brass base and top. Excellent overall condition, slight bruise on brass base, as shown. Base accepts three bulbs to provide ample light. S...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic Table Lamp, ca. 1950/ 1960'sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYChic and stylish ceramic and brass table lamp, attributed to Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. The lamp is in excellent, clean, and working condition, and comes complete with its origi...Category
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- Pr Mid Century Hollywood Regency Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYIncredible pair of Mid Century, Hollywood Regency table lamps designed by Gerald Thurston, for Lightolier circa 1950/1960's. This rare form is referred to as Floriform, this pair is ...Category
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- Mid Century Mushroom Form Table Lamp att. to Gerald Thurston c 1950'sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in New York, NYChic architectural Mid Century dome top table lamp, attributed to Gerald Thurston, for Lightolier - circa 1950/1960's. The lamp features a circular domed top shade, which rests on a ...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Adjustable Taupe Desk Lamp, 1950'sBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal condition Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Pivoting Library lamp, 1950's. Featuring an articulating patinated Brass stem, resembling a smooth Bronze appearance, adjustable Tau...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Style Adjustable Brass Desk Lamp, 1960sBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bainbridge, NYAmerican Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston for Lightolier style brass desk lamp. Featuring a slender, sturdy Brass plated tubular stem, round balanced, weighted 6D base, turn switch to base, adjusting Black enameled interior Brass shade head (8.25 W x 3W) extending to 10W with Cast Iron handle...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Double Desk LampBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated 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
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige "Cricket" Desk Lamp, Circa 1955By Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige Cricket Table Lamp, Wall Lamp. Featuring an adjustable perforated dome Bakelite Shade in Coffe...Category
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- 1970's Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Black Lacquered Table / Desk LampBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated 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
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- 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
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