John Dickinson Rare Three Legged Plaster Table Lamp, circa 1980
View Similar Items
John Dickinson Rare Three Legged Plaster Table Lamp, circa 1980
About the Item
- Creator:John Dickinson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Diameter: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: tablelamp2181stDibs: LU78388640103
John Dickinson
Playful, sculptural, unexpected: Illustrious designer and decorator John Dickinson created interiors, lighting fixtures, seating and other furnishings that were wholly peculiar and unlike anything seen before. The Berkeley, California, native mined design movements of bygone eras for elements he would later integrate into what would become his signature anthropomorphic work.
Dickinson was inspired by Art Deco designers such as Jean-Michel Frank, who similarly drew on the past for his extravagant pieces, and found appeal in the claw-foot tables and seating that Georgian-era furniture makers produced.
Although Dickinson attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, he returned to the West Coast following graduation. He worked for decorating firms and furniture stores, and, in 1956, he set up his own practice in San Francisco, where he reinterpreted heritage in his sculptural lamps, stools and chairs with legs that terminate in hooves or resemble bones and tree branches.
Dickinson’s spare but sophisticated furniture is often associated with a “golden age” of San Francisco decorating that includes the work of designers Charles Pfister and Michael Taylor. Wider recognition over the years owes to collectors’ interest and exhibits such as “Fantasy and Function: The Furniture of John Dickinson,” which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2003.
Despite his irreverent approach, Dickinson’s pieces were luxury items. He crafted lamps of unpolished brass and tables in chalky white plaster with a resin coating. His most iconic works are his Etruscan tables with legs resembling hooved animal feet and his Three-Legged African table, which was inspired by an artifact he discovered in an import shop. Dickinson took on only handpicked, young, well-to-do clients who were willing to give him free rein to experiment with these unusual forms and industrial materials. Leading department stores like Lord & Taylor, however, were also among his clientele. In 1977, Dickinson was commissioned to design a furniture collection for Macy’s. It featured white lacquered bookcases that drew on urban architecture and table lamps with bodies that mimicked animal bones.
Owing to his untimely death, and the fact that he worked in plaster, a highly breakable material, few of Dickinson’s original pieces exist to this day. Their scarcity renders every remaining Dickinson design a valuable heirloom guaranteed to make a statement in any room.
Find vintage John Dickinson furniture on 1stDibs.
- Karl Springer Rare "Giacometti Style Table Lamp" 1980s 'signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare "Giacometti Style Table Lamp” in patinated bronze by Karl Springer, American 1980's (Karl Springer label on bottom). This artisan table lamp is superbly made. Measures: Shade ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Ben Wilson Pair of Large Plaster Table Lamps, 1950sBy Ben WilsonLocated in New York, NYPair of large hand painted plaster table lamps with African motif of a woman carrying a basket on her head by Ben Wilson and sold through Mo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- Philip & Kelvin Laverne Rare and Important Torso Table Lamps circa 1970, SignedBy Philip and Kelvin LaVerneLocated in New York, NYRare and important male and female torso table lamps in Hydro Stone plaster on patinated bronze bases by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American ca. 1970 (s...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Maison Charles "Kazan" Table Lamp in Bronze 1980sBy Maison CharlesLocated in New York, NYArtisan "Kazan" table lamp model No. 2516 in bronze with gilt bronze base and decoration around top by Maison Charles, France 1980's. This lamp is beautifully made and very chic. Rod...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsGold, Bronze
- Ercole Barovier Rare Handblown "Pezzato" Table Lamp, 1950sBy Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in New York, NYRare and important hand-blown glass "Pezzato" table lamp with pink and white lattimo tessere by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano Italy 1950's. This lamp is a work of art. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Impressive Stacked Lucite Table Lamp 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYIconic table lamp with stacked solid lucite slabs with radius corners and chrome hardware and double socket assembly by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This lamp comes with the orig...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Draped Plaster Lamp Style of John DickinsonBy John DickinsonLocated in Bradenton, FL20th century plaster table lamp in the John Dickinson style of the 1970s. Draped and knotted, this unique lamp appears sculptural in design. Lamp includes the harp and the original ...Category
20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- Plaster Draped Lamp in the Style of John DickinsonBy John DickinsonLocated in Lambertville, NJMatte white plaster drape form lamp in the style of John Dickinson. Wired and in working condition. 34H to top of harp.Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- Vintage Plaster Of Paris Draped and Knotted John Dickinson Style Table LampsBy John DickinsonLocated in North Miami, FLThis vintage pair of white Plaster of Paris lamps are sculptural. They are draped and knotted as in the wonderful style of John Dickinson. These are from the 70's. They have been com...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- John Dickinson style organic tree branch table lamp in white finishBy John DickinsonLocated in Ferndale, MIOrganic form of tree branch in white finish . Very much in the style of John Dickinson . 10" wide body of lamp is 20.5 " tall 26" tall at top of socket . .Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsGesso, Paint, Wood
- Pair of Plaster Lamps in the Manner of John DickinsonLocated in North Miami, FLUnusual pair of 1980s plaster lamps in the style of John Dickinson. Made to look like a cloth sack with rope. Very unique.Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- Draped Plaster Floor Lamps in the Manner of John DickinsonBy John DickinsonLocated in Palm Springs, CAA sculptural John Dickinson style plaster of Paris lamps. Plaster 'fabric' drape with tied bow at the top. They have been newly painted and re-w...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsPlaster