Pair of Tall Decorative Ceramic and Brass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston
About the Item
- Creator:Gerald Thurston (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 39.25 in (99.7 cm)Diameter: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Lampshade:Not Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Rewired. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1444214613791
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass and Metal Table LampsBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of tables lamps designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier composed of oversized, fully-adjustable, black-metal shades and corresponding round bases with brass stems (ca. 1950s,...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Vintage Enameled Metal and Brass Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYGerald Thurston for Lightolier table/desk lamp with oversized, fully adjustable shade (ca. 1950s, USA). Black enameled metal and plexi hood with brass stem/accents and original, plas...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Enamel
- Stained Oak Tripod Table Lamp with Diffuser and Shade by Gerald ThurstonBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYAtomic-style table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston, circa 1950s. Sculptural tripod base in stained oak with brass stem and original milk glass diffuser. The vintage linen shade show...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Tall American Modernist White Porcelain and Brass Tables LampsLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of Mid-Century American Modern tables lamps (ca. 1950s, USA). Composed of patinated brass stems and white porcelain forms, all supported by square ebonized wooden platform bases...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Tall Mid-Century American Modern Walnut and Brass Table LampsLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant pair of 1950s American Modern table lamps composed of a solid walnut platform base and spindle-constructed frame that houses an inset brass circular base and brass-plated rod...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Tall Danish Modern Conical Table Lamp in Teak and BrassLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis 1960s Danish table lamp is elegant in its simplicity composed of a conical teak frame joined by a brass neck / stem at the top and a circular, black metal base. Modest form / cl...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Ceramic and Brass Hourglass Table Lamp by Gerald ThurstonBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYClassic midcentury table lamp, designed by Gerald Thurston. The lamp has a ceramic and brass body of wasted or hourglass, form elements, it is in very fine original, and working cond...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Gerald Thurston LampsBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYPair of sculptural table lamps in a white Matte porcelain by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. The lamps each have three light sockets and they have been newly rewired. One lamps has...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Gerald Thurston Ribbed Ceramic Table LampsBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of ceramic table lamps, designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Executed in a minimal black and white, this fresh design has a ribbed motif that adds texture to these large ...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Gerald Thurston Style Brass Table LampsBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYStunning pair of large 1960s Gerald Thurston style brass table lamps with wood base, newly professionally rewired and ready to use. Measures: Height to light socket 29.5” Shade...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Tall Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Radiating Brass & Walnut Table LampBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYGerald Thurston for Lightolier 3' H flared and incised brass and walnut table lamp, circa 1960. Featuring a radiating vertically lined antique bronzed finish top and partial stem wit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal