1950s Table Lamps

Table lamp model 2468 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Brass with cotton shades. Stamped. Model 2468 is a delightful brass table lamp with three small shades in green, yellow, and red. The lamp has an elegant brass base with three stems that hold the shades at different heights. Because of its tricolour shades, it is known as the “traffic light lamp”. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1950s, this lamp has become a timeless Svenskt Tenn collectable. H: 54 cm W: 42 cm Shade D: 15 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design. Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style. What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist. Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best sellers long after Frank was forced to hand the company over in 1938 after the Third Reich annexation of Austria. When Josef and Anna had moved to Sweden Frank had struck up a working relationship with Design shop owner Estrid Ericson. Ericson was the proprietor of Svenskt Tenn that at this point was a successful interiors shop in Stockholm with the royal warrant of appointment to the Swedish Royal Household. In 1935 Frank had become the chief designer for Svenskt Tenn and had set about putting all of his creative effort into his designs for the company. At the World Expositions in Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939 the world saw for the first time the wealth of products that Frank had been working on, ranging from candlesticks to cabinets, there was not a domestic object that Frank had not subjected to his colourful, comfortable and organic style of Modernism. Frank’s new school of Modernism championed ideas such as chairs having a freeing, open back and that “If one desires the room to be comfortable…all pieces of furniture should allow for a free view of the separating line between the floor and the wall. A cabinet without legs breaks this line and thus reduces the feeling of space.” A world-wide audience tired of classic Modernism’s furniture with solid planes and aggressive forms leapt upon these ideas and Franks natural and bright designs for Svenskt Tenn became internationally desired. Frank created over 2000 designs for Svenskt Tenn and his products continue to be the core of their brand. Frank’s rejections of tubular metal and heavy lacquers within his furniture have insured his unique light form of Modernism continues to influence and flourish today. His natural toned mahogany and walnut pieces along with his tactile leather covered and brightly shaded lighting still bring the forms of nature back into the home. Original Frank pieces are now increasingly rare, highly desirable and are the epitome of “Scandinavian Design”. Renowned Designer and Academic Isle Crawford...

Akari model 1AS light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with original Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. Akari light sculptures...

A Mid-Century Modern desk lamp with an angled, curled-under base that has two coiled, brass pen holders; echoing the brass, adjustable, hose neck. The...

A gorgeous and rare table lamp model 'Tisch-Überall' no. 1092 designed by Josef Frank in 1934 or earlier for Haus & Garten. The offered piece was manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna,...

A pair of walnut and ceramic table lamps designed by Jane & Gordon Martz. Produced by Marshall Studios, Veedersburg, Indiana, c. 1955. Bases are sculpted walnut, with ceramic inlays...

A solid teak cube / square table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Sold without lampshade. Measurements listed are of lamp only. For reference Shade : 4 x 8.25 ...

Pair of circa 1950's French sang de boeuf lamps with wood bases. Measurements: Height of body: 16.5" Height to shade rest: 26" Diameter: 7".

A brass and rattan table lamp designed and produced by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Denmark, 1950s. Sold with lampshades. Stated dimension...

Large, high kitsch, Angular acrylic table lamp by Majestic with original shade and original Lucite finial

These lamps are very dramatic and quite camp, quasi Versace! Pair of vintage 1950s neoclassical style table lamps with ebonized double columns with gilt metal Corinthian capitals...

Rare table lamp designed by Pierre Forsell. Produced by Skultuna in Sweden.

Midcentury pair of ceramic table lamps designed by Bitossi. Made in Italy.

1955, Winslow Anderson, Blenko, Milton, WV USA art glass. Model LP-19. 46" tall and 9" wide. One of the largest lamps ever produced by Blenko, this hand blown lamp is featured in "Chartreuse Green" which was produced between 1949-1955. Entirely rewired with all brass polished and in perfect condition with a double socket with pull chains. Each socket can have a 100 watt bulb for 200 total watts. This is a distinctive color that is akin to a green with a subtle yellow undertone. A perfect gift. The light switch and sockets is located at the 34" mark. Top finial 46" top stem above sockets can be altered to suit a smaller shade...

Pair of ceramic lamps with different shades of greens and browns. Reminiscent of lamps by Marianna von Allesch. Ceramic portion is 17" high. Total height from base to the bottom of s...

Lee Rosen for Design Technics handcrafted sgraffito Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp. Featuring a classic tall wheel thrown pottery bottle form natural earthen palette in Beige, Taupe, Eggs...

Lovely Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp in Brass, Wicker and Teak, 1950s, Austria A premium maretial mix of brass, teak and wicker. The color combination and proportions are perfect. ...

Small vintage table or bedside lamp, made of brass and cream-colored enamelled metal , Italy , 1950's . This abat jour is in good vintage condit...

Introducing an extraordinary pair of Chinese table lamps, skillfully made from porcelain and in great condition. Each lamp features stunnin...

Forged iron table lamp, France 1950s. Interesting strong sculptural shape in forged metal with an off-white shade both covered with linen from the out- and inside. In very good origi...

Vintage 1950s large abstract sculptural table lamp. Looks like the style of Weinberg or Heifetz but it is not marked. Rare beautiful abstract female design...

Charming raffia table lamp from the 1950s. The design is very unusual. The shape and the materials create a warm and very pleasant light. Condition: Very good vintage conditi...

Another charming anthropomorphic early 1950's Swedish lamp with versatility either to hang on a wall or stand on a desk or table top. Fully articulating shade. Takes a single candela...

Rare brass table lamp, model 9224 (also known as the Horseshoe Lamp), designed by Paavo Tynell for Idman in Finland, 1950s. One of Paavo Tynell's most ...

Amazing pair of French gilt metal table lamps. Each display a gilded cherub by Fabrication Francaise. One way lighting

Simple handsome Danish form. Rewired to US standards with double cluster Edison sockets in polished nickel. Shade not included with lamp. Dimensions of shade shown: Bottom di...

A fine and large pair of ginger jar hand-painted floral decorated lamps, made by Marbro Lamp Company Los Angeles. Each melon shaped ginger jar vase hand painted with brilliantly colo...

Beautiful, rare, large, Mid Century table lamp by the Temde type 32. Great 1950s design. Made in Switzerland. With original label on the underside of the foot. Round fabric shade wit...

Original table lamp by Hans Agne Jakobsson for Markaryd. The lamp is made of teak wood while the shade is made of bakelite. The lamp has the originality sticker and was produced in S...

Pair of very original table lamps from the 50's depicting small Chinese pagodas. Metal structure painted red, gold and black (original paint). Diffusers in frosted glass. Very decora...

Table lamp produced in Sweden by AB E. Hansson & Co. Made from brass with original snake skinn embossed leather. Lamp shade adjustable in angle. Light switch on the base in working o...

English 1950s Leather Barley Twist Table Lamp.

1950s brass table lamp attributed to Jacques Biny. An exceptionally clean and simple design executed in patinated brass with white painted inner shade. Shade rotates freely on a ball...

Pair of table lamps designed by Tony Paul for Westwood Industries in the United States circa 1950’s. These organic shaped lamps feature a walnut w...

Refined set of 2 table lamps, abat jour in the shape of a double light candlestick, with a light and dark turned wooden body and a semicircle metal support, by Colli Torino, Italian ...

Introducing our exquisite pair of vintage table lamps from the 1950s, blending timeless midcentury modern design with Italian craftsmanship. These lamps, brought to life with a resty...

This unusual rattan or wicker table lamp was designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. It features a minimalist birch tripod base with a clip-on rattan lampshade. The lampsha...

Small minimalist teak lamp with parchment paper shade. Great as a desk lamp or where a small lamp is needed. Dimensions listed (10 in. diameter x 16 in. tall) are the overall dimen...

- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of brass, glass - Re-polished - New cabling - Fully functional - Good, original condition.

This beautiful and unusual golden color metal floral table lamp features a metal body decorated with roses and leaves. One new socket for E14 size light bulb. Dimensions: height: 31 ...

An unusual 1950's table lamp designed by Thomas Valentiner for Poul Dinesen. Brass and teak with original shade. Brass has patina and oxidation.

Fabulous pair of Sculptural organic styled ceramic lamps with original shades in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Wire bases with matching wire atop the lamp shades. Ra...

Large scale (almost four feet tall) ceramic table lamp designed by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. Colors are tan and white with sgraffito decoration. This fine and rare ...

Table Lamp, model T-3-C, in spun aluminum, enameled metal, steel, cork. Designed by James Harvey Crate, USA, 1950. The T-3-C lamp received Third Prize in MoMA’s Low-Cost Lighting Co...

Unique and beautiful Frederic Weinberg 1950's style modernist lamp. This lamp has an ebonized wood crescent shape resting on a round black metal base with brass accents, and includes...

Table lamp with fabric shade vienna around 1950s Brass polished and stove enameled The fabric shade is replaced ( new ) Wood polished.

Wonderful lamp in the Bauhaus style from the 1950s: Large table lamps from the company Joseph Brumberg Sundern (JBS) from West Germany (Sauerla...

Lovely table lamp with perforated brass produced by Boréns in Sweden, 1950s. Good condition and nice patina, new wiring.

Blue ceramic table lamp

Brass and glass 'Saucer' table lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, with ball joint articulation and frosted glass.

Mid Century Modern vintage pastel blue table lamp from hand made glass Barovier & Toso with a replaced lamp shade from golden fabric, Italy 190s. A delicate and high-quality soft pas...

A rare 1950s American Hydrangea table lamp. The gold painted leaves and flower stems housed within a golden pot, each of the three off white Hydrangea flower heads has a wonderful cr...

1950s mid century table lamp in a gold finish. Everything works and it has a click switch.

Pair of Italian Brass Candelabra Table Lamps Floating oval glass base. Lamps are unmarked. 6.5 W x 3.5 D x 6.5 H (base of the socket) Each ta...

Art Deco wood lamp with fabric shade, Vienna, around 1920s. Wood polished. Brass polished and stove enameled The fabric shade is replaced (new).

1950s Giuseppe Ostuni 'Ochetta' red & brass wall or table lamp for O-Luce. An extremely rare and surprisingly utilitarian design executed in red painted metal and brass by one of the...

20th c., a pair of large brass reticulated candle pricket table lamps, with grape clusters and leaves in relief, on paw feet, unmarked. These lamps are fabulous in the best possible ...

Gorgeous vintage brass Marbro table lamp depicting 2 peacocks sitting on a tree stump. We love the larger mother peacock watching over her baby who is lo...

Pair Barovier and Toso Murano glass lamps by Ercole Barovier white with silver flecks. Applied clear band and applied circular rings. Glass height is 17.25. Measurements without harp...