1950s Table Lamps

Pair of table lamps model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Brass, lacquered brass and original fabric shades. Stamped. Josef Frank was a true European...

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...

Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky, desk lamp, model ‘A704’, enameled steel, enameled aluminum, leather-bound metal, Finland, 1954 This table lamp model ‘A704’ is designed by Finnish...

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 steel and black-lacquered metal table lamp designed and produced in Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 19 “ H x 7.75 “ Diameter  Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulb Number of S...

Striking table lamp from ASEA, made completely from brass. Cool, clean design with shade that can be adjusted to direct and soften the light.

A laminated wood, brown fabric and beige parchment paper table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16”  H x 7.25” D Stated dimensions includ...

Paavo Tynell for Taito Oy, table lamp, model ‘9225’, brass, leather, Finland, 1950s This '9225' desk lamp, designed by the master of lighting Paavo Tynell in the fifties, stands as ...

A pair of adjustable green and white-lacquered metal and chrome table lamps designed and produced in Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.5” H x 7.5” W x 17.75” D Bulb Speci...

A burl wood and brass table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 13”  H x 9” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 6”  Top Diameter x 16”  Bott...

A two-armed brass table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 17” H x 21.5” W x 12.75” D Bulb Specifications: E-26 Bulb Number of Sockets: 2 All ...

Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, ‘Lucinella’ table lamp, model ‘12353’, brass, Carrara marble, rubber, Italy, circa 1950 This exquisite table lamp is designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredo...

Tito Agnoli for O-luce, table lamp, model '269', nickel-plated brass, Perspex, Italy, 1959. Italian designer Tito Agnoli designed this table lamp, model 269, in 1959 for O-Luce. Th...

A pair of brass and white fabric table lamps designed and produced by NAFA, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 15.75” H x 4” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 8”  Top ...

Paavo Tynell for Idman, table lamp, model ‘5061’, brass, perforated brass, Finland, circa 1950 A truly magnificent piece that scores highly on every design aspect: execution, use o...

Giuseppe Ostuni for O-Luce, large set of '181' wall light, Italy, 1950s This stunning design by Giuseppe Ostuni is applicable in many different ways. Attach the lamp to a desk or a ...

A freeform oak table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 29” H x 19” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 9” Top Diameter x 19” Bottom Diamet...

A gilt and painted wood, raffia and painted fiberglass table lamp designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 33.5” H x 26” W x 8” D Stated dimensions in...

A unique grey-glazed and incised table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 13” H x 3.45”  Diameter Dimensions...

Cool brass floor lamp from Philips, in a neat size. Adjustable neck.

A hickory and rattan table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24.5” H x 16” D Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specifications: E-26 Bulb ...

A brass, yellow-lacquered metal and marble table lamp designed by Oscar Torlasco and produced by Lumi Milano, Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 17.5”  H x 10.5”  W x 8.5” D...

An organic oak and brass table lamp attributed to Yasha Heifetz, USA, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 26.25” H x 7.5” W x 5.75” D Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specifica...

Glazed ceramic table sculpture lamp, Zanaga signature item in an edition of 20 pieces, dating from the 1950s. excellent condition, original lampshade. Measurements refer to ceramic l...

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 ...

Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen was a Danish designer who is best known for his wide collection of light fixtures. A licensed ornamental metalworker, Holm-Sørensen started his design career...

A pair of dark-stained oak and brass table lamps designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 10.25” H x 4.25”  Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 4”  To...

Hand-thrown ceramic table lamp, each side concave with pastoral figural motif, in light blue, brown and white salt glaze by C.A.S. Vietri, Italy 1950's. This lamp is absolutely stunn...

A small freeform brass and copper table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.75”  H x 3.5”  D Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specifica...

A hickory and rattan table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions (inches): 19”  H x 13.25” W x 13.25” D Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specifications: E-26 ...

Table lamp model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Stamped. Brass and textile. Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would beco...

A hand-painted ceramic table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 22.5” H x 6.75”  Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 15” Top Diameter x 15”...

Pair of table lamps model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Stamped. Brass and textile. Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what w...

A beige-glazed ceramic, bamboo and rattan table lamp designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 21.5”  H x 12” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 12...

An adjustable brass and black-lacquered metal table lamp designed by Oscar Torlasco and produced by Lumi, Milano, Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 14.5”  H x 3.5”  W x 3” ...

A green and gold-painted wood table lamp designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 28” H x 4.1” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 12”  Top Diamete...

A cerused and black-painted oak table lamp designed and produced by Yasha Heifetz, USA, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29”  H x 14” W x 5.5” D ...

A black-cerused oak table lamp attributed to Yasha Heifetz, USA, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 23.50” H x 8” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 9” Top Diameter x 12”  Bott...

A patinated copper over bronze table lamp designed by Stewart Ross James and produced by Hansen Lighting, USA, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 31.5” H x 5.75” Diameter Dimension...

A teak and red and blue ceramic tile table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 8.95” H x 3.84” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 3” Top Di...

A green-painted wood table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 28” H x 4.1” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 12” Top Diameter x 16” Botto...

A large freeform wood, brass and white fabric table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.75”  H x 10.5” W x 9.75” D Stated dimensions include...

A teak and fabric string table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.5” H x 5.75” W x 5.75” D Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specificat...

A large oak and metal table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 24.75” x 5” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 10” Top Diameter x 14” Botto...

A bamboo, rattan and walnut table lamp designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.8” H x 18” W x 18.5” D Bulb Specifications: E-26 Bulb Number of Soc...

Monumental hand-blown glass table lamp, light blue with footed with channeled body, by Barovier & Toso, Murano Italy, 1950's. The scale of this hand-blown lamp is truly stunning. As...

A pine table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Please note cord feeds from socket exposing cord running along base. Dimensions of Lamp: 11.55” H x 5” W x 3.1” D Dimensio...

Mid-century lighting design is world-famous for numerous reasons. The era’s designers managed to make strictly functional design look beautiful in addition to practicality and high-q...

A brass and opaline glass table lamp designed and produced in Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 23” H x 13” Diameter  Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulb Number of Sockets: 2 Al...

Hand hammered and bent copper and oak table lamp by Yasha Heifetz.

A hickory wood and rattan table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s.  Overall Dimensions (inches): 26” H x 7”Diameter  Stated dimensions include shade. Bulb Specifications: ...

A glass and metal table lamp designed and produced by Reijmyre Glasbruk, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 12” H x 4” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 9” Top Diamete...

A copper and brown-painted wood table lamp designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 19.75” H x 6.75” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 10” Top Di...

A white green blue and brown-painted porcelain table lamp designed and produced in Denmark, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11 H x 6.75” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 4...

An adjustable brass, grey-painted metal and iron table lamp designed and produced by HW Armature, Sweden, 1950s. Please note cord feeds from middle of stem where iron and brass conn...

This rare table or desk lamp was designed by Erik Wärnå in the 1950s. It was produced by his company EWÅ in Värnamo, Sweden. The lamp is signed with the manufacturers stamp on the un...

A large maple table lamp designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 26.25” x 6.2” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 10” Top Diameter x 14” Bottom Diam...

A grey ceramic table lamp designed by Thomas Hellström and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11” H x 5.1” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 4.5” ...