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Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1940s
Ceramic Table Lamp in Pale Celery Green by Swiss Ceramic Artist Fritz Haussmann.
By Fritz Haussman
Located in Chicago, IL
A pale green ceramic table signed Haussmann. Signed and numbered as shown. The color is a pale celery green yellow sometimes the color of lemon with a lovely speckle glaze. An Art De...
Category

1940s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pietro Chiesa Table Lamp Fontana Arte 1940 Blu Crystal Brass Italian
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pietro Chiesa table lamp Fontana Arte 1940 Blu crystal brass Italian Measure: Crystal base cm. 18 x 13,5.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Vintage Barovier e Toso Signed Tall Gray Murano Lamps, Pair
Located in East Hampton, NY
These tall gray Murano glass table lamps are Vintage Barovier e Toso signed to top. All original and in excellent condition. Very importa...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Silk, Murano Glass

Midcentury Floor Lamp Attributed to Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Genuinely nice Swedish floor lamp made in Sweden for Ateljé Lyktan and attributed to Hans Bergström. The base is made with iron casting and continues with brass. The two-light source...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Table Lamp by Fog & Mørup Lamp Makers from the 1940s
Located in Søborg, DK
A vintage brass table lamp by Danish lighting company Fog & Mørup from the 1940s in the style of Poul Henningsen. The lamp has been dissembled and rewired with a twisted gold cloth f...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Swedish, Adjustable Two-Armed Table Lamp, Brass, Leather, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A table lamp. Designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Brass with finely braided and dyed leather. Condition: Good Wear consistent with age and use. Original patina consistent with ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Extremely Rare Paavo Tynell Table Lamp #9220
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extremely rare and unusual table lamp by Paavo Tynell. Brass with original paper shade. Stamped "Oy Taito" on underside of socket.
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp, Functionalism, 1940's
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of chrome, glass - Adjustable - Good original condition.
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

NYC Cityscape Pottery Lamps, circa 1940s
Located in Atlanta, GA
NYC cityscape pottery lamps, American, circa 1940s. They feature ceramic bodies, with brass hardware, and retain their original fabric shades and finials...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Metal

Pair of Chrome Glass Design Midcentury Table Lamps, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1950s - Czechoslovakia - Opaline glasses - Newly wired, patina - Good original condition.   
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Dark Green French Table Lamp with Telescope Function, circa 1945
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful and rare midcentury dark green French table lamp was made around 1945. It has got a telescope function and is very unique. It is in its original vintage condition. ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Allan Gould Desk Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Allan Gould for Mutual-Sunset Lamp Manufacturing Company, rare desk lamp. Chrome-plated steel with fluted acrylic base.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

Design Table Lamp, Functionalism, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of chrome, glass - New cabling - Re-polished - Fully functional - Good, original condition.
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Jaw-Dropping Pair of Cloisonne Vessels as Custom Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lamps are shipped as photographed and described in the narrative. They are custom built using materials of the highest quality and are shipped complete with the new shades, harps and finials shown in the photos. A majestic pair of vintage Asian Cloisonne vessels...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Enamel

Pair of Bronze and Glass Table Lamps Attributed to Maison Jansen, France.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Bronze and Glass Table Lamps Attributed to Maison Jansen, France, circa 1940-1950.          
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Lauritz Hjorth, Table Lamp, Blue-Glazed Stoneware, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed stoneware table lamp designed and produced by Lauritz Hjorth, Denmark, 1940s. Sold without Lampshade(s). Dimensions of Lamp (inches) : 13.93 x 4.5 x 4.5 (Height x Wid...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Stoneware, Fabric

Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Lacquered Metal, Brass, Oak, Sweden, circa 1949
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-lacquered metal, brass and oak table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, late 1940s. Socket takes standard E-26 medium base bulb. ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Art Deco Table Lamp in Murano Glass, Attributed to Barovier and Toso, circa 1940
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Table lamp in the form of an oil lamp manufactured in blue opalescent Murano glass attributed to Barovier and Toso, circa 1940 and still retaining the retailer label.  
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Glass Table Lamp from Seguso, 1940s
Located in Brussels, BE
Glass table lamp from Seguso, 1940s.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Glass

Pair of Bronze Horse Head Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of bronze horse head lamps on black steel bases. Base is 8" diameter. Horse is 9.5" wide, 4" deep and 11" high. Total height from base to the top ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Lamp Table Sculpture Pine Abstract Figurative Organic Henry Moore High
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A Henry Moore Inspired, pine, figurative, sculpture upcycled into a 17” high, table lamp - Unusual statement and conversation piece; injecting modernism and organic form and textu...
Category

1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pine

Luxe Pair of 1940s Stacked Crystal Table Lamps
Located in Kingston, NY
This luxe pair of 1940s stacked crystal table lamps features a column design. Made in Italy, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Lamp, Table, Sculpture, Steel, Abstract Expressionist, circa 1950
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Abstract expressionist, steel, sculpture, Upcycled Into A 16” high table lamp- metal and welder sculptors rose to prominence after WWII, following Julio González and Pablo Picasso an...
Category

1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Italian 1940s Table Lamp in Glass and Brass
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1940s table lamp in glass and brass. Height measurement is without a lampshade.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tall Yasha Heifetz Abstract Copper & Bleached Mahogany Table Lamp, circa 1950
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Larger American Mid Century handcrafted Yasha Heifetz copper and bleached mahogany table lamp. Featuring a hand sculpted abstract copper panel ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Copper

Art Deco French Ceramic and Wood Table Lamp with Silk Lampshade, France, 1940s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Art Deco French ceramic and wood table lamp with silk lampshade, France, 1940s.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Silk, Wood

Pair of Christian Dell for Kaiser "Idell" #6556 Black Desk Lamps, 1930s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of early version All Black Christian Dell for Kaiser Idell 6556 adjustable Table Lamps. Featuring adjustable 6D Black enameled metal Shade, arm...
Category

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Copper Stacked Base Torchiere Table Lamp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A late 1940s copper torchiere table lamp, featuring a slender copper torchiere lamp shade and stacked base made of lacquered wood steps with dec...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Copper

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Aluminum Film Lamp Spotlight, 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
This film Lamp or spotlight was produced and used in the 1940s. The on/off switch is fixed at the socket. So the film lamp shows one E 27 socket and the orig...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Gilbert Rohde Style Brass Ring Table Lamp, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Made in the U.S, circa 1950, this Gilbert Rodhe style brass ring table lamp features a center brass ring fixed to a lacquered wood base. This la...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Carl Harry Stalhane Pottery Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Matte brown hares-fur glazed earthenware ceramic base. The variations of color give this lamp a warm, subtle distinctiveness. "Rorstrand Sweden" original label.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Midcentury Design Murano Table Lamp, 1940s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian midcentury design Murano table lamp, 1940s
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Murano Glass

Midcentury Huge Grapevine Table Lamp by James Mont
Located in Pasadena, CA
Gilded grapevine and silvered leaves ornate the shaft of this lamp which stands on two bases, one silvered, the other one gilded. The unusually high height of the table lamp shows of...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Vintage Green Red Glass Ball Table Lamp by WMF Germany 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
The table lamp shows a multicolored glass ball base with two pressure switches. A special feature of the table lamp is, that one bulb lights the glass ball from inside and the secon...
Category

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Greta M. Grossman "Cobra" Table Lamp for Ralph O. Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The “Cobra” table lamp designed by Greta M. Grossman for Ralph O. Smith in the United States in 1948. A true icon of Mid-Century modern lighting design and winner of the MoMA Good De...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel, Aluminum, Chrome

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Nickeled Copper Table Lamps Attributed to James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of American Mid-Century Modern table lamps typical of James Mont that reference exotic Asian calligraphic forms yet are modern in their ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Nickel, Copper

Norman Perry Asian Modern Table Lamp
Located in Camden, ME
Beautifully executed - this Chinese modern table lamp by the firm of Norman Perry has a textured-bas-relief carved trunk. This lamp is solid, and larger scale than the photographs sh...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Pair of Vintage Wallpaper Roller Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of large-scale vintage wallpaper rollers as lamps, circa 1940. Heavy hardwood cylinder form decorated with solid brass motifs....
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

Handsome Restored Pair of Vintage Wallpaper Rollers as Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional pair of vintage wallpaper rollers as custom lamps. The pieces portray the rich look of aged leather. Fabulous detail and scale....
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Venetian Murano Glass Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Italian 1940's Venetian large, bulbous table lamp composed of iridescent gold Murano glass formed with decorative tonal striations and air bubbles resting upon a round gilt wood base.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Gold Leaf

Tall Pair of Table Lamps in Original Silver Leaf, USA Circa 1940
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Pair of silver leaf table lamps in original condition with minor aging that shows a patina of a red base primer beneath the silver leaf. The height of the wooden body is 26" and 40"...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

Pair of Elegant Alabaster and Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of alabaster and bronze table lamps in very fine, original, working condition. Height to top of socket 23", shades not included.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Nessen lighting co.Swing Arm Desk Lamp
Located in Westport, CT
Polished chrome and black swing arm desk lamp by Nessen Company Bronx partial original label in very good original condition. Many adjustable way t...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Italian 1940s White Murano Glass Lamp with Gold Inclusions and Brass Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
Presenting an Italian 1940s white murano glass lamp with gold Inclusions and a brass base. This lamp features white Murano glass with exquisite gold inclusions, showcasing the crafts...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Restored Pair of Dramatic Vintage Dragon Lamps in Cobalt and Cream
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of vintage ceramic vases as lamps, circa 1940. Fabulous cobalt color with a beautiful, graphic cream dragon motif. Lovely sky blue line detail at the neck and base. E...
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Lucite

Christian Dell Black Desk Lamp for Kaiser Idell
Located in New York, NY
Vintage black metal desk lamp designed by Christian Dell for Kaiser. Germany, circa 1940. In good original condition; light vintage wear. Newly rewired for use in the USA with b...
Category

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage Pair of Large Black Lacquer and Brass Table Lamps by James Mont
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sizeable pair of handmade table lamps with black lacquered wood bases and shades & brass characters by James Mont, circa 1948. Pagoda or Asian temple motif informs this unique design...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Elegant Pair of Cast Asian Lamps on Greek Key Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gorgeous pair of cast metal Asian figure lamps, circa 1940's. Silver leaf finish with beautiful patina and mounted on a hardwood Greek Key style base in black lacquer. Heavy and ...
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Tall Yasha Heifetz Cerused Oak Oval Ring Table Lamp with Brass & Black Accents
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Yasha Heifetz Limed Oak, Brass and Black O Ring Table Lamp, 1940s. Featuring a hand crafted smooth oval form in cerused oak with curved and tubular patinated brass centre...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Table Chandelier/ Girandole by Maison Baguès
Located in New York, NY
A rare French Modern Neoclassical table lamp / chandelier in crystal with a bronzed wrought iron frame with 8 arms. Can be used with candles or be electrified.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal, Wrought Iron

Pair of Art Deco Console Lamps in Brass
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant pair of of lamps in brass. Wonderful statement, a great lighting solution when a narrow profile is required. Restored condition. The price noted is for the pair.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair Rare Russel Wright Ceramic Nude Form on Spun Aluminum Base
Located in New York, NY
Pair Russel Wright ceramic nude table lamps. The ceramic body is mounted on its original spun aluminum base, with the original spun aluminum sock...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Stellar Pair of Restored Monumental Ajoure Pewter and Brass Lamps, circa 1940
Located in Atlanta, GA
A jaw-dropping pair of large scale ajoure style lamps in pewter with brass detail, circa 1940. Asian motif insets with a black lacquer base. Elegant and highly sophisticated jewelry ...
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Sculptural Giltwood Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural giltwood table lamp with original gilded shade in the manner of James Mont, American, 1940s. Measure: 22 inches in diameter with shade.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Giltwood

Vintage Rubber Wallpaper Roll Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Vintage lamp made from a rubber wallpaper roll, originally used to hand print wall paper. USA, circa 1940. Lamp has been fully restored and rewired, us...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Italian 1940s Golden Yellow Murano Glass Lamp
Located in Buchanan, NY
This is a rare and stunning handblown Murano lamp from the 1940s, crafted by skilled artisans in Italy. The lamp features ribbed glass in a beautiful golden yellow hue with intricate...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Pair of British MId-Century Modern Neoclassical Brass Ball Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of British Mid-Century brass ball lamps in the modern neoclassical spirit with a graduated series of brass balls resting on a square base....
Category

1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Extraordinary Table Lamp with Scagliola, Deer's Head Mounts, Lucite Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Quite extraordinary, this Italian table lamp features Lucite foot and cap, a superb scagliola finish and two deer's head mounts. Furthermore, the artist has "peeled away" the scagli...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern table lamps for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table lamps created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern table lamps made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table lamps, popular names associated with this style include Gordon & Jane Martz, Laurel Lamp Company, Marshall Studios, and Bitossi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for table lamps differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $69,000 while the average work can sell for $2,096.

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