Modern Table Lamps
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Period: 1940s
Chapman Lighting 1940s Brushed Brass and Ebonized Metal Articulated Desk Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
a quality lamp made by Chapman Manufacturing Company, USA, the swivel shade fitted with a standard socket and frosted glass panel raised on adjustable brass arms all over a rectangu...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modernist Copper Desk Lamp by Adnet
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Rare Modernist style diminutive copper desk lamp with adjustable shade by Adnet.
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Copper
Modern wood table lamp, France circa 1940
Located in Firenze, IT
Modern wood table lamp
France circa 1940s
aluminum, wood
H 57 cm - 44 x 24 cm
Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
American Designer, Table Lamps, Walnut, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of sizeable walnut table lamps designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 18.5” H x 5.5” Diameter
Dimensions of Shade (inches): 10" Top Diameter...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Walnut
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-coloured, frosted glass and brass table lamp designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Overall Dimensions (inches): 14.85" H x 11.85” W x 3” D
Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulb...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A two-armed brass and gilded opaline glass table lamp designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Overall Dimensions (inches): 17.75” H x 10” W x 7.25” D
Bulb Specifications: E-12 Bul...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
1977 George Nelson Half-Nelson Reflector Table Lamp by Koch & Lowy in Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommonly seen Half-Nelson reflector table lamp, designed by George Nelson and manufactured by Koch & Lowy in the late 1970s. This design was initially created ca. 1949-1...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Murano, Table Lamps, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pink glass and brass table lamps, designed and produced in Murano, Italy, c. 1940s.
Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 14" H x 4" Diameter
Dimensions of Shade (inches): 4" Top ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Aldo Tura, Table Lamp, Brass, Oak, Fabric, Paper, Italy, 1940s
By Aldo Tura
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, oak, fabric and paper table lamp, designed and produced by Aldo Tura, Italy, c. 1940s.
Overall Dimensions: 10.25" H x 6.25" Diameter
Bulb Specifications: E-26 Bulb
Number...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Set of Danish Modern Le Klint Glass Table Lamps, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
A pair of exquisite blue glass desk lamps designed by Esben Klint for Le Klint in 1949. This rare and captivating set is from the 1980s. These lamps ha...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Blown Glass, Plastic
Pair of Chrome Metal and Wood Table Lamps by Casa Comte Buenos Aires, circa 1940
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of chrome metal and wood table lamps by Casa Comte Buenos Aires, Argentina, circa 1940.
Category
1940s Argentine Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy gilt Murano glass stem lamp with custom silk shade in the style of Barovier. Giltwood base. Restored and rewired with gold twist cord.
Cu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Wood
Original Jumo 600 Chrome Lamp Selected by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Jumo 600 chrome lamp selected by Charlotte Perriand. This lamp was designed by Yves JUjeau, Pierre and Andre MOunique in the 1940s and selected by Ch...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Rare Hand Painted Cylinder Table lamp by TYE of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Hand Painted Cylinder Table lamp by Tye of California. Signed.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic, Abalone
Ribbed Salt Glaze Ceramic Lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ribbed salt glaze ceramic lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics. Also in the style of Alberto Giacometti for Jean-Michel Frank. Shade Dimensions: 12...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Gilt Murano glass stem lamp with custom silk shade in the style of Barovier. Gilt wood base. Restored and rewired with gold twist cord.
C...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Brass Desk Lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A table lamp of patinated brass, with adjustable and curved neck. Swiveling top and bottom, adjustable in both height and angle. Switch located on the base.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Original Jumo 600 Chrome Lamp Selected by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Jumo 600 chrome lamp selected by Charlotte Perriand. This lamp was designed by Yves JUjeau, Pierre and Andre MOunique in the 1940s and selected by Ch...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Pair of Obelisk-Form Lamps in Rosewood, 1940s
By James Mont
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A robust pair of 1940s obelisk-form table lamps executed in rosewood with decorative, gilt wood details. Highest quality, more than substantial in weight and in presence, and in exce...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Rosewood, Giltwood
Original Jumo 600 Chrome Lamp Selected by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Jumo 600 chrome lamp selected by Charlotte Perriand. This lamp was designed by Yves Jujeau, Pierre and Andre MOunique in the 1940s and selected by Ch...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy gilt Murano glass stem lamp with custom silk shade in the style of Barovier. giltwood base. Restored and rewired with gold twist cord.
Cu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy gilt Murano glass stem lamp with custom silk shade in the style of Barovier. Giltwood base. Restored and rewired with gold twist cord.
Cu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
David Wurster Double Head Brass Desk Lamp with Barrel Shades, C. 1950
Located in Bainbridge, NY
David Wurster articulating two head brass desk lamp. Featuring finely crafted directional lighting with two adjustable arms, four ball sockets, two natu...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
French Table Lamp, 1940s with Cut Glass Base and Red Silk Shade
Located in Vienna, Austria
Charming small table lamp with a base formed through cut glass and brass montage elements.
A cone shape shade in red silk, is based on the original form.
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Cut Glass
Ribbed Salt Glaze Ceramic Lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ribbed salt glaze ceramic lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics. Also in the style of Alberto Giacometti for Jean-Michel Frank. Shade dimensions: 12...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Ercole Barovier "A Stelle" Large, Rare, Murano Glass Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare and early Murano lamp by the well known artist Ercole Barovier. The glass alone measures approximate, 16" high and 9" diameter. The silver plate base and top shows pat...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass
Green Wood Block Pair Custom Table Lamps. Unique, Graphic Design One-of-a-Kind
Located in Houston, TX
The lamps are of our design using vintage hand-painted wood blocks. The blocks are an interesting green with white lines. The base has been newly added when we wired them. The shades...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood
Shirley Zric "Deck of Cards" Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Table Lamp, 1950's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Signed Black Wood encased Painted Ceramic Tile "Playing Cards" Table Lamp. Featuring a wide rectangular Black enameled wood frame inset with six glazed glazed White ceramic tiles, hand painted with the Queen of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Pair of Late Art Deco Russel Wright Style White and Black Enamel Table Lamps
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair Russel Wright style Late Art Deco White Enameled Metal & Black Lacquered Wood Bedside Lamps, Desk Lamps. Featuring Industrial Modernist Black a...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Gilt Murano Glass Stem Lamp with Custom Silk Shade in the style of Barovier. Gilt wood base. Restored and rewired with gold twist cord.
C...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Original Jumo 600 Chrome Lamp Selected by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Jumo 600 chrome lamp selected by Charlotte Perriand. This lamp was designed by Yves JUjeau, Pierre and Andre MOunique in the 1940s and selected by Ch...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Rare Hand Painted Cylinder Table lamp by TYE of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Hand Painted Cylinder Table lamp by Tye of California. Signed.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Ribbed Salt Glaze Ceramic Lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ribbed Salt Glaze Ceramic Lamp by Lee Rosen for Design Technics. Also in the style of Alberto Giacometti for Jean-Michel Frank. Shade Dimensions: 12...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Wood, Ceramic
Pair of Cased Murano Glass Figural Lamps by Alfredo Barbini
Located in Danville, CA
Spectacular, one of a kind pair of lamps with dancing figures cased in clear Murano glass by Alfredo Barbini. They have been rewired with new Gold twisted Rayon cords and European s...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Marble, Fabric, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A four-armed brass, marble and white fabric table lamp designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 14.5” H x 10.5” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern table lamps made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table lamps, popular names associated with this style include Artemide, Flos, Pablo Designs, and Vistosi. 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.
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