Large Brown and Black Mid-Century Modern Bulbous Ceramic Lamp
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern large brown and black bulbous ceramic lamp.
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic, Wood
Large Brown and Black Mid-Century Modern Bulbous Ceramic Lamp
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern large brown and black bulbous ceramic lamp.
Ceramic, Wood
Vintage Mid Century Modern Black Bulbous Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp w/ Spring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Black Speckled Bulbous Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp w/ Spring Collar.
Ceramic
Vintage Mid Century Modern Green Bulbous Ceramic Pottery "Tigers Eye" Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Light Green Bulbous Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp with Brown "Tigers Eye" Spots.
Ceramic
Vintage Mid Century Modern Bulbous Sculpted Swedish Pine Wood Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Bulbous Carved & Sculpted Solid Pine Wood Geometric Wedge Inlay Design Table Lamps - a Pair.
Pine
Vintage Mid Century Modern Bulbous Cork & Wood Sculptural Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Bulbous Cork & Wood Sculptural Table Lamps - a Pair.
Metal
Ceramic Incised Bulbous Table Lamp with Japanese Swimming Fish Motif Mid-Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful hand crafted lamp with a pattern of swimming fish in a deeply incised method.
Ceramic
Pr. Mid Century Space Age Bulbous Form Table Lamps in White Finish c. 1950/70's
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Voguish pair of white on white table lamps of repeating graduated size disks, sometimes referred to as Michelin lamps ( after The Michelin Man ). The lamps are in very good, clean,...
Ceramic
Vintage Hollywood Regency Beige Bulbous Ceramic Snowflake Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hollywood Regency Mid Century Modern Beige Bulbous Ceramic "Snowflake" Table Lamps -a Pair.
Ceramic
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Midcentury Brutalist Style Bulbous Ceramic Table Lamps in Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of very large bulbous ceramic lamps with heavy relief. Colors are beiges, bronze, brown. Measurements are to top of the harp and diameter is the shade.
Ceramic
1940s Italian Murano Glass Table Lamp with Gold Leaf Bulbous Design
Located in Queens, 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.
Gold Leaf
Midcentury French Porcelain Bulbous Table Lamp with Floral Décor on Lucite Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Midcentury porcelain table lamp with floral décor and bulbous shape, mounted on circular lucite base. Experience the charming elegance of this French Midcentury porcelain ta...
Porcelain, Lucite
Blue Glazed Bulbous Ceramic Lamp, Custom Beige Tapered Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Heavy quality large ceramic table floor/table lamp, 1970s. This ceramic lamp base brings rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it offers a unique presence. ...
Ceramic
XL Multicolor Squat Bulbous Ceramic Lamp, Neutral Custom Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Heavy quality one of A kind large ceramic table floor/table lamp, 1970s. This lamp base brings rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it offers a unique pres...
Ceramic
XL Multicolor Squat Bulbous Ceramic Lamp, Green Custom Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Heavy quality one of I kind large ceramic table floor/table lamp, 1970s. This very large ceramic lamp base brings rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it of...
Ceramic
Pair of Flavio Poli Murano Italy Sommerso Glass Bulbous Shaped Table Lamps
By Flavio Poli
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
A fantastic pair of bulbous shaped table lamps designed by Flavio Poli and made by Seguso, Murano. Beautiful sommerso technique with green - blue - clear layers of glass. Height ...
Glass
XL Multicolor Squat Bulbous Ceramic Lamp, Blue Custom Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Heavy quality one of I kind large ceramic table floor/table lamp, 1970s. This very large ceramic lamp base brings rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it of...
Ceramic
A Pair Of Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund Table Lamps in Blue Ceramic Bulbous ca' 1960
By Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of charming lamps by Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund in robin's egg blue with original shades. The bulbous shapes are reminiscent of the work by Ruelland. Not too big in scale-overa...
Ceramic
Mid-Century American Table Lamps with White Frosted Glass, Circa 1955
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century American table lamps with bulbous vase form having an alternating translucent and opaque white frosted glass spiral pattern, resting on clear glass circular bases...
Brass
Large Scale Aldo Londi Studio Ceramic Lamp for Bitossi Imported by Raymor 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Dallas, TX
This sculptural piece exemplifies the bold artistry and rhythmic geometry that defined Londi’s mid-century studio work. The lamp’s bulbous body is finished in a rich raw umber matte ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Bulbous Table Lamp, Modern
Located in Pasadena, CA
Rendered in textured ceramic, this table lamp features a tapered wood neck. It is designed with teardrop reserves and faux wood. Materials: Ceramic, wood Dimensions: Height 36" ...
Ceramic, Wood
White Ceramic Bulbous Monted Mid Century Modern Lamp
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Spectacular white ceramic bulbous lamp with brand new shade from mid century modern.
1950s Mid-Century Modern Yellow and Black Pottery Art Genie Lamp
Located in Church Point, NSW
1950s Mid-Century Modern pottery art lamp Tapered bulbous genie bottle form Wear to black and yellow paint finish as photographed Teak neck Original shade included at buyers ...
Pottery
Sold
H 36 in W 13 in D 13 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Large Spherical Bulbous Mercury Glass Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Oversized Vintage Mid Century Modern Large Spherical Bulbous Mercury Glass Table Lamp.
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 12 in D 12 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Orange Lava Glazed Bulbous Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Orange Lava Dripped Glaze Bulbous Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp.
Ceramic
Sold
H 32 in W 7 in D 7 in
Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Staved Teak Wood Sculptural Bulbous Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Staved Teak Wood Sculptural Bulbous Table Lamp.
Teak
Bulbous Opaline Blue Glass Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Bulbous body with opaline to translucent blue glass body on metal base. Elegant elongated form, sophisticated and chic color way, clean, original, working and ready to use. H to top ...
Mid-Century Modern Green Glass Bulbous Extra Large Bubble Table Lamp
Located in West Hartford, CT
A gorgeous green blown glass large table lamp with floral motif inside glass at base and resin burning candle sculpture at top. Wired for USA and in perfect working order.
Glass, Resin
Large Mid-Century Bulbous Form Matte White Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century bulbous-form table lamp in matte white glaze with subtle pale yellow banding detail. Wide size (16" diameter) with original brass harp and finial. Excellent, vintage c...
Brass
Danish Modern Floor Lamp with Sculptural Bulbous Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern floor lamp with sculptural bulbous base, Denmark, circa 1960's. Rewired and ready to use.
Teak
Bulbous Teak Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bulbous teak table lamp, exaggerated heavy base. Wood measures 15.5 tall and 7.5 round.
Teak
Large Bulbous Brass Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Bulbous brass table lamp This is an unusual Lamp has a large brass base set on a wooden plinth and has scalloped fringed lampshade The lamp is fully wired and in good cond...
Brass
Large French Bulbous Pottery Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Bulbous pottery table lamp The lamp is a large ceramic urn shape which has a herringbone decoration, it is topped of with a new lampshade The lamp and shade are in...
Pottery
Large Bulbous Turned Wood Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large bulbous turned wood table lamp. This is a chunky piece it has been turned in wood. This is a very attractive piece it in good condition for its age, I have shown it with a ...
Wood
Sold
H 19.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Lotte Mid-Century Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Shade in a Squat Bulbous Form
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Lotte Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Shade in a Squat Bulbous Form, The base is a medium brown color with a speckled black highlight, Original Lotte shade, with a replaced socket. ...
Ceramic
1960s George Kovacs Bulbous White Ceramic Lamp
By George Kovacs
Located in New Windsor, NY
Signed George Kovacs designed ceramic lamp. White glaze bulbous bottle cast ceramic lamp, circa 1960. Felted bottom with original Kovacs label. Very good condition with original work...
Ceramic
Large Bulbous Ceramic Lamp by Mark Hines
By Mark Hines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful bulbous ceramic lamp made by Mark Hines and dated 93.The lamp has a beautiful crackled finish and the bottom has a darker finish. The lamp rests on a wood base and it has ...
Brass
Large Bulbous Marcello Fantoni Pottery Table Lamp
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Miami, FL
....SOLD....Wonderful Marcello Fantoni lava glaze pottery lamp with a textured mottled brown mustard color and frothy white splash. Great scale. Rewired and with new UL brass three l...
Pair of Large Bulbous Terra Cotta Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of large scale bulbous terra cotta table lamps with a mediteranian style rustic drippy green glaze.These mid century lamps have the robust form of hanging storage jars. Newly wi...
Sold
H 26.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Walter Van Briggle Turquoise Blue Bulbous Pottery Table Lamp w/ Butterfly Shade
By Van Briggle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Walter Van Briggle Turquoise Blue Bulbous Pottery Table Lamp with Butterfly Shade. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: Overall: 26.5" H x 14" Diameter. Shade: 14.5" H x 14"...
Ceramic, Plastic
Pair of American Midcentury Bulbous Shaped Cork Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Midcentury bulbous shaped cork table lamps with a dark wood base and trim.
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 31.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Large Bulbous Form Stoneware Ceramic Lamp by Lee Rosen, Design Technics
By Design Technics, Lee Rosen
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Modern large bulbous form stoneware lamp with brown horizontal variegated glaze.
Bronze
Sold
H 18 in Dm 15 in
Style David Cressey Bulbous Textured Table Lamp California Pottery Signed, 1970s
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bulbous texturized table lamp Mid-Century Modern Pottery signed Brown circa 1970s Unglazed.
Pottery
Sold
H 35 in W 12 in D 12 in
Vintage Italian Glazed Ceramic Bulbous Table Lamp With Texture Green, Blues
Located in North Miami, FL
This commanding vintage Italian glazed and textured ceramic lamp is from the 60;s. It is bulbous and the play of colors of blues to greens with textured gold applications make this a...
Ceramic, Wood
Sold
H 14.5 in Dm 6 in
Opaque Glass Bulbous Mushroom Lamps Style of Lisa Johansson-Pape Orno Stockmann
By Stockmann-Orno, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Iittala
Located in Topeka, KS
This outstanding vintage Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian Modern pair are in wonderful vintage condition.
Blown Glass
Sold
H 35.44 in Dm 15.75 in
1970s Large Pair of Tessellated Bulbous Table Lamps by Maison Delisle, French
By Maison Delisle
Located in London, GB
Pair of elegant large table lamps, designed by Maison Delisle in the 1970s. The original black lampshades are lined with gold, offering a warm and luxurious glow when the lamps are l...
Wood
Chapman Silver Plate Lamp with Linen Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A restored mid century Chapman lamp with a large bulbous body of silver plate. The white base, and finial contrast nicely with the oatmeal linen shade. A wonderful piece for neutral ...
Silver Plate
Huge Pair of Danish, Mid-Century Modern, Bulbous Orange Drip Glaze Lamps
By Sunset Lamps
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing pair of huge bulbous orange drip glazed lamps. You will love the gorgeous array of sunrise orange colors along with the sheer size. These lamps are in fantastic vintage con...
Brass
Sold
H 16.5 in W 11.25 in D 11.25 in
3 Mid Century Modern Beige Glass Bulbous Ginger Jar Urn Table Lamps 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Three mid 20th century glass table lamps featuring a bulbous ginger jar shape, reverse painted a slightly pinkish beige, with brass bases. Includes harps and simple cap shaped finial...
Glass
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Organic Bulbous Round Ceramic Pottery Table Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of large Mid Century Modern sculptural ceramic pottery table lamps.
Metal, Brass
Pair of Bulbous Orange Drip Glaze Table Lamps
By Mutual Sunset Lamp Co.
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mod drip glaze large scale table lamps. Each lamp has high gloss multi-color over black matte ground. Both are in fine, original, working condition, shades not included. Meas...
Ceramic
Pair of Bulbous Plaster Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of midcentury bulbous lamps. The plaster portion is 14.5" high and 14" diameter. Total height from base to the bottom of socket is 16". Lamps have been professionally rewired. ...
Plaster
Pr. Mid Century Table Lamps by the Fortune Lamp Co. 1961
Located in New York, NY
Impressive, large scale pair of mid century table lamps, having bulbous ceramic bodies, with dimensional ribbed surfaces, and faux wood finished metal bases and tops. Both are in g...
Metal
Large Mid-Century Modern Art Pottery Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Vibrant Mid-Century Modern ceramic lamp. The large bulbous shape with abstract floral decoration and caved outline set off on a taupe-gray textured background.
Pottery
Deeply Textured Large Bulbous Form Pottery Table Lamp
By Design Techniques
Located in Ferndale, MI
Interesting pattern and glaze on this large bulbous form pottery lamp.
Pottery, Terracotta
Pair of Large Bulbous Form Ceramic Table Lamps
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Pair large ceramic table lamps of bulbous teardrop form having high glaze ground with organic textured volcanic glaze spots as decorative motif. Both are in good, original and workin...
Ceramic
Tyndale Midcentury American Silver Mercury Glass Bulbous Ginger Jar Table Lamp
By Tyndale
Located in Chicago, IL
Manufactured in Chicago, Tyndale lamps continue to be some of the most coveted antique light fixtures on the market. This monumental example in mercury glass with a bulbous, ribbed s...
Mercury Glass
Large Karl Springer Style Black Ceramic Bulbous Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
The lamps have a high gloss glaze finish, brass hardware and feature two light sockets with adjustable socket height. Measurements are to top of finial as pictured. The lamp base (ju...
Metal
Italian Murano Bulbous Glass Desk Lamp with Lucite Base
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful bulbuos glass lamp base, in white and clear Murano sommerso glass base, completly rewired, polished lucite base with lucite finial and polished brass pipping, with new whit...
Brass
Bulbous Table Lamp Ribbed Mercury Glass 1950s Mexican Modernism Luis Barragan
By Luis Barragan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Table Lamp Mexican Modernism Magnificent Mercury Table Lamp Bulbous Shape Mexico circa 1950s. Unmarked. Attribution designer Luis Barragan. Dimensions: H 16 in. x diameter 10 in. Or...
Mercury Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of Scandinavian Brass Lamps Mid century
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Magnificent pair of Scandinavian brass lamps from the 1960s. These mid-century bulbous shaped lamps have a polished brass body and candelabra design. Very good condition Measures :...
Brass
Ceramic and Bamboo Mid Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern table lamp having a bulbous ceramic body with bamboo trim, on wood plinth.
Ceramic, Bamboo
Midcentury Century Bulbous Art Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A mid-20th century pottery art vase of bulbous form, decorated with foliage upon a caramel ground. Now wired as a table lamp Height dimensions refer to height of pottery vase only...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Bulbous Pottery Art Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A mid-twentieth century studio pottery vase, the bulbous body with thrown ringlets and an ochre glaze. Now mounted as a table lamp. Dimensions refer to ceramic elements. Displa...
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 35.44 in W 6.11 in D 6.11 in
Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Modern French Tall Bulbous Chrome Table/Floor Lamps
By George Kovacs
Located in London, England
An elegant pair of 1960s Mid-Century Modern lamps with polished chrome spheres or orbs in the style of George Kovacs. The lamps are very versatile and can be used as either table or ...
Metal, Chrome
Large-Scale Bulbous over Glazed Table Lamp
Located in Hudson, NY
Bright over glazed ceramic lamp in hues of greens, golds and oranges. All new mounting hardware and wiring. Sits on Lucite disc base with brass trims. 17" diameter and 28" to top of ...
Bulbous Italian White Ceramic Table Lamp by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Asheville, NC
Stunning and stately, this finely sculpted Italian ceramic table lamp makes quite a statement. Beautiful matte glaze is subtle, works well with the soft curves. 34" height to socke...
1970s Peill & Putzler Frosted Bulbous Glass Lamp Base and Shade
By Peill & Putzler
Located in London, England
1970s Peill & Putzler frosted bulbous glass lamp base and shade. A push button on/off switch is situated on the black flex. In very good vintage condition. The white linen shade is b...
Wire
Bulbous Form Table Lamp by Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund with Original Shade
By Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare copper glaze Bostlund table lamp. Original string and fiberglass shade. New wiring. Retains original label. 24.5" to top of shade. lamp base is 10.75" diameter x 12" H.
Sold
H 61.03 in W 10.24 in D 10.24 in
Pair of 1960s Tall Swedish Brass & Glass Bulbous Floor Lamps inc Original Shades
Located in London, England
A pair of very elegant tall brass bulbous floor lamps made during the 1960s in Swedish. Each lamp is composed of 6 brass spheres decorated with moulded glass collarettes joined toget...
Brass
Bulbous Form Design Technics Pottery Lamp
By Design Technics, Lee Rosen
Located in Providence, RI
Design Technics pottery lamp, by Lee Rosen, circa 1966. Lamp body has a wonderful, bulbous form, with a magnesium white glaze. Lamp has been completely re-wired for safety, as all vi...
Brass
Pair of Ceramic Yellow Bulbous Table Lamps
By Jacques and Dani Ruelland
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two large ceramic table lamps in vibrant yellow. Wood accents, bulbous form.
Ceramic
Paul Laszlo Bulbous Lavender Table Lamps
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed for the Kreedman residence.
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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Well-crafted antique and vintage table lamps do more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior.
Proper table lamps have long been used for lighting our most intimate spaces. Perfect for lighting your nightstand or reading nook, table lamps play an integral role in styling an inviting room. In the years before electricity, lamps used oil. Today, a rewired 19th-century vintage lamp can still provide a touch of elegance for a study.
After industrial milestones such as mass production took hold in the Victorian era, various design movements sought to bring craftsmanship and innovation back to this indispensable household item. Lighting designers affiliated with Art Deco, which originated in the glamorous roaring ’20s, sought to celebrate modern life by fusing modern metals with dark woods and dazzling colors in the fixtures of the era. The geometric shapes and gilded details of vintage Art Deco table lamps provide an air of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style.
After launching in 1934, Anglepoise lamps soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted the fixture as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.” The popular task light owed to a collaboration between a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine and a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons.
Some mid-century modern table lamps, particularly those created by the likes of Joe Colombo and the legendary lighting artisans at Fontana Arte, bear all the provocative hallmarks associated with Space Age design. Sculptural and versatile, the Louis Poulsen table lamps of that period were revolutionary for their time and still seem innovative today.
If you are looking for something more contemporary, industrial table lamps are demonstrative of a newly chic style that isn’t afraid to pay homage to the past. They look particularly at home in any rustic loft space amid exposed brick and steel beams.
Before you buy a desk lamp or table lamp for your living room, consider your lighting needs. The Snoopy lamp, designed in 1967, or any other “banker’s lamp” (shorthand for the Emeralite desk lamps patented by H.G. McFaddin and Company), provides light at a downward angle that is perfect for writing, while the Fontana table lamp and the beloved Grasshopper lamp by Greta Magnusson-Grossman each yield a soft and even glow. Some table lamps require lampshades to be bought separately.
Whether it’s a classic antique Tiffany table lamp, a Murano glass table lamp or even a bold avant-garde fixture custom-made by a contemporary design firm, the right table lamp can completely transform a room. Find the right one for you on 1stDibs.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.