In the early 20th century, a Chicago artist named Frederick Cooper found himself captivated by home lighting and electric lamps, which were only common in approximately half of American households during the mid-1920s. Cooper, whose primary media were sculpture and painting, began to design stately, modern table lamps that mirrored the grandeur of the burgeoning architecture in the Windy City.
Cooper accrued some notoriety as a forward-looking lamp designer who combined materials like brass, ceramics, glass and wood to create exquisitely crafted lamps, particularly at a time when the striking chrome finishes and sharp geometric angles of Art Deco lighting had become immensely popular.
The Frederick Cooper Lamp Company was eventually sold to Benjamin Markle and Russian immigrant Leo Gershanov. Under their stewardship after the Second World War, the manufacturer flourished in Chicago and the local lighting artisans at Stiffel gained a formidable competitor. The timing was particularly ripe — the demand for table lamps to furnish new houses exploded, and the company built on Cooper’s artistic reputation and his signature styles.
Lighting designers at Frederick Cooper innovated in the years that followed, integrating alluring materials like glazed ceramics, painted porcelain, marble and jade. Apart from the classic Art Deco designs that defined the studio’s work in its early days, the company’s craftsmen experimented with Asian-inspired designs and produced floor lamps, wall lights, modernist chandeliers and other fixtures in varying furniture styles such as Neoclassical, Hollywood Regency and Empire.
Now owned by Wildwood, the Frederick Cooper Lamp Company has collaborated with many high-profile designers such as Larry Laslo, Mario Buatta and others on a range of lighting projects.
Find an extraordinary collection of Frederick Cooper floor lamps, table lamps and other fixtures on 1stDibs.
Mid Century Modern Brass Desk Lamp
By Arredoluce
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid Century Modern Brass Desk Lamp, in the style of Italian maker Arredoluce, but probably American, circa 1960s. The head pivots to shine light just where you need it. It has been r...
Metal, Brass
American Modern Brass Desk Lamp, Cedric Hartman, 1950s
Located in Queens, NY
American Modern Brass Desk Lamp, Cedric Hartman, 1950s
Brass
Mid-Century Brass Desk Lamp, Cantilevered Design, USA, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century brushed brass desk lamp with a rectangular brass base anchoring a cantilevered lamp with a semicircular brass shade and adjustable swivel / height control circul...
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Italian Desk Lamp
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This lamp is representative of 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian design, blending clean, functional lines with high-end materials like brass. The geometric design, especially in the l...
Brass
$1,511
H 18.9 in W 22.05 in D 3.94 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Large Table Lamp by Florian Schulz, 1960s, Germany
By Florian Schulz
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Crystal Glass and Metal Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1960s, Germany Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. Heavy and large lampshade. It has European plug. It can be converted to othe...
Brass
$1,735Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.18 in W 22.05 in D 7.49 in
Vintage Italian Brass Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Italian vintage brass table lamp (circa 1950s). A timeless desk lamp with delightful mid-century detail including an angled arm extending from the very weighty base. The brass featur...
Brass
$962
H 14.97 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Desk Lamp with Patinated Shade, Circa 1950
Located in London, GB
Modernist brass desk lamp with patinated brown round shade edged in shiny brass is held on a brass angular arm that connects to a square brass base in the style of Bauhaus is made in...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Distressed Brass Desk Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Distressed Brass Condition: Shows Distressed Patina
Brass
1970s Vintage French Brass Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and well made 1970’s vintage French brass desk lamp. It has a fantastic design, the round lamp shade rests loosely in an adjustable basket that can be raised and lowe...
Brass
Cosack Leuchten Brass Desk Lamp Model 7654
By Cosack Leuchten
Located in Mortsel, BE
German Mid-Century Brass Table Light by Gebrüder Cosack An example of West German lighting design from the late 1960s, produced by Gebrüder Cosack (Cosack Leuchten). This Model 7654...
Brass
