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Martz Ceramic Pottery

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Gordon & Jane Martz Ceramic Pottery Table Lamps in White Glaze and Teak 1960s
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Troy, MI
A pair of model no. 203 ceramic table lamps designed by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Stoneware, Teak

Tea Pot by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Gordon and Jane Martz ceramic tea pot is a stunning piece of functional art that seamlessly
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Jane and Gordon Martz Pottery Ceramic Trays Catch Alls
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Diego, CA
Leaf pattern trays or catch alls by Jane and Gordon Martz for their company, Marshall Studios
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic

Jane and Gordon Martz Pottery Ceramic Dish Catch All
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Dish, tray, or catch-all by Jane and Gordon Martz for their company, Marshall Studios. Natural clay
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Ceramic

Marshall Studios Martz Ceramic Triangular Incised Pottery Midcentury Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
catalog dimensions can be purchased upon request. ?? WHAT IS IT? — This absolutely gigantic Martz
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Burlap, Walnut

Mid Century Stacked Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp by Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century ceramic and walnut lamp by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. This oversized
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Martz / Marshall Studios Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp — Satin Speckled White Glaze
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
What is it? — Another gem from the masters of mid century lightning – Gordon and Jane Martz. This
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Martz Stoneware Ceramic Pottery Lamp for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage stoneware ceramic pottery lamp designed by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios Inc
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Mid-Century Ceramic Pottery Lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning organic lamp rendered in natural beige brown ceramic pottery by Jane & Gordon Martz for
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Martz Blue Ceramic Catchall Ashtray
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Miami, FL
Baby blue glazed stoneware ashtray designed by Gordon & Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. The rarely
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Martz Marshall Studios Dark Matte Brown Pottery Table Lamp
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Garnerville, NY
The signature stepped and delicately tapered cylindrical pottery table lamps produced by Marshall
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery, Ceramic

Art Pottery Ceramic Table Lamp
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern art pottery table lamp. Rust brown and green colors.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Pottery Coffee Set with Matching Cups by Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant coffee or tea set by Marshall Studios/Martz consisting of a large coffee pot with
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Pottery Globe Shape Lamp Green Blue Stripes
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Green and blue striped decorated pottery globe table lamp. Mid-Century Modern design.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Large Gordon Martz Marshall Studios Midcentury Art Pottery Table Lamp
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large, Mid-Century Modern, art pottery, table lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios features
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

Mid Century Double Stacked Stoneware Pottery Lamp by Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage hand thrown ceramic pottery lamp by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios. This
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Walnut, Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Tan Art Pottery Table Lamp by Gordon Martz
By Gordon Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, art pottery, table lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios features an
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Tomato Red Glazed Art Pottery Ceramic Pendant Light Fixture
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Tomato Red Glazed Art Pottery Ceramic Pendant Light Fixture
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Tall Stacked Art Pottery Table Lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall and impressive, stacked ceramic, art pottery table lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

Pair of Complimentary Ceramic Table Lamps by Gordon & Jane Martz with Shades
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular pair of Complimentary table lamps by Gordon & Jane Martz. Both have shades and both are
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery, Hardwood

Pair of Large Ceramic Art Pottery Bases Decorative Caramel Glaze
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern large ceramic vase shape glazed table lamps.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery

Art Pottery Brown Striped Table Lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large, art pottery table lamp by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios features a muted gray, striped
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tall Vase Jag Shape Handle Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern elegant ceramic table lamp, measure: 25" tall.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios Brushed Olive Green Pottery Table Lamp, 1950's
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Bainbridge, NY
). 21H to top of socket. 15H to top of ceramic. Signed, Martz to side. 178 Lamp design as seen on page 23
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

Triple Colored Glazed Pierced Pottery Ceramic Shades Pendant Light Fixture MINT!
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Triple Colored Glazed Pierced Pottery Ceramic Shades Pendant Light Fixture Chandelier MINT! Triple
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Jane & Gordon Martz - Pottery Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare handmade potter lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Unique and elegant design
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Martz Marshall Studios Matte White Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Garnerville, NY
The signature stepped and delicately tapered cylindrical pottery table lamps produced by Marshall
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery, Ceramic

Pair Italian Brown Cream Yellow Drip Glaze Ceramic Pottery Cylinder Shape Lamps
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Italian Brown Cream Yellow Drip Glaze Ceramic Pottery Cylinder Shape Table Lamps MINT!
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Large Ceramic Glazed Pottery Yellow & Olive Reed Grass Bamboo Pattern Lamp Mint!
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large ceramic glazed pottery yellow & olive reed grass bamboo pattern lamp mint!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Walnut

Gordon & Jane Martz Green Stoneware Table Lamp, 1950s
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Jane & Gordon Martz green pottery table lamp. Has teak neck and original teak finial. Signed Martz
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Teak

Olive Green Art Pottery Ceramic Vase Shape Table Lamp Turned Walnut Base MINT
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Olive Green Art Pottery Ceramic Vase Shape Table Lamp Turned Walnut Base MINT
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Pair of MCM Ceramic Tile and Walnut Bookends by Jane & Gordon Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of MCM ceramic tile and walnut bookends by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Pottery, Walnut

Pair of Brown Grey Blue Glazed Pottery Ceramic Vase Shape Table Lamp MINT!
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Brown Grey Blue Glazed Pottery Ceramic Vase Shape Table Lamp MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Martz Tootsie Roll American Studio Craft Art Pottery Table Lamp Marshall
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful triple segmented monumental table lamp. Lamp is wonderful condition, but the old Shader is in fair/poor condition, but will included if desired. Measures: Lamp diameter ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Vase Shape Glazed Ceramic Pottery Walnut Table Lamps
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern vase shape glazed table lamps.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Pottery and Walnut Table Lamp
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern pottery ceramic and walnut cone shape table lamp. It features very
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps
By Gerald Thurston, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Art Pottery and Walnut "Twisted" Pattern Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern twisted pattern pottery table lamp. Red white brown.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Ceramic Lamp by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pottery table lamp designed by award winning husband and wife duo Jane and Gordon Martz for
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Large Oversize Glazed Pottery Table lamp Blue and Chrome
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Striking basket weave pattern vase shape Mid-Century Modern ceramic table lamp.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Large David Cressey Vintage Ceramic Lamp Base
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Chicago, IL
A large Danish modern style vintage ceramic lamp base by David Cressey. In the manner of Gordon
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery

Pierced Cube Shape Glazed to High Gloss Pottery Table Lamps MINT!
By James Mont, Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of vintage circa 1970s glazed Art pottery table lamps. Dark olive green gloss glaze.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp with Glazed Stripped Body
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Mid-Century Modern pottery table lamp with stripped brown tone body on walnut plinth base
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid Century Modern Silver Leaf Finish Table Lamp with Onion Shape MINT!
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Modern Silver Leaf Finish Table Lamp with Onion Shape MINT! Black lacquered wood base.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Cone Shape Geometrical Pattern Pierce Pattern Base Table Lamp
By Gordon Martz
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern cone shape Geometrical pattern pierce pattern base table lamp on walnut base. 3 sockets fixture.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut, Ceramic, Pottery

Monumental Martz Pottery Table Floor Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St. Louis, MO
Beautiful oversized Martz pottery lamp with original shade. Overall very nice condition and in
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern Gordon Martz Pottery Lamp
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Southampton, NY
Stoneware pottery by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, Inc. Made in USA. The pottery and ceramics
Category

Mid-20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid-century Modern Gordon Martz Pottery Lamp
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Southampton, NY
Stoneware pottery by Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, Inc. Made in USA. The pottery and ceramics
Category

Mid-20th Century American Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Early Gordon & Jane Martz Marshall Studios Large Pottery Pitcher
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Denver, CO
And early studio production, signed Martz and dated 1953, Gordon and Jane Martz large 11.5" tall
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Sgraffito Ceramic Clock by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, George Nelson, Martz Sgraffito, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Framingham, MA
Rare form Martz clock - this is an early one. Still works. Original wiring. Lovely Sgraffito
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Midcentury Ceramic Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking midcentury hexagonal ceramic table lamp by Gordon & Jane Martz, circa 1950s. This
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Wood

Midcentury Ceramic Table Lamp
Midcentury Ceramic Table Lamp
H 25 in W 7.25 in D 6.25 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Shade
By Marshall Studios, Paul McCobb, Bitossi, Design Technics, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Framingham, MA
Lovely Large Incised Sgraffito Ceramic Mid-Century Modern table lamp with the original Fiberglass
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Leather, Pottery, Fiberglass

Monumental Italian Modern Round Wall Sculpture by Gli Etruschi, 1977
By Marcello Fantoni, Bitossi, Guido Gambone, Gli Etruschi, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Framingham, MA
Incredible large modernist ceramic wall hanging bowl by renown Italian potter Gli Etruschi. This
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Gordon Martz Pottery Serving Platter Centrepiece
By Gordon Martz
Located in Garnerville, NY
Wonderful and rare form signed Gordon Martz serving platter centrepiece. Large matte glazed pottery
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Vintage Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios Tall Ceramic Pottery Teak Table Lamp
By Gordon Martz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios tall ceramic pottery teak table lamp. Item features teak
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

Gordon Martz Large Scale Ceramic Vessel
By Gordon Martz
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This Martz ceramic vessel in a rarely seen large scale shows off a sturdy platform base in
Category

Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Martz / Marshall Studios Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp — Satin Aqua Glaze
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
What is it? — Another gem from the masters of mid century lightning – Gordon and Jane Martz. A
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Martz / Marshall Studios Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp, Brown, White, Stoneware
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
What is it? — Another gem from the masters of mid century lightning – Gordon and Jane Martz. This
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Martz / Marshall Studios Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp — Matte Blue Glaze
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
💡 WHAT IS IT? — Another gem from the masters of mid century lightning – Gordon and Jane Martz. A
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Martz / Marshall Studios Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp, Brown, White, Stoneware
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
What is it? — Another gem from the masters of mid century lightning – Gordon and Jane Martz
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

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Martz Ceramic Pottery For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of martz ceramic pottery for your home. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using ceramic, wood and pottery. Your living room may not be complete without an item from our selection of martz ceramic pottery — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A choice in our collection of martz ceramic pottery is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern styles are sought with frequency. A well-made object in our assortment of martz ceramic pottery has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz and Martz Sgraffito are consistently popular.

How Much is a Martz Ceramic Pottery?

A piece of martz ceramic pottery can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,400, while the lowest priced sells for $200 and the highest can go for as much as $6,130.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

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.

Finding the Right Table-lamps for You

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.