Following on from simple gas lamps and candlesticks, the advent of electricity at the end of the 19th Century gave designers the opportunity to fundamentally re-imagine our lighting. Soon innovative and beautifully elegant designs emerged inspired by nature as well as by modern industrial life. Indeed because electric lamps had no ancestral precedent they were free to be bold, quirky and brave- and many were. Today we are fortunate to have over 100 years of desk and table lamp designs to choose from, incorporating all manner of materials and forms.
To many people desk lamps really excelled in quality during the 1920s to 1950s when design was both modern and functional. You could find examples covered in thick Italian leather, made of bright eye-catching new plastics or even contrasting sleek polished metals. The classic articulated arm emerged in the 1930s both from Herbert Terry in the UK and companies like Jielde in France and after being popular in factories and offices earned a permanent spot in our homes as well. Table lamps in contrast were always intended for the home use and came in all manner of forms and materials with paper or cloth covered shades to soften the glare of the lightbulb. Although there are many designs of modern lamp we can choose from also, older examples usually have the added beauty of patination and wear.
At LoveAntiques we have a great selection of appealing antique and vintage lamps from reputable sellers across the UK.
JMR Antiques Ltd
19th Century Spanish Blue & White Table Lamp
£ 795
£ 530
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Swedish Leather Bound Table Lamps
£ 525
Marylebone Antiques
1960s Pair of Vintage Brass Desk / Table Lamps
£ 575
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Style Students Desk Lamp
£ 350
Church Street Antiques
Edwardian Brass Bank Clerk's Desk Lamp
£ 495
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Near Pair of Very Attractive Ceramic Lamps
£ 425
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Murano Glass Mushroom Lamps
£ 1,150
Georgian Antiques
Pair of EPNS Table Lamps
£ 700
Artsonline.org.uk
Incredible Quality Large 19th Century Bronze Ormolu Mounted Sevres Porcelain Table Lamp
£ 1,250
Incredible Quality Large 19th Century Bronze Ormolu Mounted Sevres Porcelain Table Lamp
£ 1,250
Artsonline.org.uk
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Early 20th Century Nickel Anglepoise Desk Lamp
£ 395
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Regency Style Brass Library Lamp
£ 945
Marylebone Antiques
French Art Deco Brass & Marble Desk Lamp
£ 445
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Onyx & Gilded Brass Table Lamp
£ 545
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Onyx & Gilded Brass Table Lamp
£ 545
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
William Rand Antiques
Stylish Art Deco Tulip Vase Lamp
£ 245
Debenham Antiques Ltd
1960s Brass & Leather Oscillating Table Lamp
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Large Pair of French Marble Table Lamps
£ 1,250
artsncraftsfurniture
Arts & Crafts Brass Table Lamp
£ 100
London Fine Ltd
Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonne Table Lamp - Meiji c.1850
£ 895
£ 450
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unusual Quality Antique Victorian Oil Lamp
£ 545
The Antique Warehouse
Table Lamp: Attractive Vintage Ceramic Table Lamp, in the Style of Clarice Cliff
£ 50
Table Lamp: Attractive Vintage Ceramic Table Lamp, in the Style of Clarice Cliff
£ 50
The Antique Warehouse
£ 450
Church Street Antiques
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Table Lamp
£ 980
Martlesham Antiques
19th Century Japanese Brass Table Lamp
£ 980
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Adam Style Lamps
£ 900
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Cast Bronze Lamps
£ 800
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Silver Plated Column Table Lamp
£ 195
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Brass & Glass Table Lamps
£ 1,650
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Murano Glass Mushroom Lamp by Peil & Putzler
£ 495
Koos Limburg Jnr
Beautiful Pair of Metal Original Patinated Table Lamps c.1900
£ 675
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Late 19th Century / Early 20th Century Brass Table Lamp
£ 380
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Large Vintage Italian Brass & Glass Table Lamps
£ 2,250
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Ceramic & Brass Table Lamps
£ 945
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Gilt Metal Table Lamp
£ 375
Jo Brayshaw
Rare Art Deco Table Lamp 1949
£ 950
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Neoclassical Style Bronze Table Lamps
£ 575
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Spelter Lady Lamp with Crackle Glaze Globe Shade
£ 675
Art Deco Spelter Lady Lamp with Crackle Glaze Globe Shade
£ 675
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Jo Brayshaw
Art Deco Elephant Table Lamp c.1930
£ 875
Deco Original Ltd
Art Deco Chrome Table Lamp
£ 165