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.
Rams Head Antiques
Pretty Brass Ships Gimbal Table Lamp
£ 365
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Brass Table Lamps
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Murano Glass Table Lamps
£ 1,100
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Chrome, Marble & Acrylic Table Lamps
£ 1,100
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair of Corinthium Column Lamps
£ 695
Church Street Antiques
Pair of 1920s Chinoiserie Table Lamps
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Marble Table Lamps
£ 1,250
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Large Antique Giltwood Table Lamp
£ 140
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Giltwood Table Lamp
£ 120
Roger Grimes Antiques
Tall Brass 1920s Table Lamp
£ 180
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Chinoiserie Table Lamp
£ 140
Marylebone Antiques
Large Vintage Italian Burr Walnut & Chrome Table Lamp
£ 575
£ 675
Spanish Art Deco Ebonised Solid Turned Wooden Eggs & Brass Bases Table Lamps
£ 675
Koos Limburg Jnr
Fincraigs Antiques
Antique Brass Paraffin Lamp Converted to Electric
£ 485
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Pair of Unusual & Attractive Brass Painted Lamps
£ 995
Athey Antiques
Adjustable Desk Lamp
£ 295
Athey Antiques
Adjustable Desk Lamp
£ 395
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Attractive Pair of American Bronze Mounted Porcelain Lamps
£ 695
Attractive Pair of American Bronze Mounted Porcelain Lamps
£ 695
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Koos Limburg Jnr
Classic Pair of Black / White Marble & Bronze Table Lamps
£ 675
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Green Marble Lamp Gilt Bronze
£ 875
Tom Scott Antiques
Pair of Sheraton Style Inlaid Column Lamps
£ 395
Rams Head Antiques
Pair of Antique Lamps Gilt Bronze & Blue Overlay Glass French
£ 1,850
Rams Head Antiques
Beautiful Pair of Late 19th Century Samson Table Lamps
£ 985
£ 575
Art Deco Style Pair of Very Stylish Original Patinated Metal Table Lamps
£ 575
Koos Limburg Jnr
Millers Antiques
Pair of 19th Century Ormolu Table Lamps
£ 850
£ 425
£ 395
£ 475
William Rand Antiques
Art Deco Lady Lamp Atrributed Lorenzl
£ 725
William Rand Antiques
French Art Nouveau Glass Table Lamp Les Lumieres Du Nancy
£ 275
William Rand Antiques
Arts & Crafts Hand Hammered Pewter Table Lamp
£ 145
£ 650
Church Street Antiques
Edwardian Double Helix Brass Table Lamp
£ 380
£ 550
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Italian Majolica Table Lamp
£ 485
Tom Scott Antiques
Pair of Georgian Style Column Lamps with String Inlay
£ 395
Tom Scott Antiques
Brass Bobbin Lamp (inc Postage)
£ 225
JMR Antiques Ltd
19th Century Spanish Blue & White Table Lamp
£ 795
£ 530