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.
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Desk Lamp
£ 1,650
White’s Antiques
Pair of Eiffel Tower Glass Lamps - France 1960s
£ 580
£ 775
Impressive Pair of Japanese Brass & Enamel Champlevé Japanese Table Lamps
£ 775
Koos Limburg Jnr
London City Antiques
Antique Pair of Corinthian Column Brass Table Lamps
£ 1,685
CS & T Ornate Furniture
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Table Lamps
£ 485
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Gondola Lamp P Sega France 1920s
£ 950
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Walnut & Inlaid Table Lamp & Shade
£ 250
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Art Deco Spelter Lady Lamp 1930s
£ 950
£ 249
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Table Lamp by Boulanger
£ 525
£ 675
Spinka & Co
Pair of Victorian Table Lamps in Brass
£ 450
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Brass Oil Lamp with Etched Amber Glass Shade
£ 745
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Brass Bouillotte Table Lamp with Tole Shade
£ 325
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Vintage Brass Bouillotte Style Table Lamp with Green Tole Shade
£ 325
Vintage Brass Bouillotte Style Table Lamp with Green Tole Shade
£ 325
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
CS & T Ornate Furniture
Art Deco-style Table Lamp in the Manor of Tiffany
£ 180
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Victorian Silver Plated Corinthian Column Lamp
£ 240
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Marble & Gilt Bronze Table Lamp
£ 675
CS & T Ornate Furniture
Pair of Regency Style Table Lamps Neoclassical Bases Paw Feet Cream Fabric Shades with Beaded Fringe
£ 195
Pair of Regency Style Table Lamps Neoclassical Bases Paw Feet Cream Fabric Shades with Beaded Fringe
£ 195
CS & T Ornate Furniture
£ 475
Rams Head Antiques
Stylish Art Deco Copper Desk Lamp c.1920
£ 465
Judy Fox Antiques
Pair of Early 20th Century Crystal & Ormolu Table Lamps
£ 2,500
£ 1,600
Pair of Art Nouveau Jugendstil Ceramic Vase Table Lamps, Otto Eckman Style
£ 1,600
Judy Fox Antiques
William Rand Antiques
Early 20th Century Ormolu Table Lamp
£ 250
William Rand Antiques
Edwardian Silver Plated Table Lamp
£ 165
William Rand Antiques
Beautiful Cut Glass Crystal Mushroom Lamp
£ 275
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Carved Oak Table Lamp Base with Stylised Leaf Motif – Arts & Crafts Influence
£ 325
Carved Oak Table Lamp Base with Stylised Leaf Motif – Arts & Crafts Influence
£ 325
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Carved Oak Table Lamp Base with Heraldic Shield – Mid Century / Gothic Revival I
£ 375
Carved Oak Table Lamp Base with Heraldic Shield – Mid Century / Gothic Revival I
£ 375
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Elmgarden Antiques
Large Heavy Brass 4 Branch Table Lamp
£ 650
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Bauhaus Design Desk Lamp
£ 250
Marylebone Antiques
Large Vintage Pineapple Table Lamp
£ 375
Elmgarden Antiques
Pair of Decorative Mid Century Table Lamps
£ 400
Graham Deakin Antiques
Chinoiserie Table Lamp
£ 195
Church Street Antiques
Late 19thc Brass Table Oil Lamp
£ 650
Fedw Hir Antiques
Vintage Brass Table Lamp In Hollywood Regency Style
£ 145
Antikki Interiors
Large French Cherub Putti Table Lamp
£ 795
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Brass Oil Lamp by Hinks of Birmingham
£ 850
Church Street Antiques
Pair of Victorian Brass "Chester" Candlesticks
£ 680
£ 195
Kernow Furniture
Antique Turned Mahogany Standard Lamp
£ 295
