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.
Interesting Pair of William IV Period Bronze Colza Rhyton Lamps Attributed to Thomas Messenger and Now Electrified c.1835
£ 5,400
Wick Antiques Ltd
Large Exceptional & Impressive Pair of Bronze + Enamel Champlevé Japanese Table Lamps
£ 850
Koos Limburg Jnr
Arts & Crafts Brass Pullmans Railway Carriage Table Lamp Antique Edwardian
£ 135
Lomond Antiques
Arts & Crafts Brass Pullmans Railway Carriage Table Lamp Antique Victorian c.1890
£ 135
Lomond Antiques
Antique Spelter Figural Table Lamp Man Harvesting “Moisson” Edwardian c.1910
£ 88
Lomond Antiques
Arts & Crafts Brass Table Lamp Pullmans Railway Carriage Antique Edwardian
£ 135
Lomond Antiques
Arts & Crafts Brass Pullmans Railway Carriage Table Lamp Antique Victorian c.1890
£ 135
Lomond Antiques
Pair of Vintage Swedish Table Lamps by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
£ 1,100
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Soda Syphon Converter into a Bespoke Colour Changing Decorative Light
£ 295
St James Collectables
Herbert Terry & Sons Model 1227 Anglepoise Desk Lamp 1938–1950s
£ 525
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Antique Edwardian Near Pair of Brass Oil Lamps with Opaline Glass Shades
£ 885
London City Antiques
