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.
William Rand Antiques
Brass Pullman Table Lamp
£ 140
£ 490
Pair of French Cast Iron Urn Lamps with Faux Sienna Marble Finish c.1950
£ 490
Whites Antiques
£ 390
French Ball-and-Socket Desk or Table Lamp - Brass, Bronze & Aluminium, c.1900
£ 390
Whites Antiques
Whites Antiques
English Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp - Classical Architectural Form, c.1940
£ 120
English Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp - Classical Architectural Form, c.1940
£ 120
Whites Antiques
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Pair of Original Herbert Terry Polished Anglepoise Lamps
£ 595
Pair of Original Herbert Terry Polished Anglepoise Lamps
£ 595
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Koos Limburg Jnr
Very Decorative Real Pair of Japanese Satsuma Table Lamps
£ 675
O Keeffe Antiques
French Pair of Silver Giltwood Table Lamps
£ 475
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Ceramic Table Lamps
£ 1,250
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Unusual Mid Century Adjustable Industrial Desk Lamp
£ 550
£ 1,200
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Indian Kashmiri Papier Mache Floral Candlestick Lamp Electric Light
£ 130
Antique Indian Kashmiri Papier Mache Floral Candlestick Lamp Electric Light
£ 130
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Hand-painted Chinese Vases Converted to Lamps
£ 950
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Brass & Oak Equestrian Table Lamp
£ 295
Koos Limburg Jnr
Pair of Decorative Large Champlevé Japanese Bronze Table Lamps
£ 850
Gift Of Light
Impressive Elaborate Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL013
£ 450
Impressive Elaborate Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL013
£ 450
Gift Of Light
Gift Of Light
Antique Marble And Bronzed Spelter Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL022
£ 325
Antique Marble And Bronzed Spelter Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL022
£ 325
Gift Of Light
Gift Of Light
Impressive Neoclassical Style Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp - GOL019
£ 325
Impressive Neoclassical Style Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp - GOL019
£ 325
Gift Of Light
Gift Of Light
Decorative Antique Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL040
£ 149
Decorative Antique Brass Oil Lamp Turned Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL040
£ 149
Gift Of Light
Gift Of Light
Outstanding Brass And Marble Oil Lamp Converted Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL041
£ 395
Outstanding Brass And Marble Oil Lamp Converted Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL041
£ 395
Gift Of Light
Gift Of Light
Elegant Stylish Brass And Marble Oil Lamp Converted To Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp
£ 195
Elegant Stylish Brass And Marble Oil Lamp Converted To Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp
£ 195
Gift Of Light
Church Street Antiques
Early 20thc Brass Desk Table Lamp
£ 595
Gift Of Light
Elegant French Rococo Style Urn Converted Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL017
£ 375
Elegant French Rococo Style Urn Converted Into Dimmable Electric Table/side Lamp – GOL017
£ 375
Gift Of Light
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Brass Desk Lamp
£ 275
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Swedish Table Lamps by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
£ 1,400
Pair of Vintage Swedish Table Lamps by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
£ 1,400
Marylebone Antiques
Church Street Antiques
Retro Mid Century Crystal & Chrome Table Lamp
£ 395
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair Laquered Table Lamps
£ 695
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair French Bronzed Table Lamps
£ 695
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Pair of Tall Ruby Glass Table Lamps by Där – With Shades
£ 445
Pair of Tall Ruby Glass Table Lamps by Där – With Shades
£ 445
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Victoria Antiques
Unusual Pair of Mid Century Candlestick Table Lamps
£ 160
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Swedish Glass Table Lamps by Paul Kedelv for Flygsfors
£ 1,450
Pair of Vintage Swedish Glass Table Lamps by Paul Kedelv for Flygsfors
£ 1,450
Marylebone Antiques
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Pair of Burgundy OKA Table Lamps with Pleated Drum Shades
£ 475
Pair of Burgundy OKA Table Lamps with Pleated Drum Shades
£ 475
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Sovereign Antiques
Art Deco Table Lamp Fantastic
£ 345
£ 675
Jugendstil / Art Deco Very Stylish Original Patinated Table Lamp Germany 1900-1920
£ 675
Koos Limburg Jnr
CES Home & Garden Limited
Classical Tiffany Style Lamp
£ 225
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Bauhaus Enamel & Brass Desk Lamp by Helo Leuchten
£ 495
William Rand Antiques
Large Pair of Chinese Blue and White Ginger Jar Lamps
£ 750
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Murano Glass Table Lamps
£ 745
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Solid Teak & Brass Table Lamps
£ 845
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Swedish Ceramic Table Lamps by Bergboms
£ 1,100
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage French Brass Table Lamp
£ 295
