Antique English Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900's English adjustable desk lamp with ruby glass insets.
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Table Lamps
Materials
Bronze
English Desk Lamp
English Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's English patinated bronze lamp with tole shade. Measurements: Height: 27.5" Diameter: 16".
Category
Vintage 1940s English Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Art Deco Period Anglepoise Desk Lamp English c. 1934
Located in New York, NY
An English Art Deco anglepoise desk lamp in black enamel.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Vintage English Regency Style Brass Cornucopia Oil Lamp Style Table Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Regency Style Brass Cornucopia Oil Lamp Style Table Desk Lamp.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
English 1930s Little Bakelite Desk Lamp With Decorative Glass Shade
Located in London, GB
A delightful little Art Nouveau style desk lamp made in England in the 1930s. The sculpted Bakelit base incorporates the original 'twist' clockwise switch. The pretty glass shade h...
Category
Vintage 1930s British Art Nouveau Table Lamps
Materials
Glass, Bakelite
Vintage Anglepoise Lamp English Desk, Architect's Light, Bibliophile, circa 1960
$950Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Anglepoise Lamp English Desk, Architect's Light, Bibliophile, circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage anglepoise lamp. An English, steel and aluminium desk or architect's light with bibliophile base, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1960.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Steel
An Early 20th Century English Art Deco Striped Bakelite Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1930 An early twentieth century English Art Deco desk lamp in light blue and cream bakelite panels, the tapered stem supported by a hexagonal base.
Category
20th Century English Art Deco Table Lamps
Materials
Bakelite
English GEC Art Deco Articulated Brass Bankers’ Desk Lamp with Marbled shade
Located in Nottingham, GB
A substantial English Art Deco industrial desk or bankers’ lamp by the General Electric Company (GEC), dating to circa 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century Table Lamps
Materials
Marble, Brass, Copper
Vintage Equine Table Lamp, English, Bronze Decorative Desk Light, Horse Interest
$1,322Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Equine Table Lamp, English, Bronze Decorative Desk Light, Horse Interest
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage equine table lamp. An English, bronze and granite decorative light, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Fascinating horse figure adds equestrian charm to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Brass Desk Lamp
$4,800
Brass Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's English brass desk lamp. Measurements: Total height: 23" Width: 16.25" (widest point)
Category
Vintage 1920s English Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Vintage English Colonial Style Tole Metal Double Candle Student Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Colonial Style Tole Metal Double Candle Student Desk Table Lamp with Pewter & Brass Finish & Mustard Yellow Shade.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Antique English Arts and Crafts Oak Adjustable Desk Lamp with Opaline Glass Shad
Located in Nottingham, GB
A distinctive English Arts and Crafts adjustable desk lamp, handcrafted from solid oak and mahogany with brass and period metal fittings.
Category
Early 20th Century Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Table Lamp, English, Brass, Desk, Side Light, Ecclesiastic Taste, C.1970
$807Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Table Lamp, English, Brass, Desk, Side Light, Ecclesiastic Taste, C.1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage table lamp. An English, brass desk or side light with ecclesiastical taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970.
Category
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Vintage Figural Table Lamp, English, Desk Light, Art Deco, Leonardine, C.1930
$2,185Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Figural Table Lamp, English, Desk Light, Art Deco, Leonardine, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage figural table lamp. An English, metallic plaster desk light in Art Deco taste by Leonardine, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Vintage Maritime Desk Lamps, English, Ship's Log, Table Light, C.1930
$2,125Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Vintage Maritime Desk Lamps, English, Ship's Log, Table Light, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage maritime desk lamps. An English, chromed ship's log trailing fin table light, dating to the early 20th century and later, circa 1930.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Wood
Single Silver Plated Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A single 1930's English silver-plated desk lamp with ‘trophy’ inserts.
Category
Vintage 1930s English Table Lamps
Materials
Silver Plate
1950 Retro Vintage English Hospital Table or Desk Light English Made by Hinders
$204Sale Price|60% Off
1950 Retro Vintage English Hospital Table or Desk Light English Made by Hinders
By Hinders Ltd
Located in Markington, GB
1950 retro vintage English hospital table or desk light, fully working, has has no electric plug (needs fitting!) Dimensions (approx.): Height 35 cm, depth 35cm, width 27cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage French Bouillotte Desk Lamp Table Lamp, Circa 1970s
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Germantown, MD
A great english french country style desk lamp or table lamp.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass, Other
Desk Green Retro lamp, Oscar Torlasco Style 1960s
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Desk Green Retro lamp, Oscar Torlasco Style 1960s
By Oscar Torlasco
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
A retro lamp with a beautiful English green classic desk lamp made in Italy in the style of designer Oscar Torlasco.
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Silver Plated Boulliote Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's English silver-plated desk lamp. Measurements: Height: 27" Diameter: 13.5" (of shade)
Category
Vintage 1940s English Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian Green Architects Table Lamp from Lyskær, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
It is made from powder coated aluminum and steel and is inspired by the English Anglepoise desk lamp and the French Jielde.
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Recent Sales
Vintage English Steel Work Desk Lamp
By Dugdills
Located in Sheffield, MA
Steel and brass English industrial style reticulated work desk lamp.
Category
Vintage 1910s English Industrial Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Steel
1930s English Zonalite Walligraph Anglepoise Desk Lamp
By Walligraph
Located in London, GB
A very good example of a 1930s English Zonalite Walligraph Angle poise desk lamp.
Category
Early 20th Century English Bauhaus Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Iron
Early 20th Century English Desk Lamp, circa 1910
Located in Gloucester, GB
Early 20th century English desk lamp circa 1910 - Solid brass stem and shade - Articulated arm and shade - Original bulb holder with pull cord switch - English ~ 1910 - Measur...
Category
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
A 1940's English Desk Lamp in Brass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adjusting desk lamp with modern lines and decorative base in aged brass. Originating from England c. 1940.
Category
Vintage 1940s English Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Mid-20th Century English C shaped articulated desk lamp
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century English C shaped articulated desk lamp dated from the mid-20th century this English desk lamp is articulated at both the base and shade.
Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
English Brass Desk Lamp
Located in Southampton, GB
A heavy gauge brass, articulated desk lamp. Nice patina coming through on the brass. Sold wired and PAT tested. (Please allow up to 2 weeks for this) England, circa 1920. Base - 15...
Category
Early 20th Century English Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
1950s English Grey Enamel Industrial Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1950s modern Industrial desk lamp from Great Britain. Enamelled aluminium shade and iron rod and base are a satin finish grey color with shiny chrome accents. Under the shade...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
English Chrome Counterweight Desk Lamp by Hadrill & Horstman
By Hadrill & Horstman
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century counterweight lamp made by Hadrill & Horstmann Ltd. England, circa 1940 to 1950. Features highly-polished aluminum and polished chrome finish. Lamps are vintage an...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum
Early 20th Century English Copper Desk Lamp, circa 1910
Located in Gloucester, GB
Early 20th century English copper desk lamp, circa 1910 - Beautiful detailed base - Brass switch - Takes B22 fitting bulbs - Black braided cable - English, circa 1910 - Measu...
Category
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Table Lamps
1940's English Gamages Holborn Desk Lamp - 10 Inch
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1940’s English Gamages Holborn Desk Lamp – 10 Inch . Gamages was a pioneering department store in Holborn London that closed in the 70’s.
Category
Vintage 1940s English Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum
English Original Painted Lamp Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Small English 19th century original painted lamp table / desk. 1890.
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Vintage Barrister's Lamp, English, Adjustable, Banker's Desk Light, Mid Century
Sold
H 18.51 in W 11.82 in D 10.63 in
Vintage Barrister's Lamp, English, Adjustable, Banker's Desk Light, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage barrister's lamp. An English, glass and brass adjustable banker's desk light, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Vintage Ornamental Putto Lamp, English, Decorative Cherub, Light, Desk, Table
Sold
H 28.75 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Vintage Ornamental Putto Lamp, English, Decorative Cherub, Light, Desk, Table
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage ornamental putto lamp. An English, plaster decorative cherub table light, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970.
Category
Late 20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Plaster
English Painted Two Drawer Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C English painted two drawer desk/ lamp table. 1820.
Category
Antique 19th Century English George IV Desks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Bench Magnifier Lamp, English, Industrial, Light, Desk, circa 1960
Sold
H 22.84 in W 9.65 in D 9.65 in
Vintage Bench Magnifier Lamp, English, Industrial, Light, Desk, circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bench magnifier lamp. An English, metal and oak Industrial light or desktop instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1960. Fascinating example of midcen...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Vintage Bench Magnifier Lamp, English, Industrial, Light, Desk, circa 1960
Sold
H 22.84 in W 9.65 in D 9.65 in
Vintage Bench Magnifier Lamp, English, Industrial, Light, Desk, circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bench magnifier lamp. An English, metal and oak Industrial light or desktop instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1960. Fascinating example of midcen...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Antique Barristers Desk Lamp, Heavy, English, Brass, Glass Edwardian, circa 1910
Sold
H 14.97 in W 10.44 in D 6.3 in
Antique Barristers Desk Lamp, Heavy, English, Brass, Glass Edwardian, circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique barrister's desk lamp. A heavy, English, brass and glass lamp dating to the Edwardian period of the early 20th century, circa 1910.
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Antique Executive Desk Lamp, English, Brass, Glass, Table Light, Edwardian, 1910
Sold
H 17.92 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Antique Executive Desk Lamp, English, Brass, Glass, Table Light, Edwardian, 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique executive desk lamp. An English, brass and glass table light with ink wells, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Brass Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940's English brass desk lamp. 18.5" total height. Available at our showroom at 241 East 60th Street, NY, NY.
Category
Vintage 1940s English Table Lamps
Pair of 19th century English Classical Corinthian Column Candlestick Desk Lamps
Sold
H 13 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of 19th century English Classical Corinthian Column Candlestick Desk Lamps
Located in London, by appointment only
Pair of silver plate Corinthian column candlesticks, with Corinthian capitals above fluted stems and raised on stepped square bases. Now converted to lamps. Measures: Height to to...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Table Lamps
Materials
Silver Plate
Flambeau Flame Desk Lamp
Located in Tarporley, GB
#3766 Vintage Flambeau desk lamp. English 1980’s. Xl frosted glass flame shade housed in chunky nickel plated round base.
Category
Vintage 1980s British Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Antique English Carved Wood Open Barley Twist Desk Table Lamp Light
Sold
H 20.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Vintage Antique English Carved Wood Open Barley Twist Desk Table Lamp Light
Located in Choudrant, LA
~Direct from England~ A lovely antique/vintage English barley twist desk or table lamp!~ ~Perfect Old World Charm for any room~ ~English oak with a dark oak finish~ ~Great height...
Category
20th Century British Edwardian Table Lamps
Materials
Wood
English 1950’s Red Enamel and Gilt Metal Desk Lamp by Beverly Pick for GEC
Located in London, GB
An English 1950’s red enamel and gilt metal desk lamp designed by Beverly Pick for GEC.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Fantastic English Yew Wood Library Table with Articulating Accordion Brass Lamps
Sold
H 30 in W 78 in D 45 in
Fantastic English Yew Wood Library Table with Articulating Accordion Brass Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic English Yew Wood library table is a beautiful example of traditional craftsmanship, offering a perfect blend of functional design and luxurious materials. The table’s ...
Category
Vintage 1980s English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Single Copper Arts & Crafts Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1910 English Arts and Crafts copper desk lamp with deep amber glass insets in shade.
Category
Early 20th Century English Table Lamps
A Steel and Green Enamel Industrial Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1920 An early twentieth century English industrial desk lamp, with polished steel adjustable arm and stand supported on a circular base, with bottle green enamel shad...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Table Lamps
Materials
Enamel, Steel
Vintage Industrial 3 Three Step Herbert Terry Anglepoise Table Desk Lamp Light
Sold
H 33.47 in W 5.91 in D 18.9 in
Vintage Industrial 3 Three Step Herbert Terry Anglepoise Table Desk Lamp Light
By Herbert Terry
Located in Sale, GB
- An all original Mk 1 three step Herbert Terry Anglepoise 1227 desk lamp, English circa 1930. - One of the rarest and most sought after models in the Herbert Terry range and with ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Table Lamps
Materials
Steel
Three Step Anglepoise
Located in Tetbury, England
Superb example of this scarce desk lamp. English modernist design at it's very best.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Table Lamps
Materials
Iron
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English Desk Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic English desk lamp available at 1stDibs. Each English desk lamp for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and glass. There are many kinds of the English desk lamp you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right English desk lamp, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are of considerable interest. Hinders Ltd each produced at least one beautiful English desk lamp that is worth considering.
How Much is an English Desk Lamp?
The average selling price for an English desk lamp at 1stDibs is $860, while they’re typically $283 on the low end and $2,450 for the highest priced.
Finding the Right Table-lamps for You
Antique table lamps became a category of their own once electricity moved light off the wall and onto furniture. The form split quickly: task-driven designs like the Anglepoise on one side, decorative ceramic and glass on the other.
Styles to Know
Base material shapes the light as much as the shade does: ceramic and glass diffuse a softer glow, while brass and metal read more directional. Layer the look with a mid-century modern floor lamp for ambient light, or set a pair on a mid-century modern nightstand for a bedroom.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Table Lamp
Buying individually rather than as a pair allows more flexibility when mixing eras across a room. For those shopping by name rather than by shape, the history of the Anglepoise lamp is worth a read. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and the 1stDibs Promise stands behind every purchase.
Questions About English Desk Lamp
What is a good desk lamp?
1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A good desk lamp is going to make a substantial difference in any home, office or studio. The ideal desk lamp should provide apt task lighting, be easy to use, and also be aesthetically pleasing. Find a wide range of unique and elegant desk lamps on 1stDibs today.What is the best desk lamp?
1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021The best desk lamp is a matter of preference — the right fixture can help you work more efficiently while also reducing eye strain. LED desk lamps in the 2700K to 4500K color temperature range often provide a warm and pleasing light under which to work. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and modern desk lamps from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.Who invented the desk lamp?
1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024No one knows for sure who invented the desk lamp, as many engineers worked on designs for lamps during the 1920s. Many experts cite the Anglepoise lamp, however, as the earliest iteration of the modern desk lamp. Since its 1934 debut, this ingenious task light has become one of the most celebrated examples of industrial design.
How the Anglepoise came to be is the stuff of design legend: In 1932, a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine joined forces with a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry & Sons, to create a mechanism by which opposed springs would, as Carwardine explained, exert a “unidirectional constant force” on a pivoted lever that could counteract the force of gravity.
This invention was not destined for an auto but for a lamp Carwardine was developing. The innovation would allow the piece’s articulated arm to be moved with ease to almost any position and remain there. As the product of engineering acumen rather than fashion, the Anglepoise soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted it as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.”
The Angelpoise's rivals include the 1930 Bestlite, which was one of the earliest Bauhaus-influenced designs, created by Robert Dudley Best, who had studied under Walter Gropius at the Bauhaus in Dessau. German modernist Karl Trabert’s 1930s desk lamp for Schanzenbach & Co. was notable for its domed shade above a hinged arm.
Find vintage table lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.What is the best LED desk lamp?
1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021There are many types of best LED desk lamps for your home — it's really a matter of preference. On 1stDibs, there are modern, mid-century modern desk lamps and other lighting to choose from.- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022British designer George Carwardine designed the Anglepoise desk lamp. Before creating the light fixture, he worked as an engineer designing automobile suspension systems. The first Anglepoise lamps debuted in 1931. You can find a variety of Anglepoise desk lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The desk lamps with the green shade are called banker’s lamps. Banker’s lamps are green because it is believed the color helps to encourage concentration and is mentally soothing. It is also said that green helps with eye strain. You can shop a selection of banker’s lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026Table lamps are typically used for ambient or bedside light with a shade that diffuses light broadly, while desk lamps are more directional and task-focused.
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