Martz Ceramic Lamp with Sgraffito Decoration
By Gordon Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting Martz ceramic lamp with whimsical sgraffito decoration.
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic
Martz Ceramic Lamp with Sgraffito Decoration
By Gordon Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting Martz ceramic lamp with whimsical sgraffito decoration.
Ceramic
Monumental Martz Lamp with Sgraffito Decoration
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant, large scale ceramic lamp by Marshall Studios with Sgraffito decoration. Original shade included. Ceramic base is 17" H, total height is 33.75".
Ceramic
Triangular Martz Table Lamp with Sgraffito Circular Pattern
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Jane and Gordon Martz lamp for Marshall Studios features a pale grey triangular base with an interwoven circular Sgraffito pattern in light brown on all three surfaces.
Ceramic, Walnut
Table Lamp with Sgraffito Decoration by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Highland, IN
With elegant forms, subtle, understated glazes, and an embrace of natural materials and textures, the ceramic work by Gordon and Jane Martz have an almost Scandinavian sensibility. T...
Ceramic, Walnut, Linen
$1,839Sale Price|20% Off
Black Sgraffito Jane and Gordon Martz Studio Ceramic Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern studio ceramic pottery table lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Matte Black ceramic body with hand-incised vertical lines and bands of ro...
Ceramic, Pottery, Walnut
Rare Martz Lamp with Sgraffito Decoration
By (after) Agnes Martin
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stunning Martz lamp made of two sections with elegant sgraffito decoration.
Ceramic
Gordon and Jane Martz 170 Lamp Pair for Marshall Studios Maroon Sgraffito Thick
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A highly collectable pair of lamps designed by Jane and Gordon Martz of Marshall Studios in Veedersburg Indiana circa 1960s. These lamps are highly sought after and are showing up in...
Ceramic, Walnut
Unavailable
H 25 in Dm 5.75 in
Jane and Gordon Martz Stoneware Lamp Marshall Studios, White Incised Sgraffito
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Raleigh, NC
Midcentury ceramic table lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios of Veedersburg, Indiana. The stoneware body has a warm white glaze with hand-incised vertical lin...
Stoneware, Walnut
Unavailable
H 37.75 in W 6.25 in D 6.25 in
Jane and Gordon Martz Stoneware and Walnut Lamp Marshall Studios, Sgraffito
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Raleigh, NC
Midcentury ceramic table lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios of Veedersburg, Indiana. The stoneware body has an earthy mustard glaze with hand-incised vertica...
Stoneware, Walnut
Unavailable
H 33 in W 6.88 in D 6.88 in
Jane and Gordon Martz Stoneware and Walnut Lamp Marshall Studios Black Sgraffito
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century ceramic table lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios of Veedersburg, Indiana. The stoneware body has a very matte dark gray glaze with hand-incised v...
Stoneware, Walnut
Pair of Sgraffito Striped Martz Studio Lamps
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of sgraffito striped martz studio lamps.
Ceramic
Pair of Martz Sgraffito Table Lamps
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Matched pair of Sgraffito table lamps designed by Gordon & Jane Martz with original wood finial and Marshall Studios label, circa 1950s.
Ceramic, Wood
Sgraffito Striped Ceramic Martz Lamp by Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sgraffito striped ceramic Martz lamp by Marshall Studios.
Pair of Ceramic Martz Lamps with Sgraffito Striped Base
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of ceramic Martz lamps with sgraffito striped base.
Martz Studio Large Ceramic Lamp with Incised Sgraffito Glaze
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martz Studio large ceramic lamp with incised sgraffito glaze.
Pair of Sgraffito Lamps by Martz for Marshall Studios
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Pair of Sgraffito lamps by Martz for Marshall Studios with original shades, finials and the original sticker on one of the lamps.
Ceramic, Walnut
Martz Sgraffito Table Lamp with Walnut Base and Finial
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sculptural table lamp was designed by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studios.
Ceramic, Oak, Walnut
Camel Colored Table Lamp with Sgraffito by Gordon and Jane Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Highland, IN
This beautiful camel colored table lamp by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall studios has a subtle cylindrical ceramic body decorated with sgraffito lines and spirals, a walnut neck ...
Ceramic, Walnut
1960s Jane and Gordon Martz no. 242 Ceramic Lamp with Incised Sgraffito Glaze
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960s table lamp from Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios of Veedersburg Indiana.
Ceramic
Vintage Martz Ceramic and Walnut Table Lamp with Sgraffito Detail and Shade
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite Jane and Gordon Martz table lamp for Marshall Studios (ca. 1960s, USA).
Brass
Sold
H 30.25 in Dm 17 in
Gordon and Jane Martz 170 Lamp Pair for Marshall Studios Maroon Tan Sgraffito
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A highly collectable 1960s lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz of Marshall Studios in Veedersburg Indiana. These lamps are highly sought after and are showing up in designs all ov...
Ceramic, Walnut
Mid-Century Ceramic Martz Lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Antonio, TX
Martz lamp features a wonderful sgraffito decoration on flat white glazed body.
Ceramic, Walnut
Tall Ochre Sgraffito Glazed Ceramic Matrz Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall Ochre Sgraffito Glazed Ceramic Matrz Lamp
Ceramic
A Pair of Martz Ceramic Lamps with Original Shades
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Martz ceramic table lamps with "sgraffito" technique.
Ceramic
Classic Sgraffito Ceramic Lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Martz Sgraffito, Gordon Martz, Design Technics, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful classic Martz sgraffito ceramic lamp in tan and olive green matte glaze with a teak neck and finial.
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware, Teak
Martz Table Lamp with Floral Sgraffito Decoration
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Highland, IN
This terrific lamp by Gordon and Jane Marts for Marshall Studios features a delicate floral design rendered in sgraffito on the eggshell white glazed base. It retains its original sh...
Ceramic, Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
Martz Sgraffito Tombstone Table Lamp Rustic Cabinmodern Midcentury Post Beam
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare model in great shape, ready for a new shade. Ceramic is in a matte finish. The original shade was 15 tapering to 13, and 15 inches high.
Ceramic
Large Pair of 1950\'s Martz Sgraffito Pottery Table Lamps
By Martz Sgraffito
Located in Washington, DC
Wonderful large pair of Martz table lamps from the 1950\'s, with interesting hand applied sgraffito squiggle design going all the way around the bottom section of the lamp.
Teak, Silk
Small Martz Sgraffito Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Martz Sgraffito, Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund, Marshall Studios
Located in Framingham, MA
Small stoneware lamp with the desirable incised sgraffito etchings/patterns by iconic lighting designers Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios.
Brass
Sgraffito Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Martz Sgraffito, Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund, Marshall Studios
Located in Framingham, MA
Lovely inverted cone shape lamp with the desirable incised sgraffito etchings/patterns by iconic lighting designers Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios.
Brass
Martz sgraffito Decorated Lamps
Located in North Egremont, MA
Pair of Martz lamps with sgraffito decoration. beautiful gray/white watery glaze, signed
Ceramic, Walnut
Pair of Sgraffito Glazed Lamps by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in New York, NY
Handsome pair of Martz lamps finished in an attractive brown glaze and very nicely accented with sgraffito etching.
Large Pair of Two-Part Stoneware Sgraffito Table Lamps by Jane and Gordon Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Hudson, NY
Large-scale Martz for Marshall Studios table lamps. Stoneware two-part bodies with sgraffito detailing fitted between walnut circular bases and tapering conical necks.
Martz Sgraffito Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in North Egremont, MA
Studio pottery and wood table lamp by Martz with their signature sgraffito decoration.
Massive Martz Table Lamp "Bamboo" Form Black Sgraffito Ceramic and Walnut
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Gordon Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Framingham, MA
Massive, beautiful - excellent shape & rare. Large "bamboo" Martz table lamp in wonderful condition with a matte black glaze and vertical sgraffito etchings.
Ceramic, Stoneware, Walnut
Jane and Gordon Martz Stoneware and Walnut Lamp Marshall Studios, Sgraffito
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Raleigh, NC
Midcentury ceramic table lamp designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios of Indiana. The stoneware body has a warm mustard-y glaze with hand-incised vertical lines, mount...
Stoneware, Walnut
Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios Table Lamp, USA circa 1960s
By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios table lamp. Designed and made in USA, 1960s Ceramic body with wooden stem. Signed. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. FREE US rewiring upon req...
Brass
Jane & Gordon Martz, Table Lamp, Ceramic, USA, 1960s
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in High Point, NC
An grey-glazed ceramic and table lamp designed by Jane & Gordon Martz and produced by Marshall Studios, USA, 1960s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 12” H x 6.25” Diameter Dimensions of...
Ceramic
Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamp for Marshall Studios, USA circa 1960s
By Gordon Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gordon Martz ceramic table lamp in black. Designed and made in the USA, 1960s. Ceramic body, wooden stem. Takes 1 medium base bulb. Complimentary US rewiring upon request. FREE US re...
Ceramic, Wood
Jane and Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Table lamp designed by famed ceramicist duo Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Dimensions: 28” tall 15” wide Ceramic 15” tall 7.25” wide. Shade is shown for illustrati...
Ceramic, Walnut
$2,500
H 27.5 in Dm 7.5 in
Rare Vintage Gordon & Jane Martz Studio Pottery Lamp Marshall Studios Midcentury
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful matte leather Carmel glaze color with Sgraffito designs. All original, procured from original owners, retain paper decal label, this lamp is estate fresh. Vintage shade doe...
Stoneware
Vintage Mid Century M105 Ceramic Table Lamp by Jane & Gordon Martz
By Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a charming mid century ceramic table lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz / Marshall Studios. Model 105 features a unique geometric shape and was perhaps their most in demand style....
Ceramic
$1,250Sale Price|50% Off
H 44 in W 8 in D 8 in
Marshall Studios Martz Ceramic Triangular Incised Pottery Midcentury Table Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Portland, OR
?? WHAT'S INCLUDED? — This listing is for the lamps only. New shades, exactly matching the catalog dimensions can be purchased upon request. ?? WHAT IS IT? — This absolutely...
Ceramic, Burlap, Walnut
Large Ceramic Table Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Large table lamp by famed ceramicist duo Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Great neutral color palette in off white and tan. Overall 32.5” tall 17” wide Ceramic 15.5” t...
Ceramic
Martz Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz, Ceramic
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful matte dark (black with almost a slight navy hint) lamp by famed ceramicist duo Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Great texture, shape, and color. This lamp would ...
Ceramic
Gordon & Jane Martz Ceramic Lamp
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gordon $ Jane Martz design ceramic table lamp for Marshall Studios, U.S.A Rare form Martz lamp incorporating a turned walnut neck on a etched pattern body, signed on the back. Works ...
Ceramic
$3,200
H 36.13 in W 8.38 in D 8.38 in
Ugo Zaccagnini Italian Ceramic Mid-Century Design Table Lamp Sgraffito Primative
By Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning Ugo Zaccagnini Italian ceramic table lamp embodies the essence of mid-century design with its sgraffito primitive style. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, th...
Ceramic
1970s Pottery Table Lamp John Virando of Richmond Hill
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful pottery lamp designed and hand produced by John Virando of Richmond Hill. The lamp dates from the 1970s. The piece has been newly rewired with good quality brass fitting...
Clay
$1,850
H 27 in Dm 5.5 in
Martz Table Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios, 1960s, Ceramic
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in South Jordan, UT
Uncommon matte green glazed ceramic table lamp by A unique table lamp ceramicist duo Jane and Gordon Martz, for Marshall Studios, 1960s. Features a matte green, glazed body with in...
Ceramic
Mid century modern Gambone style ceramic lamp, Italy circa 1960
By Guido Gambone
Located in View Park, CA
A large vintage Italian Gambone style mid century modern lamp, circa 1960. Featuring a cave drawing motif and tones of sage, licorice, coffee, and marigold. Wood veneer base and felt...
Ceramic, Felt, Linen
$1,193Sale Price|25% Off
H 7.29 in Dm 7.09 in
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp by Marcel Giraud, French Vallauris, 1960s
By Marcel Giraud
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp by Marcel Giraud, French Vallauris, 1960s It is a beautiful handcrafted table lamp both raw and elegant that can blend either in a country chic...
Enamel
Martz Table Lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz, Ceramic
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful neutral lamp by famed ceramicist duo Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Great texture, shape, and color. This lamp would work well in a variety of interiors: moder...
Ceramic
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
Picasso Marble Cone Side Table
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning Picasso marble CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design piec...
Marble
Reyes Counter Stool in Cherry with Russet Leather
By Martell Woodworks
Located in Mendocino, CA
This is a cherry counter stool with a stretched leather seat and back. The frame is solid cherry, with a gentle radius at the interior joints and softly rounded edges. The leather is...
Leather, Cherry
$2,884 / item
H 13.77 in W 16.92 in D 4.52 in
Camarena Sculptural Brass Casting Wall Sconce, Layered Disc Art Deco Wall Light
Located in İstiklal, TR
CAMARENA Sculptural Brass Casting Wall Sconce – a masterpiece of contemporary design and refined illumination. This extraordinary wall sconce transcends the ordinary, seamlessly blen...
Brass
$39,786 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.12 in
Set of ten Monk dining chairs in leather by A&T Scarpa for Molteni, Italy, 1974
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 10 chairs mod. Monk designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1974. Stained walnut wood frame, natural leather seats. Excellent condition, restored. The whole set has b...
Wood, Animal Skin
Custom Made Dining Banquette Bench Upholstered or Slip Covered COM
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Custom made to order the Bloom Banquette can be done in any of our linens, performance fabrics, or COM. Can be made to any length, depth, and height. Leg finishes are also available ...
Linen, Foam, Wood
$1,443
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century wall mirror with gold glass frame Fontana Arte for Veca
By VECA, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Glass with gold-colored side edge Elegant wall mirror made by Fontana Arte for Veca, traceable to Italian production of the mid-20th century. The mirror features a refined, slightl...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...
Brass
"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Diesel Creative Team 1, Moroso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a credenza, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, blac...
Steel
$2,850 / item
H 32 in W 13 in D 4 in
Sculptural Ceramic Emma Table Lamp w/Vellum Shade by Danny Kaplan Studio
By Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Emma table lamp is constructed by stacking slab-built ceramic bricks. Each brick is individually formed, carefully arranged, and then attached to create a cohesive piece. The arc...
Ceramic
$6,300 / item
H 16 in W 58 in D 32 in
Organic Shaped Modern Nesting Coffee Tables by Last Workshop, Walnut
By Last Workshop
Located in Chicago, IL
Organic shaped nesting coffee tables by Last Workshop, 2023 Solid walnut, natural finish Table one: 58" x 32" x 16"H Table two: 46" x 25" x 13.5" If not in stock, current productio...
Hardwood, Walnut
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated Brass Dome Ceiling Lamp
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Paavo Tynell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated brass dome ceiling lamp. Hand-fabricated in Los Angeles, these highly refined ceiling lamps are reminiscent of the iconic mid-century Finnish designs...
Brass
$8,733 / item
H 35.44 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Brass and Alabaster Mobile Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Mobile kinetic chandelier made of patinated brass with a round counterweight and two enlighten alabaster globes. Original design by Glustin Luminaires.
Alabaster, Brass
$16,141 / item
H 53.15 in W 125.99 in D 59.06 in
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...
Metal, Brass
Roger Capron, Coffee Table, Wood, Ceramic, France, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige ceramic tile coffee table designed and produced by Roger Capron, France, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.75"H x 51.625"W x 24.5"D All items ship from Hig...
Ceramic, Wood
$1,921Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 31.11 in D 61.82 in
Vintage Danish Brutalist Oak & Tile Coffee Table style of Henning Kjærnulf, 60s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Presenting an exceptional vintage Danish oak and tile coffee table, a quintessential statement piece from the 1960s that embodies the harmonious balance of Scandinavian design. This ...
Ceramic, Oak
Gordon and Jane Martz were prominent designers and creators of simple, elegant, handcrafted ceramic goods. Their vintage mid-century modern designs for table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers and pendants are daring but relaxed and make for versatile additions to any space.
Jane Martz’s grandmother established the family-owned American lampshades company Marshall Studios in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922. Jessie “Muz” Marshall produced hand-painted lampshades out of her home, then expanded to include lamp bases made of wood. The business later moved to Veedersburg. After studying at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Gordon and Jane joined the company in the early 1950s and stepped in to run Marshall Studios after it had been managed by Jane’s parents. Gordon and Jane instilled the brand with fresh energy and new ideas. They introduced innovative modernist stoneware lamps, decorative accessories and more that became immediately popular with new homeowners of the era. Later, there was a return to lamp bases made solely of wood, and floor lamps, bookends and tables with tile tops appeared in the company catalogs.
The Marshall Studios M101 lamp was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Good Design” exhibit in 1953, which also featured the work of other mid-century luminaries such as Jens Risom, Paul McCobb, George Nelson and more.
Gordon and Jane explored color and texture at the company during the 1950s and ‘60s and continued the rich legacy of craftsmanship for which Marshall Studios had become known. The manufacturer secured government contracts and their works were featured in Interiors magazine. Etchings and other decoration continued to be done by hand, and Jane eventually also took an interest in the fabric and textiles used to hand-cover the paper shades, producing a complementary line of hand-woven pillows and other goods.
Find vintage Gordon and Jane Martz lighting, tables and ceramics on 1stDibs.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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.