Table Lamp Bases

Table Lamp Bases For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of table lamp bases for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct table lamp bases — often made from metal, ceramic and wood — can elevate any home. We have 544 antique and vintage table lamp bases in-stock, while there are 17 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of table lamp bases available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Table lamp bases bearing Mid-Century Modern or Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Table lamp bases have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Dalo, Laurel Lamp Company and Stiffel are consistently popular.

How Much are Table Lamp Bases?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,750, while they’re typically $250 on the low end and $18,500 highest priced.

Finding the Right Table-lamps for You

Well-crafted antique and vintage table lamps do more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior.

Proper table lamps have long been used for lighting our most intimate spaces. Perfect for lighting your nightstand or reading nook, table lamps play an integral role in styling an inviting room. In the years before electricity, lamps used oil. Today, a rewired 19th-century vintage lamp can still provide a touch of elegance for a study.

After industrial milestones such as mass production took hold in the Victorian era, various design movements sought to bring craftsmanship and innovation back to this indispensable household item. Lighting designers affiliated with Art Deco, which originated in the glamorous roaring ’20s, sought to celebrate modern life by fusing modern metals with dark woods and dazzling colors in the fixtures of the era. The geometric shapes and gilded details of vintage Art Deco table lamps provide an air of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style.

After launching in 1934, Anglepoise lamps soon became a favorite among modernist architects and designers, who interpreted the fixture as “a machine for lighting,” just as Le Corbusier had reimagined the house as “a machine for living in.” The popular task light owed to a collaboration between a vehicle-suspension engineer by the name of George Carwardine and a West Midlands springs manufacturer, Herbert Terry Sons.

Some mid-century modern table lamps, particularly those created by the likes of Joe Colombo and the legendary lighting artisans at Fontana Arte, bear all the provocative hallmarks associated with Space Age design. Sculptural and versatile, the Louis Poulsen table lamps of that period were revolutionary for their time and still seem innovative today.

If you are looking for something more contemporary, industrial table lamps are demonstrative of a newly chic style that isn’t afraid to pay homage to the past. They look particularly at home in any rustic loft space amid exposed brick and steel beams.

Before you buy a desk lamp or table lamp for your living room, consider your lighting needs. The Snoopy lamp, designed in 1967, or any other “banker’s lamp” (shorthand for the Emeralite desk lamps patented by H.G. McFaddin and Company), provides light at a downward angle that is perfect for writing, while the Fontana table lamp and the beloved Grasshopper lamp by Greta Magnusson-Grossman each yield a soft and even glow. Some table lamps require lampshades to be bought separately.

Whether it’s a classic antique Tiffany table lamp, a Murano glass table lamp or even a bold avant-garde fixture custom-made by a contemporary design firm, the right table lamp can completely transform a room. Find the right one for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Table Lamp Bases

What is a lamp base?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
A lamp base is the lighting element of the lamp which attaches to the lamp body. They are traditionally made up of nickel-plated brass.
What is the base of a lamp called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The base of a lamp is usually just called the lamp base. Manufacturers and artisans produce lamp bases out of a wide range of materials, including metal, wood, glass and pottery. Find a selection of antique and vintage lamps on 1stDibs.
How do you determine table base size?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
A table base should be roughly two-thirds of the size of the tabletop. So a top with a 60-inch diameter should be paired with a 40-inch base.
What is the difference between a table lamp and an accent lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
The main difference between a table lamp and an accent lamp is its size. Generally, table lamps are larger pieces that people use for task lighting or to increase ambiance lighting in a room. Accent lamps tend to be smaller and provide supplemental light in spaces. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of lamps from some of the world's top sellers.
What is the difference between a table lamp and a buffet lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
The difference between a table lamp and a buffet lamp is the size. Although the two types of lamps come in similar heights, buffet lamps are usually narrower, so they take up less space on a buffet server filled with food. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of lamps from some of the world's top sellers.
How do I identify a Laurel Lamp table lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify a Laurel Lamp table lamp, first check the bottom of the base and the bulb socket for a label, tag or other marking. Some pieces display the Laurel brand name or a serial number, which you can cross-reference with information published on trusted online resources to make an identification. Since not all Laurel table lamps bear markings, you may need to search image galleries to see if you can find a model that matches your lamp. You can also consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer for an expert opinion. Find a variety of Laurel Lamp Company lamps on 1stDibs.
Do table lamps have to match?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Your table lamps do not have to match but it definitely is important that they still go together. This can be done by making sure they are of similar style or have something in common such as color, shape, lamp shade, or metal type.
How does a table lamp work?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024
How a table lamp works begins with its cord, which gets plugged into an electrical outlet that provides a source of energy. Halogen and incandescent bulbs contain filaments. The filament in a bulb is a conductor of electricity. It’s attached to contacts made of metal that are connected to a power supply. This allows for electricity to flow through it. When the electrical current cycles through the filament, this component gets quite hot and emits light. Find a large collection of vintage table lamps on 1stDibs.
How big should a table lamp be?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
How big a table lamp should be depends on your lighting needs and the size of the surface that you're placing the light fixture on. Most table lamps are 30 to 36 inches tall. On shorter tables, a taller lamp may be necessary to put illumination at eye level. Find a variety of table lamps on 1stDibs.
What is a buffet table lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
Buffet lamps, also known as console lamps or candlestick lamps, are light fixtures that range in height from 32 to 36 inches. The lamps feature a small shade and a narrow base silhouette, which resembles a slim column or candlestick. Shop for antique and vintage buffet lamps on 1stDibs.
What are table lamps used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Table lamps are often used as a reading light or for task lighting. They can also simply serve as part of a room’s decor, perhaps adding light to an area that doesn’t get any illumination from overhead lights. Shop a collection of table lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
How do I identify my table lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
To identify your table lamp, look it over in search of a maker's mark. Check the base, neck, light receptacle and shade for an engraving, embossing, stamp, label or other mark. With lamps that have felted bottoms, this may require lifting the fabric to reveal the material beneath. After finding a maker's mark, research it using trusted online resources to learn who the maker was and learn more about your fixture. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can help as needed. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary table lamps.
How do I fix an old table lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To fix an old table lamp, take it to an appliance or lighting repair shop that has experience working with the type of fixture that you have. Many problems can cause an old table lamp to stop working. A professional can determine the cause and use the correct tools to address it. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage table lamps.
How tall should a lamp be on a console table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024

A lamp for a console table should be between 25 and 32 inches tall. The table lamp’s shade shouldn’t exceed half the width of the console table.

You’ll find that when it comes to arranging wall art, a decorator might suggest that the space on the wall above a console table is a great place for a large painting or a wall sculpture. In that case, you may wish to use a taller lamp for the table. If your table is smaller in scale or if you have a small mirror hanging on the wall above the console, you may wish to opt for a shorter lamp.

Find vintage table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.
How can I tell if a table lamp is vintage?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are a few ways to identify if your table lamp is vintage, but it does vary from brand to brand. If you can spot a maker’s mark or manufacturer’s label on your piece, it could tell you where and when it was crafted. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary table lamps from top sellers around the world.
What size lamp should be on a sofa table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
To determine what size lamp should be on a sofa table, measure the table from the bottom of the legs to the tabletop. Then, choose a lamp that is equal to or up to 1.5 times taller than the table. Shop a range of table lamps from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
Which company is best for table lamps?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
There is no single best company for table lamps. A well-crafted antique or vintage table lamp does more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior, and over the years, many manufacturers and designers have offered a range of visually appealing table lamps. Examples include Artemide, Gordon Jane Martz, FLOS, Søholm Stentøj, Louis Poulsen and many others. Shop a large collection of table lamps on 1stDibs.
Can ceramic table lamps be painted?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, ceramic table lamps can be painted. In fact, many lamps come with hand-painted finishes. If you choose to paint a lamp yourself, you may need two or more coats of paint to get the results you desire. You'll find a collection of ceramic table lamps on 1stDibs.
How do I identify a Tiffany table lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
To identify a Tiffany table lamp, first take a close look at the base. Some pieces will bear a stamp or label that says, "Tiffany Studios," and newer lamps may also feature a serial number. By comparing the number and markings to information and images shared by trusted online resources, you can begin the identification process. If your lamp isn't marked, the base construction can provide more clues about the maker. Tiffany lamps usually feature bronze bases that feel weighty. Older models typically have a gray metal ring on their bottoms as well. In addition to examining the base, try turning the lamp on for a while and then touching the stained glass shade. Tiffany lamps tend to stay cool due to the thickness of the glass, so if yours feels hot, it may be the work of a different manufacturer. When in doubt, use the identification services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a collection of Tiffany lamps on 1stDibs.
Which brand of table lamp is the best?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
The best brand of table lamp is really a matter of personal preference. Choose a lamp that complements the style of your room and suits your lighting needs. On 1stDibs, find a range of table lamps from some of the world’s top sellers.