Few things transform a room faster than the right lamp. Whether it’s a sculptural midcentury arc light, a petite bouillotte with toile shades, or a wonderfully quirky ceramic number from the ’70s, vintage lighting brings character you can’t get from larger floor models. But finding the right piece is the difficult part.
The online vintage shopping landscape has exploded over the past decade. While this means more choices than ever before, it also means more noise. Some platforms do the heavy lifting for you. There are wilder, deeper, and cheaper services out there, but they require you to bring your own expertise to the table. Below, we’ve compiled four of the best places to buy vintage lamps online. If this is your first time, please start from the beginning. If you already know Arredoluce from Arteluce, please skip to the bottom.
1st dibs
If you want the ultimate in vintage lighting, 1stDibs is a great place to start. It’s also one of the safest places to shop if it’s your first time buying vintage. The platform connects buyers with vetted dealers and galleries around the world, so the selection is clearly biased toward the high end. Price reflects quality, but the advantage is reliability. The listing comes with a detailed condition report, dimensions, information on whether it has been rewired for modern use, and many dealers offer returns. Search filters are handy and allow you to sort by era, material, origin, and designer, so you can zero in on, say, a 1960s Italian brass floor lamp without having to wade through thousands of search results. This is essentially a gallery experience with the convenience of online shopping, and a great entry point for those looking for quality assurance.
1stDibs vintage lamp
1940s Swedish floor lamp with three red satin shades
20% off now
1930s Finnish wrought iron and rattan floor lamp by Taidekomo Hakkalainen
1960s handmade lacquered wooden table lamp
1940s Swedish Art Deco brass and teak floor lamp, Ystad-Metall
1970s Italy Murano Amber Glass Mushroom Table Lamp
Art Nouveau French brass and glass table desk light
chair-like
Chairish hits the sweet spot between carefully selected and accessible lamps, and is especially helpful in sourcing vintage lamps. And like 1stDibs, it’s a friendly platform for those just dipping their toes into the vintage world. The inventory tends to be decorative, with many pieces that incorporate Hollywood Regency, Chinoiserie, and Palm Beach, as well as clean-lined midcentury pieces. The platform vets its sellers, and the photos are generally well-styled and well-lit, so you can get a good idea of what the item will look like. Condition is clearly stated and many listings will specify whether the lamp has been rewired or still needs work. The company’s “Make an Offer” feature is worth taking advantage of. Chairish sellers tend to be open to negotiation, especially for items that have been on the market for a while.
chairish vintage lamp
Pair of Blue White Chinoiserie Ginger Jar Porcelain Brass Table Lamps
1940’s Art Deco table lamp wrought iron with floral shade
Kostka pair of 1970s ceramic table lamps
Pair of Modern Polished Green Murano Glass Cube Lamps
Vintage Koch + Lowy Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Portuguese mid-century modern blue and white ceramic table lamp
Etsy
If you’re looking for vintage lighting, don’t miss Etsy. The platform’s vast marketplace is filled with independent sellers and small shops specializing in everything from post-war industrial fixtures to delicate Art Nouveau glass shades. Be aware that you will be stepping into a not-so-curated environment. The scope is broad and requires more digging than a select site. You’ll need a bit of a keen eye, as the search results will be cluttered with reproductions, “vintage-looking” items, and mass-produced imports alongside the real thing. Please read the description carefully, study the photos, and check seller reviews before purchasing. The good news is that many Etsy sellers are passionate small business owners who know their inventory and are happy to answer questions about provenance, condition, and wiring (but be sure to ask!). For those willing to spend a little extra time sifting gems from the rest, the rewards are real. Prices here can be significantly lower than those found on more selective platforms.
Vintage lamps on Etsy
Vintage Bunker Desk Lamp: Polished Brass with Green Glass Shade
50% off now
Restored Luxo L4D Architect’s Workshop lamp by Jack Jacobsen
Pair of 1980s Lily of the Valley frosted glass table lamps
25% off now
1960’s LE Smith Moon and Stars Cobalt Blue 3 Piece Fairy Lamp
1980’s Hand Painted Floral Early American Made LG Light Lamp
1960s Ralph Lauren Porcelain & Wooden Table Lamp
eBay
eBay remains the unsung hero of vintage lamp shopping, but it’s also the platform with the highest demand from buyers. The sheer volume of inventory is unparalleled, and the platform attracts everyone from estate sale hawkers to collectors thinning out their collections, so you’ll find pieces here that would never appear in more curated marketplaces. The auction format can work in your favor (lesser-known designers and unlabeled pieces often sell for a fraction of their regular price). However, there is no editing layer here. Listings may have sparse descriptions, dim photos, or vague condition notes and are subject to their own quality control. Please review all images, ask questions of the seller before bidding, and pay close attention to shipping details. Lamps are notoriously fragile during transportation, and not all sellers pack their glass shades with the care they require. It also helps you know what you’re looking at. Murano lamps listed as “beautiful Italian glass lights” may fly under the radar because they are not accurately labeled. For savvy and educated buyers willing to put in the effort, eBay is the place where real deals happen. But if you haven’t learned what you want yet, you don’t necessarily have to start with eBay.
vintage lamps on ebay
Mid Century Vintage Rare Lamp White Base Bill Curry LAUREL Lamp Co. Rare MCM
Vintage MCM Black Desk Table Lamp Bauhaus Design
1993 Chrome Pop Art Martini Olive Bar Lamp by David Krys
10% off now
Vintage Charles Dudouyt Mid Century French Design Wooden Table Lamp
Rare Davila Brodsky 1983 Hand Painted Ceramic Lamp
Vintage Baccarat Crystal Table Lamp
Julia Cancilla is ELLE Decor’s social media and news editor, overseeing the brand’s social and covering design, pop culture, and emerging trends. She also writes the monthly ELLE Decorscope column. Her work has appeared in Inked magazine, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, and more.
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