Iconic Table Lamps
part 2
If you read our first post on iconic table lamps, you already know the obsession is real. These aren’t just lights, they’re little design legends. Some sculptural, some futuristic, some soft and poetic.
But all of them?
Absolutely unforgettable.
So, here’s part two. Nine more table lamps that deserve the spotlight.
Nelson Cigar Lotus Table Lamp
by George Nelson for Herman Miller (1952)
Soft, round, and cloud-like. George Nelson’s Bubble Lamp series still feels totally fresh, even though it was first designed in the ’50s. The Cigar shape adds just enough quirk without going full kitsch. It’s warm. It’s glowy. And it somehow works in both minimalist and midcentury rooms without trying too hard. I’ve seen it in reading nooks and by bedsides – and it always looks just right.
PH 2/1 Table Lamp
by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen (1925)
Poul Henningsen’s obsession with glare-free light is…kind of iconic in itself. This little PH lamp is part of a whole system he designed in the 1920s, and it’s still being made today.
The layered glass shades bounce light in the most flattering way. It’s soft, but not dim. Classic, but not boring. Honestly? It might be the prettiest desk lamp ever made.
Wire Table Lamp
by Verner Panton for Verpan (1972)
Okay, this one’s cool in that very specific Verner Panton way – slightly space-age, definitely sculptural, and a little bit sexy. The base is this airy chrome wire cage, and the shade is a shiny white acrylic dome that almost looks like a helmet. It’s bold but not bulky.
Light bounces off it in a super satisfying way. I love it in pairs on a long console or even solo on a side table with nothing else around it. It holds its own. Like most Panton pieces, it’s a vibe.
Gatto Table Lamp
by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for FLOS (1960)
Kind of a cousin to the Nelson Cigar Lamp, but weirder – in the best way. Gatto means “cat” in Italian, which…doesn’t really explain anything. But the shape is organic and soft and feels like it belongs in a dreamy, linen-covered world.
The secret sauce is the cocoon resin material, which glows from the inside out. It’s delicate, sculptural, and a little bit magical.
Shogun Table Lamp
by Mario Botta for Artemide (1986)
This one is pure drama. Black and white, bold lines, architectural vibes. It’s kind of like a mini building that happens to light up. Designed in the 1980s, it still feels wildly ahead of its time.
The perforated metal shade moves, so you can direct the light. But honestly, you’ll probably just stare at it like it’s a museum piece. Because it kind of is.
Eclisse Table Lamp
by Vico Magistretti for Artemide (1965)
Tiny. Round. Genius. The Eclisse has this little inner rotating cap that lets you “eclipse” the light, like a mini lunar event on your nightstand. It’s playful and practical at the same time.
Vico Magistretti nailed the balance between function and form. And yes, it comes in colors. (The orange one? So good.)
Lampadina Table Lamp
by Achille Castiglioni for FLOS (1972)
This one’s basically a love letter to the humble lightbulb. But of course, Castiglioni adds a twist. Literally. The cord wraps around the base, and the bulb sits on a little aluminum disc.
It’s giving raw utility meets conceptual art. I like it on bookshelves or as a little moment on a sideboard. Surprisingly versatile for something that looks like it came straight out of an industrial design textbook.
Bauhaus Table Lamp WA 24
by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Tecnolumen (1923)
Straight from the 1920s Bauhaus era and still looking sharp. This lamp is geometry in action: circles, cylinders, and clean lines all working together. It was designed by Wagenfeld when he was still a student.
A student! And it ended up being one of the most enduring designs from the movement. Put this in any room and it instantly adds credibility. Like, design person lives here vibes.
Akari 1A Table Lamp
by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra (1951)
Noguchi didn’t just design lamps – he made light sculptures. The Akari series is iconic, and the 1A is one of the most recognizable shapes. Handmade from washi paper and bamboo, it’s super lightweight but somehow doesn’t feel flimsy at all.
The glow is warm and ambient, like sunlight through rice paper. There’s something really calming about it. It’s quiet design in the best way.
If you’re already deep in your lamp era, welcome. If not…well, you might be now. These nine are proof that great lighting isn’t just about function. It’s about presence. Mood. Personality. And every one of these designs brings a little history and a lot of style into the room.
Which one would I take home? Honestly, probably the Akari or the Eclisse. But don’t make me choose.
Sources
https://www.lumens.com/
https://www.artemide.net/
https://www.louispoulsen.com/
https://flos.com/
https://www.hermanmiller.com/
https://verpan.com/
https://www.vitra.com/
https://tecnolumen.com/