German designer Ingo Maurer (1932–2019) was known as a “poet of light” for how he artfully created table lamps and floor lamps that married form and function, from bulbs that soared on goose-feather wings to chandeliers that suspended bursts of shattered tableware like a slow-motion explosion.
One of Maurer's first lamps, a 1966 design that was merely called Bulb, nested a lightbulb inside a larger glass lightbulb shape, drawing on his connection to German art traditions of reductive forms as well as Pop art and the playful aesthetics of 1960s pop culture. The success of Bulb — its fans included American design icon Charles Eames — led to the founding of his own company to produce this provocative fixture as well as other fantastic lighting designs. Later, for Maurer’s bestselling Uchiwa lamps of the 1970s, the designer found inspiration in Japanese fans made of bamboo and lacquered rice paper.
Born on the island of Reichenau in Lake Constance in southern Germany, Maurer apprenticed at a newspaper before moving to the United States in 1960. In New York and California, Maurer initially worked as a graphic designer for IBM and elsewhere before returning to Germany with his then-wife, designer Dorothee Becker, in 1963. The experience that Maurer gained in typography and bold forms was regularly expressed in the lamps crafted by his company, which was called Design M before the name was changed to Ingo Maurer GmbH. The lighting manufacturer is still based in Munich.
Some of Maurer’s pieces were minimal, such as a ceramic table lamp in 1996 he called Broken Egg, which radiated light from a fissure in an oblong shape, while others were monumental, such as the designer’s last completed installation — a colossal chandelier composed of over 3,000 silver-plated leaves — in Munich’s Residenztheater. Maurer was always at the forefront of lighting innovations, exploring holograms, LEDs and OLEDs in his projects. Through his company, the venturesome Maurer also promoted inventive new designers, including Moritz Waldemeyer, whose My New Flame (2012) imagined a futuristic candle with LEDs.
Ingo Maurer GmbH continues to produce the late designer’s distinctive table lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures, including the imaginative Bulb that started it all.
Find vintage Ingo Maurer Uchiwa lamps and other lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Egon Hillebrand Table Lamp, Metal, Post-Modern Design, Germany, 1980
By Hillebrand, Egon Hillebrand
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The stainless steel-colored table lamp, whose lines are based on Art Deco designs, is in excellent condition. The heavy lamp can be easily rotated around its own axis and the height ...
Metal
WMF Ikora Table Lamp by Paul Haustein, Metal, Art Deco, Germany, 1930
By Paul Haustein, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This original WMF Ikora table lamp from the 1930s is an exceptional example of German Modernism, combining the clear formal language of Bauhaus with the softer, streamlined influences of Art Deco. The generously shaped, disc-like shade with its sculpturally stepped dome creates a sculptural silhouette and gives the lamp an almost futuristic presence that still appears timeless today. The minimalist design of the circular base, slender shaft, and seemingly floating shade corresponds to the functional design understanding of early Modernism. The surface displays a rare, warm metallic tone between satin nickel, champagne, and light brass, which changes with the incidence of light and has preserved the characteristic patina of age. The lamp has two light sources with original brass fittings, creating an even and pleasant light distribution under the wide shade. Especially noteworthy is the preserved original fabric-covered cable with a historical switch – an authentic detail that further enhances its collector's value. The overall condition is very good; only slight age-related signs of wear, fine scratches, and minimal traces of patina on the shade bear witness to its history and do not detract from its appeal. The lamp was manufactured by Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF), one of the most important German producers of high-quality metal goods and design objects of the early 20th century. With the Ikora line, WMF developed a distinct design language from the late 1920s onwards, combining artisanal quality, innovative metal finishing, and modern design. Today, Ikora objects are among the most sought-after designs of the German Art Deco and Modernist era. The design is attributed to the WMF Ikora designs, which were significantly shaped by Paul Haustein. His works combine the clarity of Modernism with the decorative elegance of Art Deco and are exemplary of the design quality of WMF's production during this period. Today, original WMF Ikora lamps...
Metal
Hillebrand Space Age Table Lamp 7603 by Heinz F.W. Stahl, 1970
By Hillebrand
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This original table lamp from Hillebrand Leuchten embodies the clear, timeless design language of German Space Age design from the 1970s. With its distinctive, gently curved black-br...
Metal
Baltensweiler Minilux Table Lamp, Brushed Aluminum, Adjustable, 1960
By Baltensweiler AG, Rosemarie & Rico Baltensweiler
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A Baltensweiler Minilux table lamp that still impresses today with its minimalist aesthetic. The clearly designed cylindrical lamp head made of b...
Aluminum, Chrome
Hillebrand Chrome Table Lamp by Egon Hillebrand, Mid-Century Modern
By Hillebrand, Egon Hillebrand
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This massive table lamp comes in the rarely found chrome version. The heavy chrome frame is in almost new condition. The black base, which is reminiscent of hammer paint, shows no si...
Chrome
Hillebrand Bronzed Table Lamp by Egon Hillebrand, 1960
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This exceptional vintage table lamp by Hillebrand combines sculptural Mid-Century design with high-quality German craftsmanship. Manufactured in the 1960s, the lamp impresses with it...
Metal
Mid-Century German Bamboo Table Lamp by Ingo Maurer for M Design, 1960s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
An early design of the famous luminaire designer Ingo Maurer from the late 60s early 70s. An elegant and classic design. The name is reflected in the design language of the lamp. Th...
Metal
Ingo Maurer table lamp
By Val Saint Lambert, Ingo Maurer
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Table lamp in glass by Val Saint Lambert. Designer: Ingo Maurer.
Glass
1970S Faux Bamboo Table Lamp
Located in London, London
Table lamp Faux bamboo Cast aluminium Probably American 1970s/1980s Measurements don't include shade.
Aluminum
Mid-Century German Hollywood Regency Style Bamboo Floor Lamp by Ingo Maurer, 60s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
An early design by the well -known luminous designer Ingo Maurer from the end of the 1960s in the early 1970s. An elegant and classic design in an impressive size. The name is refle...
Metal
Mid-Century Minimalist Table Lamp in Metal and Plastic, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist Mid-Century table lamp. The design convinces with its simplicity. Form and materiality indicate the minimalism of Swiss lighting manufacturers. The umbrella shows a simpl...
Metal
Ingo Maurer Table Lamp Glass & Chrome, Design M, Germany, 1960s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Ingo Maurer table light with a glass foot and the original shade, made in Germany in the 1960s. Measures: width 23.6" in. (60 cm), height 27.5" in. (70 cm). Lighting: takes one la...
Chrome
