Over the last hundred and fifty years, lighting design has adopted new technology, new materials, and stunning new shapes. From the whimsical post modern object designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni to the washi paper lantern modernized by Isamu Noguchi, we adore the iconic lamps of yesteryear. Whether you’re captivated by the Jieldé Lamp’s industrial design, the art nouveau style of Tiffany’s Water Lily Table Lamp, or the sculptural silhouette of the Serge Mouille Floor Lamp, the following fifteen fixtures continue to influence how we experience light in our homes. We hope you love them as much as we do!
15 Iconic Lamps That Will Never Fall Out of Style
The Grasshopper Lamp (Greta Grossman, 1947)
In 1947, Swedish architect and designer Greta Grossman created the Grasshopper Lamp. Her iconic lamp would later become one of the most recognizable silhouettes of mid-century modern lighting. The design was ahead of its time—an elegant, tilted stance that almost feels like it’s mid-step, frozen in motion. The conical shade, mounted on a delicate steel tripod, directs light downward without glare, which makes this lamp as functional as it is stylish. It was originally produced by Bergboms in Sweden but quickly spread to the homes and studios of tastemakers across Europe and the U.S.
One of the few female designers to establish herself in the mid-century era, Grossman relocated to California in the 1940s. There, she gained recognition for both her architectural and interior work, which seamlessly blended Scandinavian simplicity with the West Coast’s casual elegance. Today, the Grasshopper Lamp remains in production, reissued by GUBI.
Image Credit: Design Within Reach
The Arco Floor Lamp (Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1962)
In 1962, Italian brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Arco Floor Lamp. Inspired by the elegant curves of streetlights, the pair produced a bold, sculptural, statement piece—a long, arching stainless steel stem extending from a massive Carrara marble base. The Arco quickly became a symbol of Italian modernism. It appeared in dozens of stylish homes, luxury hotels, and even Hollywood films.
Despite its minimalist look, every detail was carefully considered: the heavy marble base has a hole drilled through it, allowing for a broomstick to be inserted so two people can lift and move it—a touch of design humor from the Castiglioni brothers. Perforated to let heat escape, the polished aluminum shade can be adjusted for precise illumination.
Image Credit: Design Within Reach
The PH Artichoke Lamp (Poul Henningsen, 1958)
When Danish designer Poul Henningsen created the PH Artichoke Lamp in 1958, he reimagined the way light should be experienced. Originally made for the modernist Copenhagen restaurant Langelinie Pavilion, this lamp was engineered to eliminate glare completely. Its 72 overlapping metal leaves are arranged in a radial pattern that reflects and diffuses light so softly that there are no harsh shadows—just a warm, ambient glow.
Henningsen was obsessed with light. He spent decades designing fixtures that perfectly balanced illumination, believing light should be as comfortable and natural as possible. The PH Artichoke became one of his most famous works. Today, it’s produced by Louis Poulsen and remains a fixture in high-end interiors—both commercial and residential.
Image Credit: Design Within Reach
The Anglepoise Lamp (George Carwardine, 1932)
George Carwardine wasn’t a furniture designer; he was an automotive engineer. Still, Carwardine was captivated by mechanical movement and balance. In 1932, while working on vehicle suspension systems, he realized he could apply the same principles to create a lamp—one that could be adjusted effortlessly and hold its position without screws or levers. This idea led to Carwardine’s Anglepoise: the original spring-balanced task lamp and the blueprint for every adjustable desk lamp that followed.
The first Anglepoise models were used in factories and workshops, but they soon appeared in homes and offices. Architects, artists, and writers appreciated their precision and versatility. Over the years, the model has been reinterpreted in countless ways but has never lost its iconic silhouette.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Water Lily Table Lamp (Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1904)
At the turn of the 20th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany redefined American decorative arts with his stunning designs and Art Nouveau style. His Water Lily Table Lamp, created in 1904, is one of the finest examples of his mastery of stained glass design.
Each lamp was meticulously handcrafted—with artisans assembling hundreds of individual glass pieces using Tiffany’s copper foil technique. The result is a richly colored, nature-inspired piece with delicate water lilies and floating lily pads that glow softly when illuminated.
Tiffany’s lamps were unique in their storytelling ability. His glasswork captured the way sunlight filters through leaves, the shimmer of water, the warmth of golden hour. The Water Lily Table Lamp is now one of the most sought-after pieces from Tiffany Studios—with originals fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
Image Credit: The Met
The Atollo Lamp (Vico Magistretti, 1977)
Designed in 1977, Magistretti’s Atollo Lamp has a geometric silhouette—cylindrical base, dome-shaped shade, and conical middle—that feels almost sculptural, like something that belongs in a museum as much as on a side table. The design was an instant hit—earning the Compasso d’Oro award and becoming one of the most recognizable Italian modernist lamps ever.
Atollo’s uniqueness is in its soft, diffused light, which radiates evenly from beneath the dome. Unlike many lamps, its aesthetic is not tied to any one style—it fits seamlessly into minimalist, mid-century, and contemporary spaces alike. Produced by Oluce, Atollo has been reissued in different materials and finishes, but its timeless, mathematical balance remains untouched.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Noguchi Akari Light Sculptures (Isamu Noguchi, 1950s)
In the early 1950s, artist and designer Isamu Noguchi visited Gifu, Japan—a city known for its handmade washi paper lanterns. Inspired by the craft, he created the Akari Light Sculptures—a series of delicate yet striking lamps made from bamboo ribbing and washi paper. These lamps blend Japanese tradition with modernist sensibilities. The name “Akari” means light in Japanese, which is such a fitting title for designs that feel both weightless and luminous.
According to the Noguchi Museum, the designer once said, “All that you require to start a home are a room, a tatami, and Akari.” His lamps embody that philosophy: simplicity, warmth, and artistry in perfect balance. Over the years, they’ve been produced in countless variations—table lamps, pendants, floor lamps—but all retain the soft, organic glow that makes them unmistakably Noguchi.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Zettel’z 5 Chandelier (Ingo Maurer, 1997)
Ingo Maurer never saw lighting as just functional—for him, it was a medium for play, emotion, and surprise. His 1997 design of the Zettel’z 5 Chandelier is a perfect example of that approach. The fixture is a constellation of handwritten notes, sketches, and blank sheets clipped onto delicate metal rods, forming a luminous, ever-changing collage. Owners can add their own words, which makes this chandelier an evolving piece of personal expression.
The Zettel’z is less of a lamp and more of an interactive artwork. During the day, the sheets catch the light like fluttering paper in the wind. At night, the soft glow from the central halogen bulb creates an intimate, poetic atmosphere.
Image Credit: Casa di Luce
The Bourgie Lamp (Ferruccio Laviani, 2004)
Designed in 2004 for Kartell, the Bourgie Lamp takes the ornate curves of a 17th-century candelabra and reimagines them in glossy, transparent polycarbonate. The result is both playful and sophisticated—a lamp that references history while feeling completely contemporary.
One of Bourgie’s cleverest details is its adjustable height—the shade can be placed at three different levels, allowing for versatility in use. This lamp is an instant conversation piece, whether in crystal-clear acrylic, opalescent black, or a metallic finish. It embodies the mix of tradition, innovation, and playfulness that Italian design excels at.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Panthella Lamp (Verner Panton, 1971)
In the 1970s, Verner Panton was already known for his futuristic, color-saturated designs. But with the Panthella Lamp, he created something softer—an elegant, organic form that still felt distinctly modern. The lamp’s most striking feature is its mushroom-like silhouette, with a rounded acrylic shade and a curved base that seamlessly merge into one object.
The shade acts as a natural filter that spreads a warm, even glow throughout a space. Originally released in white acrylic, newer versions include updated colors and metallic finishes—keeping this classic firmly in the design spotlight. Decades later, it remains one of Scandinavian design’s most beloved lamps.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Tolomeo Lamp (Michele De Lucchi & Giancarlo Fassina, 1987)
When Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina designed the Tolomeo Lamp in 1987, they sought pure functionality. Inspired by early industrial design, the Tolomeo refined the mechanical precision of the Anglepoise lamp into a sleek, modern form. The lamp’s lacquered steel arms and aluminum shade move effortlessly so that users can direct light as they wish while working.
Its versatility sets the Tolomeo apart—it functions just as well as a bedside table lamp as it does in a work setting. Produced by Artemide, it remains one of the most beloved Italian design pieces of the 20th century—proving that when something is built with both beauty and functionality in mind, it never really goes out of style.
Image Credit: Design Within Reach
The Bauhaus Table Lamp (Wilhelm Wagenfeld, 1924)
Designed in 1924 by Wilhelm Wagenfeld, the geometric shape of this lamp’s cylindrical metal structure and opal glass dome perfectly captures the Bauhaus school’s philosophy: every object should be both beautiful and practical. The lamp’s clean lines and minimal materials were groundbreaking at the time.
Originally designed in the metal workshop of the Bauhaus school, the lamp quickly became every design lover’s favorite. It works equally well in contemporary and vintage settings—filtering a soft, diffused light source that makes it perfect for bedside tables or office desks. Even today, the Bauhaus Table Lamp feels incredibly fresh.
Image Credit: Bauhaus Movement
The Flos Snoopy Lamp (Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1967)
Playful yet sophisticated, the Snoopy Lamp was designed in 1967 by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. It is one of the most interesting lamps of the 20th century. Named after the Peanuts comic strip character, its shape mimics Snoopy’s head with a glossy, curved shade perched atop a solid marble base. The designers were known for their love of humor in design, and this lamp perfectly captures that approach—fun yet undeniably elegant.
What makes the Snoopy Lamp unique is its postmodern quality. Its tilted lacquered steel shade directs light downward, making it an ideal table lamp for reading or accent lighting. Produced by Flos, it has remained a cult favorite for design lovers and collectors who appreciate whimsical and timeless pieces.
Image Credit: Flos
The Jieldé Lamp (Jean-Louis Domecq, 1950s)
In the 1950s, French designer Jean-Louis Domecq needed a durable, adjustable lamp for his metal workshop. Frustrated with the options available, he decided to design his own—one that would be rugged, flexible, and nearly indestructible. The result of this frustration and experimentation was the Jieldé Lamp—an industrial design classic with articulated arms, exposed joints, and a lacquered steel frame that could be positioned in countless ways.
Though initially designed for factory use, the Jieldé Lamp quickly entered homes, lofts, and creative spaces. Decades later, Jieldé lamps are still handcrafted in France.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
The Serge Mouille Three-Arm Floor Lamp (1952)
Designed in 1952, the Serge Mouille Three-Arm Floor Lamp is one of the most distinctive lamps of its time. A master of metal structure and form, Mouille created a sculptural, insect-like silhouette. Three delicate arms extend outward, each holding an adjustable aluminum shade. Inspired by movement and asymmetry, the design starkly contrasted with the more rigid, geometric lamps of the time.
The lamp’s sleek, black-lacquered steel frame and ability to direct light sources precisely where needed made it an instant classic. Though originally crafted in Mouille’s small Parisian metal workshop, it quickly gained a cult following. Today, his designs remain coveted collector’s pieces—appearing in high-end interiors and museum collections alike.
Image Credit: 1stDibs
Peruse the LUDC Portfolio for More Iconic Light Fixtures
As we celebrate these timeless icons of lighting design, we invite you to explore even more stunning pieces from the LUDC archives. One of our favorites is the Vertigo pendant light by Constance Guisset, which brings a sense of weightless movement to our University Place project family room. Its black finishes and delicate yet dramatic form create an immersive interplay of shadow and light—proving that contemporary designs can be just as iconic as their historical counterparts.
Whether you gravitate toward mid-century classics or avant-garde objects, the right lighting transforms a space—not just illuminating it for use but defining its character.