Antique Marble Lamps

Vanessa Weber Interior Design Expert

Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.

Updated 28/03/2021

Marble is gorgeous, and to incorporate that into a lamp is on par with the great minds that built the Parthenon in Greece. There is something about marble that sets it apart from all other decorative ideas. Maybe it's the mining process or the polishing. Maybe it is the inlaid coloring. Whatever it is, these lamps exemplify it in such an attractive medium.

Buying Guide

When shopping around for accessories for your home, you may come across antique marble lamps. These are unlikely to be found in many homeware stores, since the majority of antiques are only available online or at specific auctions. If you've decided that the antique marble lamp look is what you want for your home, here are things you should consider beforehand.

Where to buy an antique marble lamp?

The best place to start your search for these lamps is at auctions. Search online to find antique auctions in your area. Marble lamps have been very popular down the ages, so you're bound to see a few of them when you go to auction. You don't have to attend all of the auctions in person either, as many of them have online features which allow you to browse what's available and place your bids.

In addition to auctions, many websites have unique marble lamps which are old and antique. You should always look at the delivery options and check that delivery is available to your location.

Which size of lamp to buy?

Most antique marble lamps are around 2 feet tall, although you may come across floor lamps which are roughly 5 feet in height. There are many marble lamps ranging between those sizes too, but which ones you come across is often down to a matter of luck. Since the items can be few and far between, you might not have a huge amount of choice when it comes to the size of your lamp.

One of the factors which you should take into consideration is whether you want one or two lamps. If you want two lamps, you should aim to buy two smaller lamps, as larger lamps can soon start to look overpowering if there is more than one. For a pair of lamps, the average height is 24-30 inches per lamp.

Which shape of lamp to buy?

There are rounded lamps, square lamps, tall lamps, shaped lamps, and many other designs. The rounded style is perhaps the most popular, and can be in the shape of a sphere or a rounded oval. Long tube-shaped marble lamps are also a common type to see, while the even rarer versions are flat and square or shaped like leaves or even human faces.

How to looking after an antique marble lamp?

In order to keep your new lamp in great condition, dust the marble regularly with a clean damp cloth. Ensure the cloth is soft and non-abrasive so as not to cause any damage to the lamp. In the unlikely event that anything spills on your lamp or there are any marks, remove the spillage immediately with a damp, soft and clean cloth or sponge. Following these steps will make your antique lamp a great investment for your home.