Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp with Silk Lampshade from Bay Keramik, 1950s

Striking West German ceramic table lamp by Bay Keramik, distinguished by bold orange relief decoration over matte grey ribbed pottery and an exceptionally tall, architectural scale; newly wired and paired with a bespoke grey silk lampshade, U.S. plug fitted with worldwide adaptation available.
Height includes lampshade.

This oversized table lamp is formed from an original Bay Keramik ceramic vessel produced in West Germany during the mid-20th century and converted into a lamp by Amitābha Studio. The base is unusually tall, approaching floor-lamp scale, giving it a commanding, architectural presence well beyond that of a typical table lamp.

The cylindrical ceramic body is articulated by rhythmic horizontal bands that alternate between finely ribbed matte grey glaze and vivid orange relief decoration. The raised friezes feature repeating stylized birds, starburst-like motifs, and dotted borders, rendered in a bold, graphic language characteristic of Bay Keramik’s expressive postwar output. The contrast between the warm orange glaze and the cool grey ground creates strong visual tension and depth, further emphasized by the lamp’s vertical proportions.

To balance the intensity of the ceramic base, Amitābha Studio has paired the lamp with a custom cylindrical lampshade in raw silk, woven in a soft grey with a subtle silvery undertone. The natural texture of the silk tempers the graphic decoration and allows the ceramic form to remain the focal point, whether lit or unlit. Brass fittings at the neck provide a restrained metallic accent.

The lamp has been professionally rewired and is fully functional. It is supplied with a U.S. plug, and we are happy to adapt the plug for international buyers to suit local electrical standards. The ceramic base has not been drilled or permanently altered; all conversion work was carried out using non-invasive methods.

Well suited to Mid-Century Modern, Brutalist, or Eclectic interiors, this piece works especially well in spacious rooms where scale, material contrast, and sculptural form are key.

About Bay Keramik
Bay Keramik was founded in 1933 in Ransbach-Baumbach, Germany, in the heart of the historic Kannenbäckerland ceramic region. The company became one of the most recognized producers of West German art pottery in the postwar period, particularly during the 1950s–1970s, when it developed a wide range of boldly modeled vessels distinguished by strong forms, graphic relief decoration, and expressive glazing. Bay Keramik pieces were typically marked on the underside with the factory name and model numbers, reflecting the firm’s semi-industrial yet design-forward production. Today, Bay Keramik ceramics are widely collected for their sculptural quality and their important place within mid-century European ceramic design.

About Amitābha Studio
Amitābha Studio transforms exceptional vintage ceramics into singular lighting. Each piece is rebuilt by hand with museum-grade fittings, custom shades made from fine European textiles, and meticulous finishing—from couture trims to color-matched, fabric-covered cords. The studio’s approach is scholarly and craft-driven: honoring the original maker, preserving material integrity, and delivering one-of-a-kind lamps that live comfortably in contemporary spaces while carrying their history forward.