Collected Thoughts: Featured Find - Pair of 1980s Pottery Lamps

A striking pair lamps from 1980s California, rediscovered and ready for their next home.

 

Some pieces speak quietly, but with presence - and this pair of lamps does exactly that.

I was immediately drawn to their saturated glaze - deep teal with soft lilac pooling at the curves - and their substantial scale, which gives them a sculptural feel. They’re bold, but grounded. Graphic, but earthy. The kind of lamps that could insprire the entire design of a room. 

A little research led me to Rick Petteford, a studio potter based in Sebastopol, California. To my delight, Rick confirmed these lamps were made by him and his wife, Anne Petteford, in their studio during the 1980s - part of a limited run they crafted together. Their work is known for its richly pigmented glazes and sculptural forms, and these lamps are a beautiful expression of that legacy.

A note on style + context: Made in the 1980s, these lamps reflect the spirit of postmodern design and California studio craft - a time when artists and designers began pushing away from the minimalism of the mid-century and exploring bolder forms, richer color, and handmade expression.

Topped with crisp, pleated off-white shades that balance the depth of the base, this pair is ready to bring warmth and artistry into a space. Whether styled on a console, flanking a bed, or sitting pretty in your living room, they're a beautiful blend of art and function.

xo,

Nicole

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