Our Story

Founder Kate Sbuttoni in the lamp showroom

 I founded The Ginger Jar Lamp Co. in 2016, after a 'light bulb' moment during a trip to China with girlfriends. I discovered piles of dusty ginger jars at an antiques market and decided to make one into a lamp - the rest is history.

As an interiors enthusiast, I am passionate about unique, authentic, hand-made ceramics & fabrics. I am, of course, also a huge fan of ever-elegant blue & white.

I was thrilled to discover the unique history of the humble ginger jar, from its ancient origins as a vessel for exporting spices to the West, to becoming much sought-after decorative items in their own right. The vintage jars we source are still hand-made, following age-old traditions, and feature auspicious characters and motifs.

I love to create contemporary classics from these pieces by combining them with vibrant artisan lamp shades - resulting in lamps that are limited-edition and truly unique. Being a colour-lover, I adore bold, bright fabrics, and enjoy hand-selecting designs for our small-batch collections.

I have always furnished my own home with pieces that have that 'wow' factor - one-of-a-kind treasures that are made to last and tell the story of who I am and where I've been. I like to think our lamps do the same - often bought as a gift, a memento or to celebrate life's special milestones.

My business is in keeping with a quote that is dear to my heart: "Create the things you wish existed" (And so, I did!).

I really hope you love this carefully-curated collection as much as I have loved creating it.

Best wishes,