Lightolier Furniture
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Lightolier
Dealer: Dennis Gargiulo Gallery
5 Pieces Mid Century Modern Recessed Aluminum Eyeball Lighting by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous eyeball socket type recessed lighting by Lightolier c1960. Aluminum sockets that rotate to your desired location. Complete with housing and reinforced cable wiring. Ready fo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Black Iron Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous black iron sculptural chandelier by Lightolier. Total current hgt./length is about 48 with existing chain links. This can be shortened to about 28 with canopy and 1 link. Pl...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Modern Architectural Leaded Milk Glass Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern sculptural leaded milk glass sconces on the diagonal. Rare and hard to find in this architectural design, we have two pairs available. P...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Lead
Mid-Century Modern Sixteen-Light Spiral Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous black iron 16-light chandelier in a spiral form. Chandelier currently has incorrect shaped bulbs. Should have modern styled round bulbs will soon. Height of the chandelier i...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Modern Gerald Thurston Torchiere Lamp with Glass Dish Shade
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and a beautiful torchiere floor lamp by Gerald Thuston for Lightolier. Glass dish rests on a brass plate supported by three rods which are conne...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Brass with Cast Glass Shades Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant brass chandelier with thick and heavy cast glass shades. Six lights provide the illumination. Chandeliers present height is 30 inches but that can be altered by ad...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Midcentury Aluminum Fixture in the Style of Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spun aluminum pendant with anodized brass finish. Newly rewired for a single standard bulb. Eight available.
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1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
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1950s Gerald Thurston Triennale Floor Lamp for Lightolier, USA
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in London, GB
Gerald Thurston Triennale floor lamp for Lightolier. Original dusky pink enameled frame and base with brass detailing.
In good vintage condition showing expected signs of wear comme...
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Pair of Minimalist 3 Tiered Brass Plated Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of minimalist 3 tiered brass plated sconces by Lightolier.
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Lightolier Chandelier with Three Striped Milk Glass Shades, 1950s
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Chandelier with three hanging pin-striped milk glass shades with walnut armature and brass accents by Lightolier, American, 1950s. (Lightolier label on canopy). The drop can be modif...
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Lightolier Adjustable Brass Up Light Sconce, Italy
By Lightolier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A gorgeous brass Italian wall lamp from the 1970s-1980s, oval form. Adjustable hinge allows the sconce to be tilted for perfect illumination.
Lit by a halogen bulb.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Lightolier 3 Shade Tension Pole Lamp Gerald Thurston 1950s
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Peoria, AZ
STUNNING & RARE!
1956
MID CENTURY MODERN
LIGHTOLIER
TENSION POLE LAMP!
THREE SHADES
ORANGE WHITE BLACK
GERALD THURSTON DESIGN
FITS 8 FT. CEILING
Mid Century Pole lamps are one...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
H 104 in W 20 in D 20 in
Pair of Lightolier Chrome Tube Sconces, 1970s Space Age, Atomic
By Lightolier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great pair of chromed tube sconces, Swiss made for Lightolier. Rare eight-bulb configuration, very atomic, Space Age design.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Space Age Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Adjustable Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Classic Thurston design Mid Century saucer top reading lamp manufactured by Lightolier. The lamp can be raised to 52 in, or lowered to 42 in H, the disk shade is 12 in. in diameter, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Lightolier Lytespan Tension Pole Lamp! Mid Century Modern 1950s Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Peoria, AZ
MONUMENTAL!
LIGHTOLIER
MID CENTURY MODERN
LYTESPAN 1959
TENSION POLE LAMP!
ICONIC 3 GOLD SHADES WITH HANDLES!
FITS 8 FT. CEILING
This is both an iconic & gorgeous Lightolier atomic...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Free Shipping
H 104 in W 15 in D 15 in
Mid-Century Pendant Light by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful pendant light by Lightolier made of brass and features a thick lens diffuser. This mid-century pendant light is in great over...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Signed Lightolier Waterfall Flush Mount Ceiling Light
By Lightolier
Located in South Charleston, WV
Produced by Lightolier and signed, circa 1970. Wonderful condition. This unique chandelier has been many attributes. The flush mount measures 23" in diameter and contains 240 dangling rods in 3 sizes over 5 courses. The flush mount features a 1" ceiling cap that the disc attaches to and the total drop from the ceiling i...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Glass Pinwheel Three Bulb Vanity Light by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This whimsical and refined Mid-Century Modern three bulb vanity light was realized in the United States by the esteemed maker Lightolier, circa 1970. It features a volumetric polishe...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 5.5 in W 18 in D 4 in
Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Modern Cantilevered Desk Table Lamp by Lightolier, Japan
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cantilevered desk lamp by Lightolier from the 1960s. Black and white plastic shade which houses one flourescant bulb will pivot 360° degrees. Metal base and chrome shaft sup...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Midcentury Space Age Desk Table Lamp Lightolier, Japan, circa 1965
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Lightolier adjustable desk lamp in orange red.
Plastic with a chrome shaft which the shade can be adjusted, chrome locking thumbscrew.
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Large Outdoor Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Set of 4 aluminum and steel outdoor sconces by Lightolier. Large scale canister is 6 inches in diameter that have a satin brass finish which can be painted or stripped down to the al...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
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Mid-Century Modern Nickel Chrome Louvered Pendant Lamps by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Mid-Century nickel chrome hanging pendant lamps by Lightolier. Single socket, all original with intact wiring and ceiling canopy.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
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Midcentury Lightolier Triple Globe Pendant Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant and Simple and hard to find with this configuration. Glass Globes vary in size and height which is easily adapted to accommodate the room. All inquiries please call or just p...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
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Mid Century Modern Lightolier Chandelier By Gaetano Scolari
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Lightolier Chandelier in Solid Brass With Stainless Sleeves. Pierced Brass Bobeches. Twenty Candelabra Lights Supply The Illumination. Height Of 21in. is fixture only. Please call ...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
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Mid Century Modern Hanging Pendant Chandelier Arne Jacobsen
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Lightolier Pendant Lamp With Nickel Chrome Finish. Crown Of Lamp Is A Louvered, Vented Design Which Creates Great Effect When Lit. Opaque Glas...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Pair Of Mid Century Modern Carved Italian Marble Sconces For Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Carved Marble Sconces With Brass Mounts. Stone is Opaque When Light And Interacts Beautifully With Veining in Marble.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Lightolier furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Lightolier furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Lightolier furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Lightolier were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Gordon & Jane Martz, Laurel Lamp Company, and Marshall Studios. Prices for Lightolier furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $175 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,000.
Creators Similar to Lightolier
Questions About Lightolier Furniture
- What is a Lightolier lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lightolier was founded in 1904 by Bernhard Blitzer and the name is a combination of the words “light” and “chandelier.” Lightolier specializes in elaborate and decorative chandeliers, but they also produce a style of lamps that combine functionality with a lively aesthetic. Browse a collection of Lightolier lamps on 1stDibs.
- Is Lightolier still in business?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Lightolier is still in business. Founded in 1904 and made popular by its electric lighting designs, Lightolier, a contraction of the words light and chandelier, can still be found in stores today. You can also shop Lightolier goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.