1980s Memphis Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Conic 20” Chandelier
About the Item
- Creator:George Kovacs (Maker),Robert Sonneman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In excellent condition and ready to use for years to come. Please see all attached pictures.
- Seller Location:Farmington Hills, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5867232106092
Robert Sonneman
Though Robert Sonneman was quite literally born into the lighting business, it took working for another celebrated lighting maker for him to land upon the kind of boundary-pushing modernism for which the New York–based designer is known today.
At the age of 19, fresh off a stint in the U.S. Navy, Sonneman responded to an ad for a position working in the studio of George Kovacs on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he became the sole employee. “Although my parents were in the lighting business, they came from a traditional perspective, and Kovacs introduced me to modernism,” Sonneman once said. “It was 1961, and I was immediately captured by the movement.”
While working for Kovacs, Sonneman became captivated by the work of the Bauhaus, and he began experimenting with the influential art and design school’s ideas of functional simplicity in lighting. In 1967, he opened his own studio.
Though Sonneman Design Group produced furniture for a brief time, the designer eventually elected to focus on the one category that had always fascinated him; the brand became known for its floor lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers that feature unconventional treatments toward shape and balance, often inspired by modern architecture. Sonneman once said of his work: “I saw the lamps that I built as lighting machines that glorified the industrial aesthetic.”
Indeed, in the spirit of Bauhaus functionality — Sonneman has also cited Mies van der Rohe as being an inspiration — the designer’s work takes function-centric forms and motifs and elevates them while prioritizing technology. This spirit of forward thinking continues today, as Sonneman’s brand, renamed SONNEMAN – A Way of Light in 2003, works with LED bulbs to continue to push the boundaries of what functional lighting can achieve aesthetically.
Current-day releases by SONNEMAN – A Way of Light (still overseen by Sonneman himself) feature 95 percent LED lights and include interior and exterior lighting as well as modular suspended lights as an alternative to track lighting. Sonneman’s vintage pieces, however, are still widely collected on the secondary market.
Find vintage Robert Sonneman lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Farmington Hills, MI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 1980s Robert Marcius for Casa Bisque Tessellated Candlesticks, Set of 3By Casa BiqueLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer a set of three monumental candlesticks by Robert Marcius for Casa Bisque, circa the 1980s. This sculptural set showcases a gre...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Organic Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsMarble
- 1980s Alessandro for Baker Faux Lacquer Ming Monumental Coffee TableBy Baker Furniture Company, Alessandro for Baker FurnitureLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer an exceptional coffee table by Italian designer Alessandro Gambrielli Gambalogna for Baker Furniture, circa the 1980s. Alessandro did a collection of approximately 25 avant-garde occasional and dining room pieces, to which Baker referred to as "Furniture as an Art Form". As a result of this exclusive partnership, the Italian designer became globally regarded as a master of faux finish techniques. This monumental coffee table...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsHardwood
- 1980s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Gray Two-Seater Tuxedo SofaBy Thayer CogginLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer a chic tuxedo sofa by American designer Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa the 1980s. This sofa showcases a wraparound frame and loose cushions uphol...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- 1980s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Gray Three-Seater Tuxedo SofaBy Thayer CogginLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer a chic tuxedo sofa by American designer Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa the 1980s. This sofa showcases a wraparound frame and loose cushions uphol...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- 1980s Sculptural Italian Postmodern Faux Tan Suede Bar Stools – a PairBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer a stylish, unique pair of bar stools, circa the 1980s. These vintage barstools are a nod to Italian postmodernism, showcasing a distinct architectural p...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Stools
MaterialsFaux Leather
- 1980s Tuxedo White Three-Seater SofaBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Farmington Hills, MIWe are very pleased to offer a chic, tuxedo sofa in the style of Milo Baughman, circa the 1980s. This piece showcases a wraparound frame upholstered in a neutral linen fabric support...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Hardwood
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Orbit Chandelier, 1987By Robert SonnemanLocated in St.Petersburg, FLAn interesting and elegant chandelier by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1987. Very well constructed, brass, glass, exposed wiring...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
- Pair of 'Feather' Task Lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of 'Feather' task lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980. Beautiful rare ochre color with counterbalanced arm. Double switch for on-off and high-low settings. Or...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Reading Floor Lamp, 1990By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Port Jervis, NYFully adjustable reading lamp in bronze enamel by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Lamp extends from 45 inches to 58 in height. This item...Category
1990s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman Iron & Chrome Orb Floor Lamp for George KovacsBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Los Angeles, CARobert Sonneman iron & chrome orb floor lamp for George Kovacs. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Mo...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Iron
- Post Modern Memphis Style Table Lamp by George Kovacs for Sonneman ca. 1990By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYSophisticated Post Modern, Memphis School candlestick form table lamp, designed by George Kovacs, for Robert Sonneman, ca.1990's. The lamp has a cone form shade ( 7.5 in. Dia. ) with decorative ball finial, on a slender center post, with a square ( 5 x 5 in. ) base. Gray finish with mat brass decorative trim elements. The lamp accepts a standard size halogen bulb, and still retains its original glass disk form diffuser. It is in very clean, original, and working condition, fully and correctly marked on verso, as shown. Please view the companion desk...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Robert Sonneman Desk or Table Lamp for George Kovacs, 1990By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Miami, FLDark bronzed metal base with wood accent and sandblasted opaque glass shade desk or table lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1990.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal