International Style Lighting
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: International Style
Original Olympia Pendant Light by Daniela Puppa for Fontana Arte
Located in Aspen, CO
Original Olympia pendant light created in 1984 by Daniela Puppa for Fontana Arte. The pendant features a large frosted and clear glass disc on top of a conical milk glass piece that ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Alta Lamp, by Rain, Contemporary Floor Lamp, Solid Ebonized Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Alta is a floor lamp whose upward light creates a diffused illumination that hangs over the piece. The design seeks inspiration in the characteristic monumentality of the Brazilian M...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Wood
Arco Lamp, Silver, by RAIN, Contemporary Table Lamp, Stainless Steel
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Arco Lamps are made from a prolonged section of circle that stand out by the discontinuity of its shape. The collection consists of lamps that seem to penetrate the surfaces they...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Three-Light Meander Flexible Arm Ceiling Mounted Light Fixture
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Ceiling mounted Meander light featuring three flexible metal arms which allow you to adjust and pose the light fixture; shown here with metal arms in standard black finish, and solid brushed brass fittings; 27 inch arms, 6 inch diameter ceiling mount. Overall measurements depend on how it is posed. Custom finishes, leather wrapping and custom configurations are available, please visit us at Avantgarden in Pound Ridge...
Category
2010s North American International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass, Metal
Italian Table Lamp
Located in Long Island, NY
An Italian beautiful Table Lamp Unique .
Category
Early 2000s Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Fabric
AZO Wall Lamp, by Rain, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Polished
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Azo comes from the intention of creating a sconce with vertical lighting.
Its shape is the result of a longitudinal cut in a cylinder with rounded ends,
with the length reduced on on...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Moroccan Gilt Brass Six Light Oil Lamp Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Moroccan gilt brass reticulated six-light hanging oil pendant lamp on openwork chains.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
AZO Wall Lamp, by Rain, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Azo comes from the intention of creating a sconce with vertical lighting.
Its shape is the result of a longitudinal cut in a cylinder with rounded ends,
with the length reduced on on...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Ferrão 7/8" Wall Lamp, 190cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ferrão 7/8" Pendant Lamp, 190cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ferrão 7/8" Pendant Lamp, 130cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ferrão 7/8" Pendant Lamp, 160cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ferrão 7/8" Wall Lamp, 130cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ferrão 7/8" Wall Lamp, 160cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Brass
Val Saint Lambert Table Lamp with Pucci Lamp Shade
Located in Hamburg, DE
Unique Table Light: Val Saint Lambert crystal lamp base,
Size crystal base 19 cm Hx 10cm W
Total height table lamp: base with lamp shade 35 cm,
Lamp shade in printed twill silk, colors: wine red, ginger, pink, white and blue signed Pucci , made from vintage Pucci silk...
Category
1960s French Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Articulating EB 27 Angle Poise Desk Lamp Designed by Buquet, C. 1990's
Located in New York, NY
Iconic articulating desk, table lamps, originally designed in the 1920's by Edouard Wilfred Buquet, this example is circa 1990's. The lamp features two arms, which are fully jointed,...
Category
Late 20th Century German International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
Fontana Arte by Pietro Chiesa chandelier in engraved glass and metal circa 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fontana Arte by Pietro Chiesa in engraved glass, metal and wood circa 1970
Category
1970s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Italian Brass Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 1960’s brass wall sconces by Tobias Fraum. Created through the marriage of laquered metal base and brass folded sheet, it follows a tipical mid-century metal processing technique: calendering, a metal bending technique often used to create a “shade” for lamps. It was used in many furniture designs of the 50s and 60s in Europe, such as the famous Foglia sconces...
Category
1960s European Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Brazilian Chandelier in Jacaranda, glass and metal Joaquim Tenreiro 1970.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and rare chandelier attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro in Jacaranda, glass and metal circa 1970.
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
lampadaires italiens des années 70 abat jour en plexiglass ambré pied marbre
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare set de 3 lampadaires italiens des années 70 en plexiglass et laiton piétement marbre en très bon état
Quelques traces d'usure
Category
1970s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Art Deco Table Lamp With Lamp Shade In Hand Marbled Silk
Located in Hamburg, DE
The crystal ball is mounted an a chrome base
Size crystal base 10cm Dia x 120cm H including bulb socked
Total height table lamp: base with lamp shade 40cm,
Lamp shade is hand crafted...
Category
1630s French Antique International Style Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Modernist Leather and Steel Table Lamp by Walter Von Nessen c 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Chic and sophisticated Modernist School table lamp by Walter Von Nessen, made by Nessen Studios. The cylindrical body is wrapped in black leather, the base is chrome and the top is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American International Style Lighting
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Mme Journel brazilian chrome 1950 metal table lamps.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Mme Journel brazilian chrome 1950 metal pair of table lamps.
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
Arco Lamp, Gold, by RAIN, Contemporary Wall Lamp, Stainless Steel
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Arco lamps are made from a prolonged section of circle that stand out by the discontinuity of its shape. The collection consists of lamps that seem to penetrate the surfaces they...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Venini Murano glass pair of sconces circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of Venini sconces in Murano glass circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian white 1960 glass, marble and wood table lamp.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible FONTANA ARTE italian 1960 white glass, marble and wood table lamp.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Marble
Pepperwood Burl Pendant Lamp
By James Galileo Designs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trees make themselves from light and air. These handmade lamps celebrates both light and air by giving trees new life. Our lamps are made using a process that stabilizes the wood ven...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Lighting
Materials
Burl
Venini table lamp in orange Murano glass circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big table lamp in Murano glass orange attributed to Venini&C. circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
STILNOVO - Floor Lamp - Midcentury 20th Century
Located in Milano, IT
It is one of the most successful lamp models of the Stilnovo company, original from 1950, plus it has its original Murano glass panes in etched glass .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Large Padauk Cubix Lamp
By James Galileo Designs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trees make themselves from light and air. These handmade lamps celebrates both light and air by giving trees new life. Our lamps are made using a process that stabilizes the wood ven...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Lighting
Materials
Padouk
Italian Giltmetal and Painted Six Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian painted wood and giltmetal cage form crystal hung six light chandelier, with turned canopy conjoining six s-curve supports around a painted wooden urn, each mounted with a si...
Category
Late 20th Century International Style Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
TASCA italian lamp in porcelain masque multicolor painted circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible TASCA porcelain italian masque multicolor table lamp circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Archimede Seguso Murano glass blue and gold 1950 "sfumato oro" table lamp pair.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of table lamps in Murano Glass by ARHIMEDE SEGUSO sfumato oro circa 1950. Fantastic.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Table lamp attributed to Ercole Barovier circa 1940 "Primavera" Murano glass
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp in Murano glass attributed to Ercole Barovier "Primavera" glass circa 1950
Category
1940s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Carved Italian Alabaster Lovebird Table Lamp Italian, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Carved Italian Alabaster Lovebird Table Lamp Italian, 20th Century
Two piece shade over column in white alabaster with gray inclusions
Finely carved peach faced lovebird with glass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Sevres table lamp in handmade glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
France table lamp in handmade glass attributed to Sevres circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
Saarinen table lamp in glass and metal attributed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp attributed to Eero Saarinen in glass and metal lacquered.
Category
1970s Finnish Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
Jorge Zalszupin pair of table lamps in Jacaranda and acrylic circa 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and rare pair of table lamps in Jacaranda and acrylic in perfect conditions very charm
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Wood
Archimede Seguso table lamp with gold and applied glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso with gold and applied glass.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Chrome Lamp with Burlap Shade by Nessen Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chrome lamp with burlap shade by Nessen Lighting.
Dimensions listed (14 in. diameter x 22 in. tall) are the overall dimensions of the lamp with the shade.
Category
1960s American Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Dominici table lamp in glass, metal and marble.
By Dominici
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original table lamp by Dominici signed in the base.
Category
1970s Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Glass
Murano table lamp attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano table lamp attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte in "costolato" yellow. Perfect conditions.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Fontana Arte table lamp circa 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Italian table lamp in glass, metal and mirror in perfect condition , very rare.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
Pair of David Weeks Studio Two Arm Sconces Model #203
By David Weeks
Located in New York, NY
Vintage pair of David Weeks two arm sconces model #203 are formed of two polished nickel over steel arms affixed to a solid wood wall mount.
Each arm swings independently from side to side to cast light where necessary.
The hand-spun aluminum shades...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Pair of Space Age lamps by ANVIA, Pop Art - Holland 1970s
By Anvia
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of lamps made of red enameled metal and white plexiglass.
Perfect condition with its original color from the 1970s.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
High Grade Flex Arm Desk Lamp After Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional high grade flex arm desk lamp, after the iconic Von Nessen design. This example features a large disk base ( 11 in. Dia. ) with two arms...
Category
Mid-20th Century German International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal
Aldo van den Nieuwelaar ‘Circle’ Wall light perspex with TL-tube for Nila Lights
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Rare and Important “Circle” wall light. These wall objects, were made in 3 dimensions, 100, 120 and 150 cm. and thick 6 cm. Signed with paper label by designer / manufacturer.
Perma...
Category
1980s Dutch Vintage International Style Lighting
Materials
Acrylic
Large Moser Gilt and Cut-Glass Column Table Lamp, Early 20th Century
By Moser
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large moser gilt and cut-glass column table lamp
1st half of 20th century.
Facet cut and gilt tapered column on spreading foot
with thistle-shape...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech International Style Lighting
Materials
Glass
Sculptural White Plaster Uplight
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural white plaster uplight, of round, spiral grooved form on a turned socle and round base. Measures : 11" Height x 8" diameter
Dealer: S138XX.
Category
Mid-20th Century International Style Lighting
Materials
Plaster
Arco Lamp, Off-White, by Rain, Contemporary Wall Lamp, Stainless Steel
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Arco lamps are made from a prolonged section of circle that stand out by the discontinuity of its shape. The collection consists of lamps that seem to penetrate the surfaces they...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern Italian Borosilicate Glass Suspension Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Studio Design F+B, it is a mini suspension lamp part of a lighting project comprehending pendant glass balls floating in the air, making spectacular lighting effects. It ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Italian Borosilicate Glass Suspension Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Studio Design F+B, it is a big suspension lamp part of a lighting project comprehending pendant glass balls floating in the air, making spectacular lighting effects. It i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Italian Borosilicate Glass Suspension Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
"Designed by Studio Design F+B, this Spark lamp is part of a family of suspension lamps that can be composed of single lamps or by cluster stems with 6 or 9 smoke-grey balls. This ve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Italian Borosilicate Glass Suspension Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
"Designed by Studio Design F+B, this Spark lamp is part of a family of suspension lamps that can be composed of single lamps or by cluster stems with 6 or 9 smoke-grey balls. This ve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Italian Lacquered Metal and Concrete Floor Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Studio Design F+B, this floor lamp is made of a metal frame in dark brass and a concrete base, it is a metal arch melded into a concrete ball,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Concrete, Metal, Brass
Modern Italian Lacquered Metal and Concrete Floor Lamp from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Studio Design F+B, this floor lamp is made of a metal frame in dark brass and a concrete base, it is a metal arch melded into a concrete ball,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Lighting
Materials
Concrete, Metal, Brass
Arco Lamp, Terracotta, by Rain, Contemporary Table Lamp, Stainless Steel
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Arco lamps are made from a prolonged section of circle that stand out by the discontinuity of its shape. The collection consists of lamps that seem to penetrate the surfaces they...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Orbe Wall Lamp Small, by Rain, Contemporary Lamp, Brass & Aluminium, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Orbe is a wall lamp with indirect light, designed to provide soft illumination to the environment.
The piece has a simple structure, composed by the minimum required for its functionality: the front box houses the light source and provides the weight that supports the set; the conical plate has the function of gradually rebounding the light, creating a nuance of shade that encicles its volume; the back support provides stability to the piece and completes its silhouette. Each of these elements is marked by the use of different colors and finishes that seek to emphasize the precise constitution of the Orbe lamp.
Its name alludes to the aesthetics of the object, given by the conjunction of the geometric design with its metallic finishes and matte colors. At the same time, the circular reflector that surrounds the frontal totem sets...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
International Style lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique International Style lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Brazil, and South America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Bontempi Casa, Nessen Studio, Archimede Seguso, and Stilnovo. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $275 and tops out at $21,000 while the average work can sell for $2,100.
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