Modern Lighting
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Set of Four Echo One Flush Mount in Brass, from Souda, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for a set of four the Echo One Flush Mounts. They also work well as sconces.
Simple, elegant and playful, the Echo Series is a line of surface-mount fixtures that ca...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Steel
Set of Three Contemporary Pendant Lamps 'Suprematic CS5' by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Suprematic lighting collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich.
Suprematism is a modernist movement in the art of the early 20th century, fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
Bronze Electric Candelabra Wall Sconce with Girl in Bonnet, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of vintage circa 1947 solid bronze electric candelabra wall sconces featuring a young girl in bonnet used in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair Baker Furniture Murano Frosted Glass table lamps large scaled Italy modern
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Amazing pair of frosted green table lamps - glass body is approx 11 inches diameter x 15 inches high plus 10-14 inch adjustable shade holder.
Shades photographed measure approx 18 in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Red Enamel Desk Lamp in the Style of Gilbert Rohde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite art deco enameled desk or table lamp in the style of Gilbert Rohde, c.1930s. The lamp features a red enameled cylindrical pivoting shade. The brass curved stem of the lamp con...
Category
1930s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Cuore N.10 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro. Peltro and Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cuore collection was conceived with the goal of creating fixtures that are unexpected yet clean and harmoniously balanced. This is highlighted by the organically styled shades sp...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Christian Liaigre Acier Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Christian Liaigre Acier Table Lamp, Bronze-painted metal spine with exposed cord power source and original paper cone-shaped shade.
This Bronze brass lamp blends in with all types o...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Cloud N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
Intersecting semi circles and round alabaster shades come together in the Cloud N.5 ceiling light to create a piece that feels sculptural yet light and dynamic. The five shades are c...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
Intersecting semi circles and round alabaster shades come together in the Cloud N.5 ceiling light to create a piece that feels sculptural yet light and dynamic. The five shades are c...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Peltro Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Scagliola Table Lamp
Located in Worcester, GB
Handcrafter scagliola table lamp made from hues of turquoise blue and autumnal veining.
Crafted using traditional 17th century techniques, each piece is mixed, cast and polished by ...
Category
2010s British Modern Lighting
Materials
Scagliola
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Moon Mandala Chandelier by Lorin Silverman
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass, patinated brass. gold foil. Teal-blue, blown glass bowls with white, sculpted blown-glass diffusers. Glass bowls embedded with gold foil. 8 x E12, (candelabra) sockets. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Foil
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Peltro Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished nickel-...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished brass-s...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Copper, Bronzed Modernist Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Custom pair of copper plated modernist lamps with bronzed front concave panels. Professionally rewired for use in USA, 100W bulb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in Bronzo Nuvolato-...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Chrome 24 Bulb Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Elevate your space with timeless elegance and striking illumination courtesy of this Large Mid Century Modern Chrome Chandelier. With its sleek chrome finish and minimalist design, t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Shell Wall Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell wall light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in Bronzo Nuvolato-sub...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Shell Wall Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell wall light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished nickel -su...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Contemporary-Modern Wall Light Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted wall lamp model "Square Candle", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, Square Candle, is...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Handcrafted Magnum Lamp of Orange/Copper Ash and Walnut
By WOODSPORT
Located in St. Paul, MN
Handcrafted lamp of selected ash and walnut, laminated and turned on a lathe. Horizontal grooves are cut into the surface to intersect with the vertical grain patterns of the tree's ...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Walnut, Ash
Ecru Alba Lamp by Ana Tron
Located in Geneve, CH
Ecru Alba Lamp by Ana Tron
Handmade
Dimensions: Base: D 16 x H 52 cm. Screen: D 36 x H 25 cm.
Materials: Recycled paper with paste, paint chalk, and matt water-based varnish. Interna...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Lighting
Materials
Epoxy Resin, Paper
French Modernist Carved Stone Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 20th-century French Modernist-in-Spirit carved limestone table lamp is a captivating fusion of form and function. Carved in a stylized crashing wave form, it exudes dynamic energy and fluidity, capturing the essence of movement frozen in stone. With one bulb positioned in the center, the soft glow emanates from within, casting a warm and inviting ambiance.
Despite its small scale, this lamp commands attention with its bold design and striking presence, making it ideal for placement on a nightstand, entry console table, or in a powder room. Its versatility allows it to serve as either a gentle night light or a luminous mantle light...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Lighting
Materials
Limestone
A Lunel wall lamp
By Lunel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare large sconce Maison Lunel
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Modern Italian Ethereal Allure of Alabaster - Offset Globe Lamp in bronze
Located in Milano, IT
The Alabaster Globe table lamp is a stunning piece that exudes elegance and sophistication. The lamp features two half spheres of backlit alabaster, held together by a thin brass con...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Hand Built Glazed Ceramic Night Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Glazed Ceramic Night Lamp
Offered for sale is a handmade functional art ceramic night lamp that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. Rexx is a painter and ceramicist. He ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Decorative Pendant lamp Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted pendant lamp model "STECCA", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
This model has a 220 cm lenght...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lugo, IT
Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani.
Dual ignition
Good Condition
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
A Pair of Brass Torcheres Ca' 1950's
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylish vintage brass torchères in Paavo Tynell/Lightolier style. Elegant with nice patina and tarnishing, pull down chain switches. E...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Extendable Wall Lamp By Franco Mirenzi for Valenti 1970'S
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Extendable wall lamp in chrome-plated metal, painted iron with perspex diffuser designed by Franco Mirenzi and produced by Valenti, 1970s.
Max. length 300 cm (118"), min. length 200 ...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Iron
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Wall Light Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted wall lamp model "WANDY", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, Wandy, recalls its geomet...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Art Deco Wall Sconces by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of elegant French Art Deco hand carved plaster wall sconces contemporary design by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier in the shape of a torch. Each sconce uses a candelabra based bulb, ...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Steel Wall Lamps, France, c. 1970
Located in New York City, NY
Price is per wall lamp; two available.
Pair of stainless steel wall lights with mirrored finish.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Ilana Goor Floor Lamp
By Ilana Goor
Located in West Palm Beach, US
This quite impressive floor lamp has great patina. It stands at 80.75”. It’s a great statement piece that is worthy to be in the Ilana Goor Museum in Israel. The footed base is a won...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Shell Wall Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell wall light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished brass -sub...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Leaf Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Leaf ceiling light recalls nature with its branching arms and Tuscan alabaster “leaves” giving it a distinctive modern organic look.
Shown in the primary images in satin brass-s...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Large, Five Arm, Heron Lamp from J.T. Kalmar, 1930's
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, Austria
A rare J. T. Kalmar Heron suspension chandelier ( model 3639 ) from the 1930's.
The brass frame has a sculptured form that supports five conical shades, t...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Uno Square Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Uno Square ceiling light exemplifies simple elegance via its clean profile designed around a single Murano glass shade.
Shown in the primary images in Bronzo Ottone-subsequent p...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Leaf Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Leaf ceiling light recalls nature with its branching arms and Tuscan alabaster “leaves” giving it a distinctive modern organic look.
Shown in the primary images in satin brass-s...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Satinated Brass and Alabaster Spiral Shades Ten Arms of Light Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Long chandelier made of satinated brass with new spiral shaped alabaster diffusers.
the two sized arms are alternated on the structure for a symetrical look.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Alessandro Mendini “Cubosfera” Table Lamp Metal Crome Glass 1968 Italy
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
The Cubosfera table lamp by Alessandro Mendini for Fidenza Vetraria is clearly one of the Italian design classics. Great design made of solid crystal glass. There is a hollow ball in...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Satinated Brass and Alabaster Spiral Shades Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Adjustable satinated brass wall sconces with new spiral shaped alabaster diffuser.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Satinated Brass and Alabaster Spiral Shades Six Arms of Light Floor Lamp
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Satinated brass floor lamp made of a round base and six tilted arms of light topped by new spiral shaped alabaster diffuser.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Blom - Medium Table Lamp - Yellow - Fontana Arte By Andreas Engesvik
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Table lamp with diffused light adjustable by moving the petals. Frame made of painted aluminium with polycarbonate petals. Diffuser made of milk-white and opaline polyethylene. Trans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Peono Table Lamp in White Alabaster
Located in Consuegra, ES
Spherical lines layered elegantly to form a bold, modern shape. The Peono table lamp marries materials and plays with contrasts. Alabaster, marble or wood can be associated to the so...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Decorative Pendant lamp Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted pendant lamp model "Riga 1402", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, "Riga", is the Ita...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Terracotta Bust Table Lamp with Darkened Metal Base, 20th C.
Located in New York City, NY
Unglazed unique terracotta table lamp with a darkened metal base.
Category
20th Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
1970's Restored and Rewired Danish Glass Flush Mounts, Wall Scones
Located in Knebel, DK
1970's Restored and rewired Danish flush mounts, wall scones in glass
The flush mounts were manufactored by Knud Christensen Electric feature a completely rewired 1 light fixture ...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Brass Chandelier in the style G.C.M.E Italy
By G.C.M.E
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural ceiling light with multiple positions for light mobility. Each cone can be maneuvered as well as angled in the center of the hanging rod.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Decorative Pendant lamp Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted pendant lamp model "Riga 2200", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, "Riga", is the Ita...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Uno Square Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Alpine Green and Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Uno Square ceiling light exemplifies simple elegance via its clean profile designed around a single Murano glass shade.
Shown in the primary images in Alpine Green and satin bra...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern 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, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Vistosi, Artemide, Flos, and DOOQ. 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.
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