Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

32
17,201
3,273
562
to
893
11,570
8,195
21,036
6,989
11,493
54,892
21,036
8,968
7,005
3,700
2,805
2,076
1,519
1,501
928
821
763
666
623
496
393
227
120
18
12
3,243
17,763
44
793
2,028
1
6
51
81
124
400
916
537
217
Height
to
Width
to
19,120
14,689
12,845
13,208
12,566
12,968
12,435
12,862
12,387
12,744
12,237
12,685
15,287
8,268
6,343
2,690
2,463
16,197
9,286
3,202
2,744
1,309
981
876
627
486
424
Style: Modern
Lampada a sospensione nello stile di Stilnovo - vetro opalino
Located in Lugo, IT
Lampada a sospensione in vetro opalino. Buone condizioni. 39 cm altezza vetro Grazie
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLIS - Solid brass floor light handmade by Diaphan Studio
Located in Milan, IT
Flis is a sculptural floor lamp, a dynamic composition of two floating cubes. Each viewpoint unveils a different silhouette, a playful act between two elements reaching at their vertices, occasionally converging into a unity. When lit, the two cubes display...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Table Lamp Vacune Model by Eleonore Peduzzi Riva for Artemide, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Table lamp in milky and transparent blown glass. Artemide production. Designed by Eleonore Peduzzi Riva in 1968. Biography Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva (born in Milan, 1939) is an Italian...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Murano Jet Black and Pulegoso Glass Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Magnificent pair of handblown Murano glass lamps in jet black and "Pulegoso" opaline glass with brass ring elements. Rewired for the US. Pulegos...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Artemide Itka Table Light in White by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Magnificently simple and powerful, Naota Fukasawa’s Itka subtly but uniformly spreads light. Made of opaline frosted glass on a white lacquered metal base, the table lamp is LED and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modernist Handblown Smoked Murano Glass Starburst Chandelier in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist Sputnik chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Artemide Lineaflat Dimmable Mini Dual Light in White by NA Design
Located in Hicksville, NY
Wall or ceiling mounted luminaire for direct, indirect or direct/indirect lighting. Extruded aluminium body in textured white or textured anthracite finish with aluminium end caps m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Murano Glass Black Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Wonderful sputnik Murano chandelier with multiple smoked "Triedi" stems shooting out from a brushed nickel sphere. This piece is iconic and will be a show stopper in your home. This ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Pao 2, table lamp in glass and wood, Arteluce, Italy 1993
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful high table lamp, model PAO 2, with a satin-finished glass base, base in laquered wood and shade in soft white opaline. Designed by Matteo Thun (Italy 1952) for Arteluce, ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Palwa Gilded Brass and Crystal Glass Encrusted Pendant Lamp
Located in Berlin, BE
Palwa gilded brass and crystal glass encrusted pendant lamp, model S107. The lamp is handmade and in excellent condition and float every room in a beautiful warm light. It is fitted ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Salvador Dalí Cajones Sculpture Linen Shade Lamp
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s drawings for Jean Michel Frank. With this, Dalí introduced the little drawers at the base of the lamp, an idea he alread...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wood

orange table lamp "Miss Pack" from Alvino Bagni for Tacchini, 2000s
Located in Saarburg, RP
MISS PACK table lamp This fabulous orange "Miss Pac" (Miss Pack) table lamp is made of glazed ceramic and was designed by the well-known ceramist Alvino Bagni around the year 2000....
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Fantasma, Floor Lamp, Flos, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Fantasma A floor lamp, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shade. Produced by Flos. Circa 1964. Italy. Note One lamp in the collection...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Resin

Groove Series Low Pod Pendant, Modern Handmade Glass Lighting
Located in New York, NY
These hanging lights feature an embedded groove that offers a precise, machine-made quality to offset these otherwise wholly handmade creations. Whether showcased individually, as an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Murano Abstract Sommerso Glass "Tempest" Lamps 2024
Located in New York, NY
A modern take on a traditional method. This artisan pair of clear Murano glass block lamps contain a frenetic abstract swirl of vibrant green sommerso glass set against a polished br...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Surrealist standing lamp by Salvador Dalí model "Muletas" white linen shade
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s designs for Jean Michel Frank. The ‘Muletas’ had its beginnings at the surreal stage and is an obsession which persists in Dalí’s works as can be se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wood

Bonnie Contemporary LED Medium Pendant, Solid Brass or Chromed
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is st...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Floor Lamp Iron Shiny Blackened, Led
Located in Roeselare, BE
floor lamp of black lacquered iron, shiny. with E27 led lamp or bulb of 60 watt. the lampshade above can be moved from back to front. Interesting reading lamp. Fits in any interior.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Brass Wall Light Glas e14 Led Lamp
Located in Roeselare, BE
This wall light is made of brass profiles, chemically blackened. With wire glass and 3 e27 sockets with led lamp. For inside as well as outside.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Cylinder Wall Fixture Linen and Brass
Located in Roeselare, BE
Wall fixture in cylinder form made in brass and white linen. Also available as pendant. Available in round ceiling fixture and square wall fixture.
Category

Early 2000s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

21st Century White Ceiling Fixture, Arne Quinze by Atelier Boucquet
Located in Roeselare, BE
Spacy Ceiling fixture of polycarbonate painted mat white with leds, integrated driver.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Polyester

Contemporary Wall Luminaire Brass LED
Located in Roeselare, BE
A wall fixture made of blackened brass in the form of an organ pipe. Outside black. Inside yellow brass. Above e27 lamp, at the bottom GU10 lamp. Or led.
Category

Early 2000s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Modern Wrought Iron White Lantern, Sold Individually, 4 Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Wrought Iron White Lantern, Sold Individually, 4 Available France, Circa 1950s A rare find, Made in France circa 1950s, each sleek lantern stands 22 inches high and ha...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

"Galba" Contemporary Wall Sconce, Wall Light in White Plaster, Benediko
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
The Galba Wall Light is hand formed from two parts, which are positioned in way that provide soft ambient back light. Each piece is beautifully sculpted by our artists in our worksho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Visionnaire Isottta Chain Link Luxury Table Lamp Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This great Italian Visionnaire Isotta table lamp is aluminum with chain link metal aluminum original chic shade. It has great ambient lighting at night through the chain link shade. ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pair of Tall 'Pyramide' Brass Console Lamps by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of tall 'Pyramide' brass console lamps by Design Frères. Designed to create a captivating ambiance, these Pyramide™ console or floor lamps casts a soft, indirect glow onto the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

“Flame” contemporary small wall sconce White Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Established & Sons Opaline Blue Audrey Pendant Light by Venini & Michael Eden
Located in London, GB
Michael Eden’s interpretation of ""Continuous Profile - Head of Mussolini, 1933"" using the profile of classic beauty, Audrey Hepburn is used for the Audr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Garden Plaster Chandelier by Apsara Interiors
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Garden plaster chandelier by Tracey Garet for Apsara Interiors. Plaster 2 layer garden chandelier This garden chandelier has two layers and has a white...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Linear Italian Alabaster Wall Sconce "Shield", Brushed Bronze
Located in Milano, IT
Shields wall sconce is a carefully crafted piece that combines elements of history, culture, and natural materials. The brushed bronze and alabaster materials create a tactile and vi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Italian Murano Glass Gold Leaves Modern Flush Mount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
Exclusive production with precious Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion, creating a fabulous light effect. Available also with ice color glasses. Frame; gold-plated or nickel. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Bonnie Cluster 3 (6 Large), Brass Sculptural Chandelier, Handmade in Sweden
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is sh...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

FIN Shade Table Lamp, Gold Glaze Finish, hanbuilt ceramic lamp by Kalin Asenov
Located in Savannah, GA
FIN _November Green Each piece is individually built in Kalin Asenov’s studio in Savannah, GA. Due to the nature of production, please allow for slight variations in dimensions and ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Set 4 Green Olive Linen Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
Set four linen lampshades in green olive color. Suitable for Baccarat wall light model Torch. Free shipping in EU and the rest of the world.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Linen

Unique Disk Pendant by Hatsu
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique disk pendant by Hatsu Dimensions: W 65 x D 65 x H 60 cm Materials: powdercoated sheet, plated steel LED temperature color: 3000K Lumens 450 ...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Elise 60 Floor Lamp in Black Marble by Pablo Designs
Located in San Francisco, CA
The timeless Elise lamp pays tribute to the advent of the machine age. Its refined machined marble base, combined with its towering frosted acrylic diffuser...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble

Two 1980s Modernist White Wavy Murano Glass Rectangular Wall Sconces by Leucos
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These Wall Sconces by Leucos exemplify the sleek and avant-garde aesthetic of the era. Each sconce features a rectangular high-quality white Murano glass, renowned for its clarity an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Viscontea, Pendant Light Flos
Located in Paris, FR
Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913-1968) Viscontea A resin and metal pendant light, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shad...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Les-Ottomans Venetian Handmade Big Lampshade
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Inspired by the typical Venetian shades this ikat one - completely handmade represents at its best the meeting of East and West.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cotton

Modern Saldanha Table Lamp, Onyx Base, Black Shade, Handmade in Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
Saldanha Table Lamp, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. A luxurious table lamp, Saldanha creates the subliminal ambiance for exceptional living. The c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Onyx, Stainless Steel

Art Deco Valverde Floor Lamp Brushed Brass Black Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Valverde floor lamp, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The luxurious Art Deco floor lamp Valverde creates a subliminal ambience for extraordinary liv...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Isis Contemporary Wall Sconce, Wall Light in White Plaster Finish, Benediko
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
The Isis Wall Sconce is inspired by the sacred boat of the goddess Isis. Each piece is hand formed and beautifully sculpted by our artists in our workshop. LAMP 2 x 320lm(3w) LED G...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modern Pessoa Hanging Lamp, Marble Brass, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pessoa Hanging Lamp, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Pessoa hanging lamp pays homage to Fernando Pessoa, a renowned literary figure cele...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Ralph Lauren Creamy White Crackle and Brass Ginger Jar Lamp With Pleated Shade
Located in Cookeville, TN
The Ralph Lauren Creamy White Crackle and Brass Ginger Jar Lamp With Pleated Shade combines classic elegance and modern sophistication. Crafted with precision, its crackle ceramic ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Groove Series Socket Pendant, Modern Handmade Glass Lighting
Located in New York, NY
These hanging lights feature an embedded groove that offers a precise, machine-made quality to offset these otherwise wholly handmade creations. Whether showcased individually, as an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

“Pagoda” contemporary Table Lamp, gold silk, Silvered Crystal Tip, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
PAGODA The calm of resonating with your inner peace For 20 years, we have been committed to offering you unique collections in terms of design and quality. Today we honor the handma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. Available also a ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Ruban Pendant, White Plaster Finish, Benediko
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
Each Ruban Pendant is individually handmade, characterised by its clean, sculptural aesthetic. We currently have one available. MINIMUM DROP- 100cm / 39 1/4” LAMP 4 x 320lm(3w) LED...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modernist Pair of Handblown X-Form Lamps in Handblown Murano Mercury Glass
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of table lamps were hand blown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. They feature tapere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Modern Sublime Arc Floor Lamp. Gun Metal Marble, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sublime Arc Floor Lamp, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Sublime arc floor lamp brings the creative vision to life through its organic de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Black Sublime Arc Floor Lamp, Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sublime Arc Floor Lamp, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Sublime arc floor lamp brings the creative vision to life through its organic de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Set/2 Modern Table Lamps, Ceramic, Silk Lampshade, Handmade Portugal, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Gomes table lamps, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Gomes is an elegant table lamp and an attractive addition to a modern home. The white c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Groove Series Orb Tilt Pendant in Grey, Contemporary Handmade Glass Lighting
Located in New York, NY
These hanging lights feature an embedded groove that offers a precise, machine-made quality to offset these otherwise wholly handmade creations. Whether showcased individually, as an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Set/2 Modern Table Lamps, Glass Base, Silk Lampshade, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Modern Table Lamps, Glass Base, Silk Lampshade, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. This is an elegant table lamp and an attractive addition to a modern home. The b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Orion bed lamp by Emilie Lemardeley, 21st century, brass & hand blown glass
Located in Clamart, FR
Articulated bed lamp (left/right) Artist: Emilie Lemardeley Handmade in France, 21st century Massive brass and hand blown glass Width: 28.5 cm Height: 30 cm Deep: 5,5 cm We...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Kartell Mini Geen-A Lamp in Bronze by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Geen-a is Kartell's first reading lamp, supplementing the brand’s lighting range with a product designed for this specific purpose. The simple lines conceal a real sense of attitude, while the clean shape – free from showy tech features – has a familiar yet intriguing effect. The piece consists of a base, a lightshade, three LED bulbs, a stem and a handle for easy transportation, while three matt-finish colours are available: white, black and brick. This is a simple lamp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

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.

Read More

Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?

Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.

See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes

There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.

Why Drew McGukin’s Colorful Home Differs from Those of His Clients

The New York–based designer has a high-impact style that's all his own, as his loft in the Chelsea Flower District makes abundantly clear.

Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces

Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.

New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present

The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.

How a Modernist Hamptons Home on the Water Became the Ideal Weekend Refuge

Damon Liss and Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects collaborated on this serene getaway for a minimalism-minded Manhattan family of four.

Desert Modern Designer Arthur Elrod Finally Gets His Day in the Sun

The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.

Artelinea, Mexico City’s One-Stop Contemporary Design Shop, Paves the Way for a New Wave of Mexican Designers

Wielding her influence on the international scene, founding partner Andrea Cesarman expands the platform for Mexican artisans.

Recently Viewed

View All