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Mid-Century Modern Lighting

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
1 of 2 Gilt Brass, Murano Glass Chandelier Palazzo, Kalmar, Austria, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Wonderful gilt brass chandelier comprises crystal Murano glass pieces on a gilded brass frame. It’s made by Kalmar (Series: Palazzo), Austria, manufactured, circa 1970-1979. 4 tie...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960's
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Max Ingrand Mod. 0556/B ceiling lamp for Fontana Arte
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tyringe Kunsthantverk Flushmounts, Sweden, 1975
Located in Bronx, NY
Flushmounts by Swedish Kunsthantverk from circa 1975 in exceptional great condition, detailed crystal glass shade on a copper-plated metal frame holding two European candelabra socke...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Copper

Reggiani of Italy 1970s Chrome & Glass Lens Abstract Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1970s geometric and abstract chrome and glass chandelier attributed to the Italian lighting company Reggiani. Twelve-light. Below each light is a suspended square plate w...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Bamboo Rattan and Wicker Weave Drum Pendant Light or Lantern
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish 1960s Mid-Century Modern bamboo and wicker wire pendant lamp or lantern. This suspension lamp features a woven wicker drum shaped lampshade ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Paper

1 of 2 Large Limburg Brass with Smoked Glass Ball Pendant, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 2 Large smoked glass ball pendants, manufactured by Limburg, Germany, circa 1970-1979. Sockets: One x E27 standard bulb Light bulbs are not included. It is possible to inst...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Smoked Glass

Mazzega Ceiling Chandelier "Torciglione", 1970s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
A rain of Murano glass spirals falling from the sky. This falling light has been made by Mazzega in Italy in 1970, each glass piece is attached to a delicate silver brass chain. The...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Single RAAK Organ Style Vintage Mid-Century Brass Pendant Light Lamp Fixture
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A single rare and unusual futuristic polished brass European pendant light fixture in a similar style to the 'Fuga' wall lights by Dutch firm RA...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

One of Three Mushroom Ceiling Lights
Located in Antwerp, BE
Three large mushroom ceiling lights. Netherlands, 1960s. Measures: Diameter 50 cm. Height 55 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Murano Glass Plates Chandelier, 1960s Italy
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Murano glass plates chandelier, 1960s Italy Fully functional. With six E14 sockets. Works with 220V and 110V. Wiring is suitable for all countries.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

1 'of 2' Big Round Murano Ice Glass Flushmount by Hillebrand, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful round ice glass flushmount by Hillebrand Leuchten, Germany, 1970s. Thick textured Murano ice glass fixture on a white metal base with t...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Wall Sconces by Diderot, circa 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Two patinas brass with glass shades pair of sconces by Diderot. Priced by pair. Max wattage: 75w/bulb. Backplate: 4" x 1.5". US wired and in working condition.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Two Glass and Brass Chandeliers
Located in Antwerp, BE
One brass chandelier with eight glass leaves. Total height 67 cm. Diameter:46 cm. Height fixture:30 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Italian Blue Stone Drops Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Six-arm chandelier with blue stone drops. Measures: Diameter 45 cm. Height fixture 45 cm. Total height 65 cm. Six E14 bulbs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Scolari Five, Arms Chrome and Fife Withe Opaline Glass Globes Chandelier
Located in Verviers, BE
5-arm chrome and opaline glass chandelier, 1960s Mid-Century Modern chandelier made in the 1960s. It has chrome arms, each with opaline glass shade in extraordinary shape. We...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Sergio Mazza Ceiling Pendant "Tau" for Artemide
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceiling pendant "Tau" by Sergio Mazza for Artemide. Made with textured glass, black enameled metal and nickel-plated brass. One medium base socket. Height adjustable. We take pride ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Mid-Century Glass & Metal Sqare Pendant Light by Napako, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage pendant light in a sqare shape, made of metal and pressed glass. Manufactured by Napako in the 1970's.Bulb: 2 x E25-E27. We also sell a matching wall lamp in rectagular shape.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Beautiful Cut Crystal Chandelier By J.L. Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with three rings with crystals and nine lights. Vienna form the 1950's, signatur on the frame. Dimention of the chandelier only is: diameter 44cm (17.32in) x 20c...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Gold Plate

Pair of Large German Vintage Ceiling or Wall Lights Flush Mounts Chandeliers 60s
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of large sculptural Sciolari style ceiling or wall flush mounts by Leola. Germany, 1960s.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Brass Suspensions with Half Glass Globes
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Tall suspension made of shiny brass with three levels of lights, hidden in a half brass and half glass sphere.
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Murano Glass Chandelier, Italy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian purple Murano glass chandelier with 36 discs. Measures: Diameter 48 cm. Height 57 cm. Total height including the chain 100 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

1 of 2 Stunning Chandelier, Chrome and Crystal Glass by Kinkeldey, Germany, 1970
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning three-tier chandelier by Kinkeldey, Germany, manufactured in circa 1970-1979. A handmade and high quality piece. The ceiling fixture and the frame are made of chrome and h...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Chrome

Pietro Chiesa Style Italian Lantern Pendant
Located in Hanover, MA
1940's Italian pendant lantern in the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Elegantly scrolled brass terminating in two scallop edged tulip form aluminum socket cups in original ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Isamu Noguchi Akari 16A Light Sculpture
Located in Dronten, NL
Akari 16A pendant designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1951. Manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Japan. Bambu structure covered by washi paper. Wired for U.S. standards. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

Rare & Elegant Mid-Century Modern Brass Church Pendant Lamp, Germany, 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern brass pendant lamp or hanging light. It was in use in a church. Designed & manufactured in Germany, 1950s. Executed in brass...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Akari Model 1AS Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 1AS light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with original Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. Akari light sculptures...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Minimalist Italian Floor Lamp Stilnovo Style 1950 Brass Mid-Century Design Light
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous minimalist Italian design floor lamp in style of Stilnovo 1950. Frame made out of patinated brass with unique minimalist design base. Gorgeous diabolo shaped shade in blac...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Chandeliers "Selectra" by Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of rare chandeliers by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Markaryd in white and black painted metal, and a grounded brass inner frame and pendulum. The pendulum can be made to desired len...
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large Gold Plated Sixteen-Light Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A lovely large Italian sixteen arms gilt metal chandelier. Measures: Diameter 90 cm. Height 90 cm. The light requires sixteen single E14 screw fit lightbulbs (60Watt max.) LED compa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Eight-Light Italian Smoked Glass and Brass Chandelier by Cristal Art, 1960s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This elegant chandelier was manufactured in Italy in the 1960s. It was produced by crystal Arte with a brass structure and eight cut-glass square shades. This pendant features an eig...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Stunning Large Sciolari Chrome Chandelier, Italy, 1960s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Nine-light brass chandelier in the style of Sciolari. 9 mouth-blown glasses which gives a very beautiful light effect. The frame is made of chrome metal and aluminum. High quali...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Glamorous Italian Murano Glass Sputnik Fixture
Located in Rome, IT
This large midcentury style chandelier with a stunning handblown 'lattimo' opalescent Murano glass spikes. Nickel frame with 20 E 14 light bulbs.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Italian Mid-20th Century Modern Chandelier by Sciolari
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful vintage chandelier from the Italian brand Sciolari. The lamp has a special design with clean lines and many angles. The lamp is ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Large Catena Ceiling Fixture with Murano Glasses by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Massive Kalmar model "Catena" pattern flushmount chandelier, the brass backplate supporting 18 large twisted and organically curved ribbon-form pieces of foam glass. Gorgeous and dra...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Doria Glass Tube Chandelier with Brass Surround, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant flush mount chandelier with organic glass tubes and a centre glass disc surrounded by a band of brass. Takes six medium E27 base bulbs up to 60 watts each. Height listed is o...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alberto Donà Mid-Century Modern White Murano Glass Sputnik Chandelier, 1980s
Located in Murano, Venezia
Fantastic chandelier in blown Murano glass with 30 elements white satin color and Sputnik in satin brass. This chandelier is a project of the Murano glass master Alberto Donà in 198...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Gabriella Crespi Vintage Brass Nickel Plexiglass Chandelier Pendant Fungo, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Gabriella Crespi vintage brass nickel plexiglass chandelier or pendant Fungo designed 1970s Italy. Gabriella Crespi (1922-2017) Gabriella Crespi presented her collections in Milan in...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Midcentury Sciolari Style Brass Chandelier, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Wonderful midcentury brass chandelier in the manner of Sciolari made by Staff Leuchten, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: 15 x E14 small bulbs./ max. 40 watt each- G...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Prescolite Minimalist White Three-Tier Saucer Pendant Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist three-tier white metal light fixture with suspended concentric rings by Prescolite, USA, circa 1950. Rewired; takes a standard U.S. bulb, 150 watts max. Reminiscent of li...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Ceiling Light, by Kamenicky Senov, 1970’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of glass, lacquered metal 4 x E14 or E15 socket Re-polished Fully functional Original condition.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

One of Two Italian Brass and Murano Glass Teardrop Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Italian brass and Murano glass teardrop chandeliers. Measure: Diameter 52 cm. Height fixture 45 cm. Total heigh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Art Glass Chandelier Lamp
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique 1950's Italian 8 candle brass and art glass chandelier. Artisan hand blown candle cups. Pictures tell the story of this incredible piece of functional art. Working order with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Italian Chandelier in Brass, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small chandelier in polished brass. It consists of 3 adjustable brass pipes/shades connected to a center disc. It's chain supported and still retain its original brass canopy/ceiling...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Venini Pendant Chandelier, Curved Crystal Glass & Gold Plated Brass.
Located in Weesp, NL
A stylish and classy Italian Hollywood Regency pendant Venini light, circa 1990's. This beauty is made of pairwise curved crystal Murano glasses ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Italian Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian brass chandelier with Murano glass shells. The light requires eight single E14 screw fit lightbulbs (60Watt max.) LED compatible. Diameter 70 cm. Height fixture 58 cm. Total...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Pendant Designed by Harvey Guzzini for Meblo, Space Age, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Produced by Meblo Italy. Good original and fully functional condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Monumental Kinkeldey Crystal Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A magnificent modern crystal chandelier by Kinkeldey with 65 asymmetrically faceted crystals. Stunning size and quality ! Nine E14 and one E27 bulbs. Measures: Diameter 48 cm. He...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Glass Pendant Light by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
Located in Berlin, BE
Made out of two pieces of pressed clear glass, that lamp was designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors. To be on the the safe side, the lamp should be checked locally by a specialist c...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Modern Vintage White Orange Blue Glass Chandelier Pendant Fog Morup
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage chandelier or pendant by Jacob E. Bang for Fog and Morup 1960s Denmark from glass in orange, blue and white color. The chandelier shows three multicolore...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Large Emil Stejnar Chandelier
Located in Miami, FL
A rare example of Emil Stejnar Sputnik chandelier 20 lights, 25 watts per light.  
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

J.T. Kalmar of Austria Ice Glass Chandelier
Located in Vienna, AT
Kalmar ice or frosted glass chandelier from about 1960's
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Four-Arm Murano Glass Chandelier Attributed to Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Small elegant clear Murano glass fixture with four-arms, glass stem and central bowl with bronze internal parts and canopy.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Elegant Murano Poliedri Ceiling Light, Multicolored Glasses
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Elegant Italian ceiling light made from 84 beautiful Murano multicolored glasses "poliedri". Structure in gold and brass colored metal. The glasses are pink, yellow and green, which ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Large Three-Tier Venini Murano Glass Tube Chandelier, 48 Glasses Clear Amber
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage chandelier in Murano glass and nickel-plated metal structure. The armor polished nickel supports 48 large clear amber glass tubes in a star shape. Period: 1980s Dim...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Louis Poulsen PH5 Pendant
Located in Vienna, AT
The Lamp was designed by Louis Poulsen. Designed to hang low over the table, they create a 100% glare-free light these pendants have purple band details on the underside and orange...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

1 'of 2' Big Round Murano Ice Glass Flushmount by Hillebrand, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful round ice glass flushmount by Hillebrand Leuchten, Germany, 1970s. Thick textured Murano ice glass fixture on a white metal base with three brass screws. High quality...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Italian Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian six-arm Murano glass chandelier. Diameter:70 cm. Height:70 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Large Flush Mount Glass Pendant of Wall Lights by N Leuchten, 1960s
Located in London, GB
One of eight flush mount pendants or wall lights in pressed glass with a typical 1960's abstract motive hold by a black metal frame with brass details, by N Leuchten...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Mid-century Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern lighting>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, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century 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 J.T. Kalmar, Fabio Ltd, Glashütte Limburg, and Kalmar Lighting. 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 $45 and tops out at $355,000 while the average work can sell for $2,150.

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