Counterweight Ceiling Light
Antique 1880s American Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Counterweight Ceiling Light For Sale on 1stDibs
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Finding the Right Chandeliers-pendant-lights for You
Chandeliers — simple in form, inspired by candelabras and originally made of wood or iron — first made an appearance in early churches. For those wealthy enough to afford them for their homes in the medieval period, a chandelier's suspended lights likely exuded imminent danger, as lit candles served as the light source for fixtures of the era. Things have thankfully changed since then, and antique chandeliers and pendant lights are popular in many interiors today.
While gas lighting during the late 18th century represented an upgrade for chandeliers — and gas lamps would long inspire Danish architect and pioneering modernist lighting designer Poul Henningsen — it would eventually be replaced with the familiar electric lighting of today.
The key difference between a pendant light and a chandelier is that a pendant incorporates only a single bulb into its design. Don’t mistake this for simplicity, however. An Art Deco–styled homage to Sputnik from Murano glass artisans Giovanni Dalla Fina, with handcrafted decorative elements supported by a chrome frame, is just one stunning example of the elaborate engineering that can be incorporated into every component of a chandelier. (Note: there is more than one lighting fixture that shares its name with the iconic mid-century-era satellite — see Gino Sarfatti’s design too.)
Chandeliers have evolved over time, but their classic elegance has remained unchanged.
Not only will the right chandelier prove impressive in a given room, but it can also offer a certain sense of practicality. These fixtures can easily illuminate an entire space, while their elevated position prevents them from creating glare or straining one’s eyes.
Certain materials, like glass, can complement naturally lit settings without stealing the show. Brass, on the other hand, can introduce an alluring, warm glow. While LEDs have earned a bad reputation for their perceived harsh bluish lights and a loss of brightness over their life span, the right design choices can help harness their lighting potential and create the perfect mood. A careful approach to lighting can transform your room into a peaceful and cozy nook, ideal for napping, reading or working.
For midsize spaces, a wall light or sconce can pull the room together and get the lighting job done. Perforated steel rings underneath five bands of handspun aluminum support a rich diffusion of light within Alvar Aalto's Beehive pendant light, but if you’re looking to brighten a more modest room, perhaps a minimalist solution is what you’re after. The mid-century modern furniture designer Charlotte Perriand devised her CP-1 wall lamps in the 1960s, in which a repositioning of sheet-metal plates can redirect light as needed.
The versatility and variability of these lighting staples mean that, when it comes to finding something like the perfect chandelier, you’ll never be left hanging. From the natural world-inspired designs of the Art Nouveau era to the classic beauty of Paul Ferrante's fixtures, there is a style for every room.
With designs for pendant lights and chandeliers across eras, colors and materials, you’ll never run out of options to explore on 1stDibs — shop a collection today that includes antique Art Deco chandeliers, Stilnovo chandeliers, Baccarat chandeliers and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024The lights that are in the ceiling are called recessed lights. There are two main categories of these lights: can and canless. A can recessed light sits inside a metal housing, allowing you to adjust its angle and control where the light aims. Canless recessed lights lack this housing, so they provide general ambient lighting. Shop a large collection of lighting on 1stDibs.
- What is a flush ceiling light?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A flush ceiling light shines light downward and sits flush against the ceiling. Flush ceiling lights are good for areas with shorter ceilings and for keeping dust and debris away from the bulb and shade because there is no space between the ceiling and the light itself. Shop a range of antique and vintage flush ceiling lights on 1stDibs.
- What is ceiling mounted light?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A ceiling mounted light can refer either to flush mount lights, which is mounted flush to the ceiling or recessed lighting, which is a bulb that’s installed into a hollow opening in the ceiling.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021As its name implies, a flush mount ceiling light is mounted flush to the ceiling. They’re a good alternative to recessed lighting.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Circle ceiling lights are called recessed light fixtures. In most spaces, they provide ambient light by focusing illumination down onto the room below. Shop a range of ceiling lights from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The best lighting depends on your space and style. It’s best to have multiple sources of light at different heights to ensure uniform illumination. With low ceilings, the ceilings should be painted white for a highly reflective surface. Flush mount lighting fixtures or a ceiling fan with a light is good for low ceilings. Shop a range of antique and vintage lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The best lighting for a kitchen ceiling is really a matter of preference. Some may opt for incandescent light, which provides a soft, warm yellowish light. Others may prefer halogen lights, which produce a crisp white light that is optimal for task lighting. Those who are concerned with energy use may prefer fluorescent lights, which have a long life.
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