Doria Flush Mounted

Following some of the darkest times in human history, mid-century furniture manufacturer Doria Leuchten emerged in post-WWII Germany as a purveyor of brilliantly designed table lamps, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures for homeowners of the era. 

Founded in 1945, the artisans at Doria Leuchten worked out of the Dynamit Nobel site in Fürth. Known during the first World War as one of the largest private primer manufacturing facilities in the world, it produced small-caliber cartridges for the German military during the second World War before being dismantled. The company moved to Werkstraẞe in Stadeln three years later, where their eye-catching high-end lamps — sculptural “cascading” chandeliers with Murano elements, hand-blown bubble glass table lamps mounted on chrome bases — would garner international acclaim. 

During the 1960s, Doria Leuchten attracted the talents of German industrial designer Wilhelm Braun Feldweg to create its celebrated Avus, Berlin-Serie and Modell 101 fixtures. Mid-century modern designer Klaus Slama was also brought on to design many lamps such as the Doria Mushroom table lamp. Many of the brand’s hanging lamps, including the 1968 Glass Tube Chandelier and the 1980 Pendelkrone, are winners of iF Design Awards. 

In 1986, owing to dwindling consumer demand for luxury lighting as compared to increasingly available cheaper alternatives, Doria Leuchten declared bankruptcy. It had been known by other names over the years such as DORIA-Werk, Beleuchtungsglas and Walter Donner GmbH & Co. KG. 

Find vintage Doria Leuchten flush mounts, floor lamps, lanterns and other lighting on 1stDibs.

Antique and vintage flush mount lighting fixtures can help you create inviting, ambient lighting in your space, and who doesn’t want that?

While electric light bulbs were a huge improvement over gas and oil lamps for lighting our homes, we still had much work to do in order to arrive at the broad range of table lamps, pendants, sconces and other fixtures that are available today.

Lighting technology and design improved substantially over time. Engaging engineers, scientists, architects and designers alike, the field of lighting became a major proving ground for state-of-the-art materials like plastics, inventive new mechanisms and emotionally resonant styles that included the ethereal (Isamu Noguchi’s Akari light sculpture), the whimsical (Gino Sarfatti’s 2109 ceiling light and Sputnik chandelier) and the eclectically postmodern (the Toio floor lamp crafted by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni). Eventually, flush mount light fixtures became a practical option for home lighting.

Flush mount lighting fixtures are among the most convenient ways to light a small room with a low ceiling. These structures sit directly against the ceiling’s surface and cast light downward, illuminating a large area and defining the room. Semi-flush mount lighting fixtures hang several inches from the ceiling. They also produce ambient light but can be a little more decorative and lean toward the style of chandeliers.

Flush mount lighting is versatile. Larger fixtures distribute more ambient light across the center of the room, while smaller flush mount fixtures are best for accent or task lighting. The main drawback of flush mount fixtures is that they don’t make a strong statement. You can remedy this by strategically arranging decorative accents that flourish in soft lighting.

Lighting is an essential part of any interior design project. Often, having the right light fixture is key to creating an attractive, radiant room. Ample lighting paired with enticing design creates an elevated, inviting atmosphere, helping to set the desired mood. Selecting the right lighting for your home, however, isn’t merely about creating an especially bright bedroom or a moody dining room. There are many different kinds of fixtures and illumination to consider, with flush mount lighting fixtures among them.

Make a statement with a<a href=/furniture/lighting/flush-mount-ceiling-lights/material/metal/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> metal flush mount lighting fixture — a copper or chrome fixture can prove dazzling in your living room. Art Deco flush mount lighting fixtures, with their geometrical shapes and unique detailing in crystal, glass and brass, will go toward creating a cohesive look amid your collection of authentic Art Deco era posters and other wall decor.

Hollywood Regency fixtures — defined by a flamboyant design style for which we credit decorator Dorothy Draper — can introduce glamour and glitz to your living room with their mirrored finishes and complex floral motifs.

Explore a collection of antique and vintage flush mount lighting fixtures on 1stDibs to see what style best suits your space.