Limburg Glashütte bubble glass pendant light , 1970’s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Delft, NL
Limburg Glashütte bubble glass pendant light , 1970’s
Category
Vintage 1970s German Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
German Bubble Light
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Bubble Glass Wall Lamp or Flush Light by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg
By Doria Leuchten Germany, Gaetano Sciolari, Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally large and beautiful bubble glass wall or ceiling lamp from the 1960s. Fantastic design and high quality workmanship. The lamp impresses with its imposing size and the s...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Bubble Glass Wall Lamp or Flush Light by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg
By Helena Tynell, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Glashütte Limburg, Doria Leuchten Germany, J.T. Kalmar
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally large and beautiful bubble wall or ceiling lamp from the 1960s. Fantastic design and high quality workmanship. The lamp impresses with its imposing size and the spectac...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Star Amber Bubble Glass Wall Light by Helena Tynell
By Helena Tynell
Located in Rijssen, NL
Amber colored bubble glass wall light designed in the style of Helena Tynell around 1960-1970 in Europe, Germany.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Limburg Attributed Bubble Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Germany's top lighting manufacturer, Glasshutte Limburg and remeniscent of lighting designed by Helena Tynell, these flush mounts feature a unique bubble glass lense c...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Organic Bubble Glass Limburg Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite organic bubble glass flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashütte Limburg.
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Petite Bubble Glass Pattern Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison or...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Flush Mount Light, Textured Amber Tone Bubble Glass, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful German glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 / 110 Volt Edison bulbs, up to 60 watts each. Found at an Estate Sale in Nuremberg, Ger...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
mid century PENDANT LIGHT bubble glass satin glass 1960s
Located in Mannheim, DE
A fantastic vintage 1960s hanging lamp. The shade is made of thick glass, clear glass and satin glass. The base, chain and canopy are made of gray metal. Textil wire. Overall length...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Circular Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashuette Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison bulb...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Circular Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashuette Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison bulb...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Amber Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful vintage flush mount ceiling light by Glashütte Limburg, Germany. This elegant fixture features the highly sought-after bubble pattern glass shade, showcasing a richly textu...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Satin Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful vintage flush mount ceiling light by Glashütte Limburg, Germany. This elegant fixture features the highly sought-after bubble pattern glass shade, showcasing a richly textu...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Monumental Bubble Pattern Glashütte Limburg Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful flush mount ceiling light. Made in Germany by Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture.
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Flush Mount Ceiling Light by RZB Leuchten, 1960s
By RZB Leuchten
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble and star pattern clear glass flush mount made in Germany by RZB Leuchten.
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
5 Light Bubble Glass Helena Tynell Style Chandelier, Austria 1960s
By Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink, Helena Tynell
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning bubble glass Sputnik Orbit 5 Light Chandelier in the design of Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink, found at an Estate Sale in Austria, made circa 1960s - 1970s. The ch...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Chrome
large 1970s glashuette limburg PENDANT LIGHT white opaline bubble glass
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Mannheim, DE
Mid century pendant light manufactured by Glashütte Limburg in the 1970s, model no. 4234. Large trumpet-shaped shade made of white opaline bubble glass. The tubular inner bracket is ...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Large Beautiful Bubble Glass Limburg Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful glass flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison or Medium bulb...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1970 Staff Bubble Pendant Light by Rolf Krüger, Glass & Chrome
By Staff Leuchten, Rolf Krüger
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A large Bubble ceiling light with a diameter of 33 cm. The glass body is in excellent condition, with no signs of wear or damage.
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome
amber Bubble Structure Wall Light Helena Tynell Glashütte Limburg attrib., 1960
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: wall light, ceiling light Producer: Glashütte Limburg, Germany attrib.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Helena Tynell Bubble Pendant Light, Brass & Glass, Mid-Century Modern 1960
By Helena Tynell
Located in Paris, IDF
Helena Tynell bubble pendant light Germany 1960 rare model, 'bubble "glass mounted on brass Normal wear and tear Chips on the underside of one lamp.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Flush Mount Ceiling Light by RZB Leuchten, 1960s
By RZB Leuchten
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Bubble and star pattern clear glass flush mount. Made in Germany by RZB Leuchten. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The Fixture requires one European ...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Amber Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashuette Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison bulb...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Bubble Pattern Limburg Amber Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashuette Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison bulb...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Clear Bubble Glass Pattern Massive Leuchten Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Massive Lighting
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Massive Leuchten. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison ...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Clear Bubble Glass Pattern Massive Leuchten Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
$312Sale Price|40% Off
Clear Bubble Glass Pattern Massive Leuchten Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Massive Lighting
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany, Massive Leuchten. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison or...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Clear Bubble Glass Pattern Massive Leuchten Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Massive Lighting
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany, Massive Leuchten. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison or...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Clear Bubble Glass Pattern Massive Leuchten Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany, attributed to Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one Europea...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
1960's mid century PENDANT LIGHT bubble amber glass and brass
Located in Mannheim, DE
Beautiful 1960s 70s pendant light. The shade is made of slightly amber tinted glass with an etched pattern and a bubble surface at the bottom. Brass holder. White electric wire andwh...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Monumental Tynell Style Bubble Glass Limburg Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubble glass pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires four European E27 Ediso...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Limburg Amber Bubble Glass Pendant Light by Helena Tynell circa 1965
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Late 1960s petite bubble glass ceiling pendant light designed by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
White Iron Bubble Glass Flush Mount Light, Limburg Glashütte, circa 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautifully minimal, geometric and simply shaped wall or ceiling flush mount light fixture by Glashütte Limburg, Germany, circa 1965.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Limburg Bubble Glass Flush Mount Wall Light by Helena Tynell - 2 available
By Helena Tynell, Glashütte Limburg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limburg bubble glass wall lights Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg Germany, circa 1960s Each handblown bubble glass dome is unique in its composition and details Emits a beautiful ...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Large 2 Light Bubble Pattern Flush Mount by RZB Leuchten, 1960s
By RZB Leuchten
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Large bubble pattern amber glass flush mount. Made in Germany by RZB Leuchten. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The Fixture requires two European E27 / 110 Vol...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Vintage Hillebrand Huge Textured Murano Bubble Glass & Brass Flush Mount Light
By Hillebrand
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, large (51cm / 20") vintage Mid-Century Modern textured ice glass flush mount light fixture by German manufacturer Hillebrand, circa 1965. This vintage ceiling light, often ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Brass
Vintage 1960s Bubble Glass Flush Mount Wall / Ceiling Light Lamp by Hustadt
By Helena Tynell
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This Mid-Century bubble glass wall lamp or ceiling light flush mount, designed by Hustadt in the 1960s in Germany, brings a unique and retro aesthetic to any space.
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of Square Bubble Glass Wall Light/Flush Mount by Helena Tynell, 1960
By Helena Tynell
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 clear bubble glass wall light designed in the style of Helena Tynell around 1960-1970 in Europe, Germany.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Amber Bubble Glass Wall Light by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg, 1960
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
NOTICE: the red spot that is visible underneath the glass comes from a red bulb, that was screwed into the socket. Article: wall light Producer: Glashütte Limburg, Germany ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Golden Bubble Wall or Ceiling Light by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg
By Helena Tynell, Glashütte Limburg
Located in Hannover, DE
This very hard to find golden bubble glass wall light dates from the 1960s and is in very good condition. The lamp can be mounted on the wall or on the ceiling. The lamp has an E27 s...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Glass
Square Bubble Glass Tynell Style Flush Mount Light by Glasshütte Limburg, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite glass flush mount. Made in Germany attributed to Glashütte Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 / 110 Volt Ed...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
1 of 3 Limburg Wall Light Sconce, Brass & Bubble Glass, Mid-Century 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
This geometric wall fixtures produce a very pleasant light and are extremely versatile. The geometric wall fixture produces a very pleasant light and is very versatile.
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Xxl Table Light with White Murano Bubble Glass Shade from Cosack, 1970s
By Gebrüder Cosack, Cosack Leuchten
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Table light. Producer: Cosack Ligths, Germany. 1970s. This original table light with a round glass shade and chromed base was made by German premium light producer Cosack in...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Limburg Vintage Mid-Century Amber Bubble Glass Wall Light or Sconce c. 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg, Carl Fagerlund, Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Limburg Glashütte vintage midcentury modern flush mount wall light / lamp / sconce. Featuring amber toned / colored (colored) bubble glass with lozenge and flower petal shapes. Desig...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Heavy Round Clear & Satin Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp, 1960s
By Helena Tynell
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Heavy Round Clear & Satin Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp, 1960s The lamp requires 2x E27 / E26 Edison screw bulb, is wired, functional and runs on both 110 / 230 volts....
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Helena Tynell Style Bubble Glass Flush Mount or Wall Light by Glashütte Limburg
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bubbled glass flush mount from the 1960s. Fantastic glass quality. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The glass has some light amber tone. The fixture ...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
1 of the 2 Amber Bubble Glass Pendant Light Fixtures by Helena Tynell, 1960
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful bubble glass light fixtures designed by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg. Design Classics, the hand blown glass gives a wonderful warm glow. Illuminates beaut...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Glass
Huge Limburg Pendant Light Cylindrical Bubble Glass Shade and Chrome 3 in Stock
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Mannheim, DE
Midcentury pendant light manufactured in the 1970s by Glashuette Limburg. Model 4399. Transparent cylindrical glass shade with bubble structure, chrome details, black electric wire a...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome
White Iron and Bubble Glass Wall Light Sconce by Glashütte Limburg, circa 1960
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautifully minimal, geometric and simply shaped flushmount wall light/sconce by Glashütte Limburg, Germany, circa 1965.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
1 of 2 Huge Cylindrical Pendant Light Staff Rolf Krueger 1967 Bubble Glass
By Rolf Krüger, Staff Leuchten
Located in Mannheim, DE
Very beautiful and elegant pendant light designed by Rolf Krueger in 1967 for Staff Leuchten. Long cylindrical clear Peill glass shade with bubble surface and etched rim. White elect...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Glass
Large Vintage Iron Bubble Glass Flush Mount Wall Light by Limburg, circa 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Glashütte Limburg minimal, geometric and elegant clear glass and polished brass wall or ceiling flush mount lamp / light fixture made in Germany, circa 1965. The clear 'bubble' glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Brass
Large 16" Rupert Nikoll Clear Bubble Glass Flush Mount Light / Lamp c. 1960
By Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning large 41cm (16 inches) diameter clear glass textured bubble light fixture by Austrian lighting firm Rupert Nikoll. Similar, in style, to the early fixtures of fellow Austria...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Round Clear Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp by Helena Tynell, 1960s
By Helena Tynell
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Round Clear Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp by Helena Tynell, 1960s The lamp requires 2x E27 / E26 Edison screw bulb, is wired, functional and runs on both 110 / 230 vol...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
1 of the 4 Square Sun Amber Bubble Glass Wall Light by Helena Tynell
By Helena Tynell
Located in Rijssen, NL
Amber colored bubble glass wall light designed in the style of Helena Tynell around 1960-1970 in Europe, Germany.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
Large Rare 16" Rupert Nikoll Clear Bubble Glass Flush Mount Light / Lamp c. 1955
By Rupert Nikoll, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning large 41cm (16 inches) diameter vintage Mid-Century Modern clear glass textured bubble light fixture by Austrian lighting firm Rupert Nikoll. Similar, in style, to the early...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Limburg Vintage Mid-Century Iron Brass and Bubble Glass Wall Light Sconce c.1965
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Limburg single minimal, geometric and simply shaped flushmount wall light / sconce this midcentury vintage light features a handmade, mouth blown bubble glass which bulges slightly o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
1 of 4 Limburg Large Helena Tynell Amber Bubble Glass Flush Mount Light, 1960s
By Helena Tynell, Glashütte Limburg
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
One of four large Amber / Champagne colored / colored bubble glass sconces designed by Helena Tynell for Glashütte Limburg in the late 1960s-early 1970s. These are the largest versio...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
1. of 2 Heavy Round Satin Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
1. of 2 Heavy Round Satin Glass Bubble Flush Mount Light or Wall Lamp, 1960s The lamp require 1x E27 / E26 Edison screw bulb, is wired, functional and runs on both 110 / 230 volts. ...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Metal
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German Bubble Light For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal German bubble light for your home. A German bubble light — often made from glass, metal and blown glass — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect German bubble light — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A German bubble light, designed in the Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency or Scandinavian Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made German bubble light has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell and Hillebrand are consistently popular.
How Much is a German Bubble Light?
Prices for a German bubble light start at $276 and top out at $7,984 with the average selling for $1,022.
A Close Look at Mid-century-modern Furniture
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Finding the Right Lighting for You
The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.
Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.
Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat.
Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.
As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.
There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation.
With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.
The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
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Desert Modern Designer Arthur Elrod Finally Gets His Day in the Sun
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From the Hamptons to Palm Springs, FormArch’s Homes Embody Both Comfort and Cool
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