Skip to main content

Jt Kalmar Lamp

Teak Tripod Micheline Stehlampe aus Messing von JT Kalmar für Kalmar, 1950er
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Mainz, DE
Tolle Tripod Stehlampe von Kalmar. Der Original Schirmbezug ist vorhanden ist jedoch in der
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Adjustable 'Bienenkorb' Wicker Brass Floor Lamp, Jt Kalmar Style, Austria 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This unusual floor lamp was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1960s. It features a
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass, Iron

JT Kalmar Wall Sconce in Murano Glass, Austria
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in RHEEZERVEEN, Overijssel
Heavy wall light in glass which looks like a piece of art. The lamp is named Pan, obviously
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Sheet Metal

Set of 2 Aluminium Wall Lamps by JT Kalmar, Modell RS 3 WL, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Saarburg, RP
Set of 2 x Aluminium Wall Lamps by J.T. Kalmar- 1970s JT Kalmar wall lamps are a remarkable work
Category

Vintage 1970s European Space Age Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum

1 of 4 Large Austrian Textured Glass Wall Lights or Sconces by JT Kalmar c. 1955
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
, lamps or sconces by J.T. Kalmar circa 1955. Featuring wonderful large folded sheets of textured glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Amazing Atomic Ceiling Lamp by J.T. Kalmar, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Space age sputnik / atomic chandelier designed by JT Kalmar. Beautiful timeless design with
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Appliques Wall Lamps in Brass Design J. T. Kalmar "Ice Glass", 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in taranto, IT
" processing based on a design by jt kalmar each measures 26 cm high, 15.5 cm wide and 10 cm protruding from
Category

Vintage 1970s Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Textured Glass and Brass Pendant, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
Kalmar. It features a brass body and a textured glass lamp shade. The brass pieces have been
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Austrian Vintage Blown Glass Ceiling Light Pendant or Flush Mount, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting, Mazzega
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful midcentury handblown textured Murano glass pendant or flush mount by JT Kalmar for
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

People Also Browsed

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Category

2010s American Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstaette Fabric Department Pendant, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A simple but sensational fixture, designed by Josef Hoffmann, for the fabric department of the Wiener Werkstaette on Kaerntnerstrasse in Vienna. Style and color of the fabric custom-...
Category

2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Silk

JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

"Solana" Wall Sconces
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in Westport, CT
The "Solana" wall mount sconce or reading light is strongly influenced by Scandinavian, Danish, French, and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. The walnut back plate (available in natural...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Enamel, Brass

"Solana" Wall Sconces
"Solana" Wall Sconces
H 13 in W 5 in D 6 in
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconce. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Metal

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
By Juliana Lima Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought with three feet. The upholstered se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile, Wood

Murano Glass Chandelier Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1960
By Carlo Nason
Located in Palermo, PA
Stunning 1970s chandelier crafted by Carlo Nason in Murano, Italy, circa 1960. This exquisite piece features five distinct bubble-shaped Murano glasses in both white and transparent ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Mae Solid Wood Nightstand and End Table by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Mae nightstand by Crump and Kwash Solid wood case / hand turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass or bronzed pulls / dovetailed solid wood drawer boxes / premium, full e...
Category

2010s North American Modern Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage Murano Wall Sconce, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Budapest, HU
1970s pair of vintage Italian Murano wall lights - Mazzega - trasparent lattimo glass Pair of Italian vintage Murano wall lights made by 10 glass leaves for each applique in a chrom...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Murano Wall Sconce, 1970s
Pair of Vintage Murano Wall Sconce, 1970s
H 13.78 in W 16.93 in D 8.27 in
Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces with Central Brass Plate
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall sconces made of a piece of curved and wavy Murano glass with a central brass plate. Two lights per sconce. Price per sconce
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its base. Se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Textile, Wood

21st Century Contemporary Minimal White Velvet Bench With Black Lacquered Base
Located in Porto, PT
Fifih Bench is a luxury bench upholstered in velvet and wood base. A contemporary design bench is perfect for minimalist and modern interior architecture projects. Materials: Uphols...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood

Recent Sales

Smoked Murano Glass Pendant Lamp by Kalmar Franken, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Stuttgart, DE
bulb. This Kalmar smoked glass pendant lamp was also made as a table lamp and a wall lamp. Made with
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Glass and Brass Pendant Lamp Chandelier by Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
entrepreneur Julius Theodor (JT) Kalmar was born in Vienna in 1884. The son of Julius August Kalmar - founder
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Glass and Brass Viennese Pendant Light Chandelier by Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
LEDs. The Austrian designer and entrepreneur Julius Theodor (JT) Kalmar was born in Vienna in 1884
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Design Brass and Glass Light Tulipan by Kalmar from Vienna
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Julius Theodor (JT) Kalmar was born in Vienna in 1884. The son of Julius August Kalmar - founder of the
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Design Glass and Brass Light Chandelier Tulipan by J.T. Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Theodor (JT) Kalmar was born in Vienna in 1884. The son of Julius August Kalmar - founder of the company
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Glass

'Pelikan' Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in London, GB
A rare 'Pelikan' floor lamp by JT Kalmar. Austrian, circa 1950s. Adjustable swing arm which
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal

'Pelikan' Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
'Pelikan' Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
H 72.05 in W 20.87 in D 9.26 in
JT Kalmar Floor Lamp, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Most rare and unique floor lamp by JK Kalmar with five adjustable steps for the second shade. Ivory
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Floor Lamps

JT Kalmar Floor Lamp, 1950s
JT Kalmar Floor Lamp, 1950s
H 71.5 in W 9.5 in D 25 in
Large Brass Floor Lamp Model Micheline by JT Kalmar for Kalmar, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Antwerp, BE
print of a floral shade in fabric designed by the Kalmar manufacturer in Austria. The lamp is in
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Rattan and Birch Table Lamp, JT Kalmar 'attr.' 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
' lights by JT Kalmar. Good original condition with one E14 socket and rewired for use in US. Requires
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Rattan, Birch

2 Wall Ys Glass Lamps from JT Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Lamps with 2 Light Points
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Pair of two beautiful and elegant modern glass wall lamps, manufactured by JT Kalmar Austria in
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

Jt Kalmar Pair of Wall Lighting Glass Ice Frost with Chrome, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional pair of JT Kalmar wall lighting with large leaves ice frost glass. The Design and the
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Chrome

Jt Kalmar Pair of Wall Lighting Glass Ice Frost with Chrome, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional pair of JT Kalmar wall lighting with large leaves ice frost glass. The Design and the
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Chrome

Jt Kalmar Pair of Wall Lighting Glass Ice Frost with Chrome, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional pair of JT Kalmar wall lighting with large leaves ice frost glass. The Design and the
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Chrome

1950s European Three-Arm Table Lamp with Tripod Feet
Located in Hanover, MA
black gimp lace. Make unknown. Possibly JT Kalmar.
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Pair of Midcentury Glass Wall Lamps by Kalmar, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Pair of midcentury ice glass wall lamps by JT Kalmar. The lamps emit a lovely diffuse light
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

Pair of Midcentury Glass Wall Lamps by Kalmar, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Pair of midcentury brass frosted glass wall lamps by JT kalmar. The glasses have a sort of
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Glass Wall Lamps by Kalmar, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Pair of midcentury brass and hexagonal frosted glass wall lamps by JT kalmar. The lamps emit a
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Smoked Glass Lamp by J.T. Kalmar for Franken KG
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century smoked glass pendant light by JT Kalmar for Franken KG. This lamp was inspired by
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome

Brass Table Lamp by JT Kalmar, Austria, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This mid-century table lamp was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1950s by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brass Table Lamp by JT Kalmar, Austria, 1950s
Brass Table Lamp by JT Kalmar, Austria, 1950s
H 10.63 in W 8.86 in D 8.86 in
JT Kalmar Adjustable Floor Lamp in Brass, Austria, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Den Haag, NL
JT Kalmar floor lamp, Austria, 1950s. Adjustable in five positions.
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Adjustable 'Bienenkorb' Wicker Brass Floor Lamp, Jt Kalmar 'Attr.'
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This unusual floor lamp was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1960s. It features a
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Austrian Table Lamp in the Manner of Jt Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
Mid-Century brass and red lacquered table lamp, made in Austria in the 1950s in the manner of JT
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Metal

Mid-Century Austrian Table Lamp in the Manner of Jt Kalmar
Mid-Century Austrian Table Lamp in the Manner of Jt Kalmar
Free Shipping
H 8.25 in W 9.25 in D 7.25 in
Austrian Midcentury Rattan, Teak and Brass Table Lamp, JT Kalmar 'attr.' 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This unusual rattan or wicker table lamp was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1950s. It
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Jt Kalmar Wall Lighting Glass Ice Frost, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional JT Kalmar wall lighting with large leaves ice frost glass. The Design and the quality
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

JT Kalmar Lighting Pendant Globe Ice Frost Glass, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional Jt Kalmar pendant globe with deep glass with chrome structure. The Design and the
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Glass

Midcentury 1950s Brass Chandelier by JT Kalmar Attributed, Austria
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
. Kalmar. The chandelier features a beautiful filigree design with timeless elegance and six original
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Articulating Brass & Fabric Wall Light JT Kalmar 'attr.', 1960s, Set of 2
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
. It features a brass back plate and an articulating lamp arm. The handmade lamp shade is off-white
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Wall Sconces Faceted Crystal & Brass JT Kalmar Austria 1960s
By Kinkeldey
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
and brass frame. Made by J.T. Kalmar, Austria in the 1960s. Measurements: each W 10.6 x H 4.3 x D 3.5
Category

Vintage 1960s German Hollywood Regency Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Gold Plate

Elegant Pair of Kalmar 'Tulipan' Wall Sconces
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Beautiful pair of Tulipan wall sconces by JT Kalmar, Vienna, 1960s. Very elegant design. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Kalmar Flush Mount Granada Brass & Ice Glass, Austria, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant flush mount chandelier by JT Kalmar, model: Granada. Hanging glass resembles icicles
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

1960s German J.T. Kalmar for Franken KG Smoked & Clear Murano Glass Pendant
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in London, GB
flex is yellow in colour due to its age. The original manufacturer's label showing JT Kalmar for
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1950s Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
A 1950's Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Steel

A 1950's Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
A 1950's Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal

A 1950's Austrian Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
A 1950's Austrian Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass, Metal

A Rare 1950's Austrian Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
A Rare 1950's Austrian Articulated Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal

An Austrian Modernist Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
An Austrian Modernist Floor Lamp by JT Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

1950's Boom Arm Floor Lamp Produced by J.T. Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
Boom arm floor lamp produced by JT Kalmar, Austria .Lamp has 3 fixtures that each take one bulb
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Floor Lamps

JT Kalmar-a pair of "Tulipan" crystal glass hanging chandeliers
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, Vienna
a pair of hanginglamps, model "Tilipan" manufacter J.T.Kalmar Vienna 1960. enamalled ceiling
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Chandeliers and Pendants

1950s Boom-Arm Floor Lamp Produced by J.T. Kalmar
Located in New York, NY
Boom arm floor lamp produced by JT Kalmar, Austria .Lamp has 3 fixtures that each take one bulb
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Floor Lamps

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Jt Kalmar Lamp", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Jt Kalmar Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the jt kalmar lamp you’re looking for. Each jt kalmar lamp for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and glass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect jt kalmar lamp — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A jt kalmar lamp, designed in the mid-century modern or Scandinavian Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made jt kalmar lamp has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by J.T. Kalmar and Kalmar Lighting are consistently popular.

How Much is a Jt Kalmar Lamp?

A jt kalmar lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,023, while the lowest priced sells for $654 and the highest can go for as much as $3,306.

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

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.

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.