Peill Putzler Flush

Transforming light manufacturing into an aesthetic art form, Peill & Putzler is synonymous with futuristic globular glassworks. It was a massive operation at the peak of its production, creating mid-century modern designs and employing up to 1,500 workers. Its table lamps, wall lights and chandeliers and pendants are anything but mundane and are admired today for their innovative artistry.

The melding of two great, independent glassworks companies in 1947 to form Peill & Putzler occurred at the beginning of a postwar design surge. Peill und Sohn, founded in 1903, was led by Leopold Peill, a philanthropist and glassmaker. Originally from Pieńsk in today’s Poland, the Putzler brothers were well-established glass producers known for kerosene street lighting. The synthesis of the two companies established the renowned glassworks and a lighting company. The site of its glassworks factory in Düren, Germany, became the home of this integrated partnership.

In 1953, the German Design Council was formed, with Peill & Putzler as a founding member. The council is essential today, bringing social awareness, support and knowledge transfer to design companies and providing beneficial tools for their success. 

Heading the company at this time were Günther Peill and Hans Ahrenkiel. The pair were experimental with the designs the company produced. Advancing technologies supported industrial production, allowing the company to manufacture pieces that were as much art as functional objects.

Designers of note who worked with Peill & Putzler and contributed to its acclaim included Aloys Ferdinand Gangkofner, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Helmut Demary, William Brown, Horst Tüselmann and Wilhelm Braun-Feldweg. Collaboratively, they produced stunning flush mount lighting, candle holders and vases and vessels.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Peill & Putzler lighting, decorative objects, glass and more.

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.