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Huge Kalmar Chandelier 'Soria', Ice Glass, Germany, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A Stunning large Chandelier with brilliant ice glasses made by Kalmar (Series: Soria), Germany
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal

Small J.T. Kalmar 'Ice Glass' Chandelier, 1960s with One Lamp Socket
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small J.T. Kalmar 'Ice Glass' chandelier, 1960s with one lamp socket This chandelier from the
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, 1970, 1 of 2
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two beautiful ice glass light fixtures by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, Gilt Brass Glass, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s and early 1970s). The model
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

One of Two Kalmar Ice Glass Chandeliers Light Fixtures, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two beautiful ice glass light fixtures by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Metal

One of Two Large Kalmar Chandeliers, Ice Glass and Nickel, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
are made of nickel plated brass (finish is similar to chrome). Each chandelier takes 24 small screw
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Set of Three Midcentury Kalmar Ice Crystal Glass Pendant Lights or Chandeliers
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
/ lamps or chandeliers by Kalmar, circa 1974. Featuring twelve hanging glass elements (six large & six
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Large Kalmar Chandelier, Ice Glass and Nickel, Austria, 1970s, One of Two
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two extra large light fixtures model 'PUCK' no. 3864 by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Nickel, Metal

One of Two Huge Kalmar Chandeliers, Ice Glass and Nickel, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
similar to chrome). Each chandelier takes 24 small screw base bulbs and one medium screw base bulb
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Nickel

1 of 2 Large Rare Murano Ice Glass Chandelier by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Stunning Murano glass chandelier by Kalmar, 1960s Three tiers structure gathering many structured
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Murano Glass

Palazzo Ice Glass Chandelier by J.T. Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar, Palwa, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in München, DE
Wonderful ice glass chandelier from the 1960s. The beautifully formed Murano glass elements create
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier 'Soria' by Kalmar, Ice Glass Nickel, 1970, 1 of 3
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
). Each chandelier has 24 sockets for small Edison screw base bulbs or LEDs (E14 candelabra with max. 40W
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Nickel

J.T. Kalmar 18" Cubist Flush Mount Chandelier Brass & Ice Glass, Austria 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant flush mount ceiling light with 13 ice glass cubes on a golden brass frame. Manufactured by
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Large Palazzo Ice Glass Chandelier by J.T. Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar, Palwa, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in München, DE
Wonderful and large ice glass chandelier from the 1960s. The 42 beautifully shaped Murano glass
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Kalmar Slumped Ice Glass and Brass Pendant Light
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful, Mid-Century, small, Kalmar manufactured brass chandelier outfitted with 10 layered
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Large Murano Smoked Glass Chandelier by Kalmar, Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Stunning Murano glass chandelier by Kalmar, 1970s Smoked swirl ice glass, clear twisted crystal
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Murano Glass

Kalmar Mid-Century Modern Crystal Glass & Gilt Brass Chandelier Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern, vintage, Austrian made 'Palazzo' ice crystal glass chandelier by Kalmar, circa
Category

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

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Pendant Light Chandelier Kalmar Corina Gilt Brass Glass, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A very exclusive Hollywood regency ice glass chandelier or pendant light model 'Corina' no. 3970 by
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Gold Plate

1960 Austria Kalmar 'Catena' Flush Mount Chandelier Murano Glass & Brass
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant flush mount chandelier model Catena made by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna. J.T. Kalmar was a student
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Le Grande XL Midcentury Chandelier In Brass & Structured Ice Glass, Austria 1950
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Almelo, NL
with small patina on brass and metal parts. The chandelier can be disassembled and the glasses
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of 7 Six-Light Fixtures Kalmar Chandeliers Citrus Swirl Smoked Glass, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
. The light fixtures from Kalmar are executed to a very high standard. Measures of the large chandelier
Category

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

Materials

Brass

One of Four Huge Kalmar 'Granada' Chandeliers Flush Mount Light Brass Glass 1970
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of four square and very large 'Granada' light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Large Brutalist Ice Glass Chandelier
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Palwa, Gaetano Sciolari, J.T. Kalmar, Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in München, DE
Impressively large and very heavy ice glass chandelier from the 1960s. The beautifully formed
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

1970s German J. T. Kalmar Kalmar Franken Frosted Glass & Chrome Pendant Light
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
. Kalmar for Kalmar Franken KG. The light has a textured, frosted, iced-glass circular shade, with a
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1 (of 2) Kalmar Bronze Drum Chandelier Murano Glass Pendant Light, Gio Ponti Era
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant gold-plated drum chandelier with iced glass panels on a gilt-bronze frame. Heavy duty
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Gold Plate

Murano Smoked Glass Pendant Light by Kalmar, Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Murano glass chandelier by Kalmar, 1970s. Smoked swirl ice glass, clear twisted crystal glass
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Smoked Glass Pendant Light by Kalmar, Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Murano glass chandelier by Kalmar, 1970s. Smoked swirl ice glass, clear twisted crystal glass
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Murano Glass

Midcentury Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier and 2 Wall Mount Lamps, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Verviers, BE
full working order. Kalmar with thick transparent ice glass, from the 1960s. An amazing design like
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Crystal, Chrome

1960 Austria Kalmar 'Granada' Flush Mount Chandelier Iced Glass & Brass
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant flush mount chandelier with Murano glass on a brass frame. Designed by J.T. Kalmar, model
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

1960s Large Kalmar Ice Glass Sconce, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
Wonderful and large ice glass sconce by Kalmar. It is made of five massive ice glass blocks and it
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1960s Large Kalmar Ice Glass Sconce, 1960s
1960s Large Kalmar Ice Glass Sconce, 1960s
H 13.39 in W 15.75 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Small Kalmar Chandeliers Citrus Swirl Smoked Glass, Austria, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
A pair of gorgeous murano glass pendant lights by Kalmar, 1960s. High quality smoked swirl ice
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Other Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Ice glass "Herrenberg" wall lamp by Kalmar, Austria 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in ECHT, NL
possibilities in large or small areas. As a result, the demand for Kalmar installations grew steadily. The
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Brutalist Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Kalmar Large "Granada" Ice Crystal Glass & Brass Flushmount Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
chandelier by Kalmar, circa 1970. Featuring eight hanging glass elements resembling ice crystals suspended
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

J.T. Kalmar Drum Flushmount Gold-Plated and Frosted Ice Glass, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
Gold-plated bronze drum chandelier with 16 patterned glass panels by Kalmar. Best of design from
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

One of Two J.T. Kalmar Drum Flush mount Gold-Plated and Ice Glass, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
Gold-plated bronze drum chandelier with 16 patterned glass panels by Kalmar. Best of design from
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Large 20" Flush Mount Chandelier Iced Murano Glass by Doria, Germany 1960
By Doria Leuchten Germany, J.T. Kalmar, Kaiser
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Gorgeous ice glass chandelier on a metal frame with six small Edison bulbs. Manufactured by Doria
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Chrome

1 of the 2 Kalmar Glass Brass Flush Mount "Granada", Austria, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 stunning flush mounts by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in 1960s. The flush mount is
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

1 of the 2 Large Kalmar Glass Brass Flush Mounts "Granada", Austria, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
glasses are made of so called ice glass, there are many small bubbles within the glasses and therefore the
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Pair of Kalmar Ice Glass Chandeliers Pendant Lights, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of beautiful ice glass light fixtures by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Metal

1960 Austria Kalmar Chandelier Iced Murano Glass & Nickel
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant chandelier with two tiers of iced Murano glass elements on a nickel stem and hardware
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Huge Kalmar 'Granada' Chandelier Flush Mount Light Brass Glass 1970, One of Four
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of four square and extra large 'Granada' (engl. 'Grenada') light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

One of Two Huge Kalmar 'Granada' Chandeliers Flush Mount Lights Brass Glass 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two square and very large 'Granada' light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Kalmar Large "Palazzo" Ice Crystal Glass & Gilt Brass Chandelier Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Austrian made 'Palazzo' ice crystal glass chandelier by Kalmar, circa 1970. Featuring twenty-six
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Gold Plate

Kalmar Palazzo Flush Light, Brutalist "Ice Effect" Glass and Gilt Brass
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
Kalmar Palazzo flush light, Brutalist "ice effect" glass and gilt brass, Austrian, circa 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Brutalist Flush Mount

Materials

Brass, Gold Plate

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
further Kalmar ice glass chandeliers, flush mount lights, and wall sconces available (see last picture).
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
H 11.03 in Dm 16.54 in
1960s Small Kalmar Two-Tier Iced Glass Chandelier
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
A small two-tier, iced glass, chandelier which was manufactured by Kalmar Lighting in Austria in
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1960s Austrian Kalmar Lighting Two-Tier Iced Glass Chandelier. JT Kalmar design
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
A striking and glamorous, two-tiered, iced glass, chandelier which was manufactured by Kalmar
Category

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

Materials

Chrome, Nickel

1960s Austrian Kalmar Two-Tier Iced Glass Chandelier, Designed by J.T Kalmar
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
A striking, two-tier, iced glass, chandelier which was manufactured by Kalmar Lighting in Austria
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1960s J.T. Kalmar for Kalmar Lighting Two-Tiered Block Iced Glass Chandelier
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
1960s, two-tiered, square, chandelier, manufactured by Kalmar Franken KG and designed by J.T
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

1950s Midcentury Two-Tiered Austrian Kalmar Textured Iced-Glass Chandelier
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
A simple, under-stated, yet elegant two-tiered 1950s Austrian Kalmar chrome-plated chandelier
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome

Kalmar Style Melting Ice Glass Ballroom Chandelier Ceiling Lamp, circa 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Berlin, DE
A large and wonderful multi-tiered chandelier in the style of Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Ice Glass Pendant Lights by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in London, GB
Pair of ice glass pendant lights by Kalmar, 1960s. A pair of pendant lights each featuring four
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century pair of ice glass and chrome pendants by Kalmar. Austria 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Catania, CT
this set of two chromed and murano glass chandeliers, produced in Austria by Kalmar. Full working with
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome

Six XL Large Midcentury Chandeliers in Brass and Structured Ice Glass, Austria
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Almelo, NL
31" inch large chandeliers, in glass and brass, Europe, 1960s. Wonderful and very heavy quality
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Round Light Fixture by J.T. Kalmar, 1970
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
A pedant light by Kalmar manufactured in Austria in midcentury, circa 1970 (1960s-1970s). The
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Kalmar Glass Brass Flush Mount "Granada", Austria, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
made of so called ice glass, there are many small bubbles within the glasses and therefore the glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Other Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
are matching ice glass lights and several other Kalmar chandeliers, pendant lights, sconces, table and
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
H 12.21 in Dm 13.78 in
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful ice glass chandelier, pendant, light by Kalmar, manufactured in Mid-Century, circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Chrome, Nickel

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, 1970
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, 1970
H 11.03 in Dm 14.97 in
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
matching Kalmar Palazzo chandeliers, pendant lights, flush mounts and sconces or lights fixtures from J.T
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier
H 14.18 in Dm 19.69 in
Kalmar Ice Glass Chandelier, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful ice glass light fixtures by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass, Nickel

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Small Kalmar Ice Chandelier For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the small kalmar ice chandelier you’re looking for. Frequently made of metal, glass and brass, every small kalmar ice chandelier was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect small kalmar ice chandelier — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A small kalmar ice chandelier is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency styles are sought with frequency. J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting and Doria Leuchten Germany each produced at least one beautiful small kalmar ice chandelier that is worth considering.

How Much is a Small Kalmar Ice Chandelier?

A small kalmar ice chandelier can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,000, while the lowest priced sells for $571 and the highest can go for as much as $59,700.

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.