Lightolier Furniture
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
Color: Brown
Creator: Lightolier
Mid-Century Pendant Light by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful pendant light by Lightolier made of brass and features a thick lens diffuser. This mid-century pendant light is in great over...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Chandelier with Three Striped Milk Glass Shades, 1950s
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Chandelier with three hanging pin-striped milk glass shades with walnut armature and brass accents by Lightolier, American, 1950s. (Lightolier label on canopy). The drop can be modif...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Adjustable Pendant
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fine brass adjustable ceiling fixture having a perforated dome shade and ring handle.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Gerald Thurston Triennale Floor Lamp for Lightolier, USA
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in London, GB
Gerald Thurston Triennale floor lamp for Lightolier. Original dusky pink enameled frame and base with brass detailing.
In good vintage condition showing expected signs of wear comme...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Minimalist 3 Tiered Brass Plated Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of minimalist 3 tiered brass plated sconces by Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
1970s Lightolier 16-Arm Chrome Sputnik Style Chandelier with Glass Shade , Usa
By Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
16 mouth blowed glass shade sitting on a deep chrome finish structure from Lightolier.
Each shade measure 5 in. diameter.
Solid, well made construction.
Use 16 candelabra...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair Vintage Restored Regal Sconces with Consolidated Shades priced per pair
By Lightolier, Consolidated Glass
Located in Prescott, US
4 pair available priced per pair. VintageLights
From the late 20s through early 30s when Art Deco was all the rage. The cast iron back signed Lightolier and the original glass shade...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Iron
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Double Desk Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic, Mid-Century Modern, double-headed desk lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features painted metal shades with perforated diffusers and brass accents on a faux wood metal ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
1930s Mid-Century Style Ceiling Fixture. 2+ available
By Lightolier
Located in Prescott, US
Priced each with more than one available.
Sourced from the 1930s is this chrome and custard glass Mid-Century style 5 light vintage fixture. Original burgundy color repainted on arms...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Iron
Lightolier Pendant Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic atomic stile, midcentury pendant light by Lightolier. Ceiling flush mount with glass diffuser and perforated brass shade. Perfect for a low ceiling or a small space. Measur...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Floor Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beauty in the rough.
This brass and hard wood floor lamp is in need of a little TLC and then it will shine again!
Brass is in great condition but may want a little polish. Hardwo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gaetano Sciolari Designed Chandelier for Lightolier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great sculptural chandelier with 36 sockets, both up and down for tremendous light. Made of tubular chrome with black trimming. Designed by the top mid-century chandelier designer, f...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Cubic Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New Haven, CT
This 12 Light Cubic chandelier by Lightolier was made in Italy and was designed by Gaetano Sciolari.
The Crome cubes extend into ice cubes made of L...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Nickel
Mid Century Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Mid century Hourglass lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier with Lucite base, ceramic body and brass fittings. New 3 way brass socket and w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Adjustable Brass Up Light Sconce, Italy
By Lightolier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A gorgeous brass Italian wall lamp from the 1970s-1980s, oval form. Adjustable hinge allows the sconce to be tilted for perfect illumination.
Lit by a halogen bulb.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier 1970's Tinted Lucite and Chrome Cube Form Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1970’s glam style, this chic fixture features four tinted translucent panels, which shield the interior ( 8 ) bulbs. The metal elements are bri...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1970s Lightolier Six-Arm Chrome Sputnik Chandelier with Glass Shade, USA
By Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Six mouth blowed glass shade sitting on a deep chrome finish structure from Lightolier.
Each shade measure 5 in. diameter.
Solid, well made construction.
Use six candelab...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1950s Gerald Thurston Table Lamp, Lightolier, USA
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Elegant table lamp made of walnut, brass with plastic shade.
By Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.
Marked.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Adjustable Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Classic Thurston design Mid Century saucer top reading lamp manufactured by Lightolier. The lamp can be raised to 52 in, or lowered to 42 in H, the disk shade is 12 in. in diameter, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Lightolier Pendant Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier brass and glass pendant light. Brass and steel mesh cone supporting a domed textured glass shade with overlaid faux gilding to the underside. Lightolie...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Multi-Light Frosted Glass Pendant Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage hanging ceiling mount pendant light chandelier circa 1960's labeled Lightolier. This unique fixture features 5 sculptural white frosted...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Expertly Restored - Gerald Thurston Brass Tripod Table Lamp with Walnut Accent
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions:
26in H x 10in W x 10in D
Lamp shade: 10in H x 15in W.
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing hi...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Concentric Louvered Brass Pendant Light / Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Fulton, CA
A polished brass pendant chandelier by Lightolier. Designed with 5 concentric, brushed brass louvers over a polished brass metal domed shade. Concentric bands allow filtered upward l...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gerald Thurston Brass Crossed Sword Dual Shade Partners Desk Lamp, 1950's
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier crossed swords desk lamp with brass rimmed Raffia Barrel Shades. Featuring dual arms in Brass, ball sockets, original adjusting dual Brass rimmed inte...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Chandelier with Eight Arms and 16 Glass Bulbs
By Lightolier
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful two-tier chandelier by Lightolier. Chandelier features 8 arms with 16 glass covered candelabra. Iron frame is black and the glass shades are black tinted glass. The current...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Floor Lamp
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Hanover, MA
Mid-1950's three light floor lamp produced by Lightolier and designed by Gerald Thurston. The style of the pierced polished brass tapered bowls appears to have been influenced by the...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Copper, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Glass Pinwheel Three Bulb Vanity Light by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This whimsical and refined Mid-Century Modern three bulb vanity light was realized in the United States by the esteemed maker Lightolier, circa 1970. It features a volumetric polishe...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Lightolier Articulating Floor Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier articulating floor lamp
Signed on underside
Base is 13" diameter.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Wood
Walnut and Chrome Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Denton, TX
Walnut and chrome table lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Set of Four Sexy 1970's Sconces Design by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sexy set of four 1970's sconces design by Lightolier, we could sell by the pair.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Wall Light Sconce Gerald Thurston Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Large wall light sconce Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Handcrafted glass with white and gold colored glass overlay creating a bursting display...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century 3 Light Floor Lamp by Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Rare mid century floor lamp having three adjustable cone form shades attached to a spiral twist form vertical post. Each shade will pivot and tilt, to direct the light, each shade me...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Midcentury Brass Pendant Light Gerald Thurston Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury brass and glass pendant light by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Gerald Thurston pendant light. Embellished glass diffuser having g...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Gaetano Sciolari Glass Rod Waterfall Flush Mounts for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1,800....Fine 1970s Gaetano Sciolari flush mount ceiling lights in brass with glass rods in a waterfall trifoil rectangular form su...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Lightolier Turned Concave Wood Staff Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier turned concave wood staff floor lamp by Gerald Thurston
Signed on underside.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Wood
Lightolier, Floor Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gerald Thurston floor lamp by Lightolier. Features a brass and walnut base and a perforated brass shade. Measures: 17" diameter x 64.5" height.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
One Sciolari Glass Rod and Solid Brass Flush Mount, Italia, 1970s
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
1 flush mount with solid brass glass rod support and brass plated canopy.
Solid, sturdy construction.
Made with prime quality material and excellent craftmanship by Lightolier....
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Lightolier Tubular Pendant Light
By Lightolier
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Lightolier tubular louvered pendant light is a contemporary and versatile lighting fixture that combines sleek design with effective illumination. Its tubular shape and louvered ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Lightolier Desk Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adjustable white metal shade and white metal base with brass arm, hi-lo dimmer switch on top of the shade, medium base socket.
Category
1970s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tall Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Radiating Brass & Walnut Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier 3' H flared and incised brass and walnut table lamp, circa 1960. Featuring a radiating vertically lined antique bronzed finish top and partial stem wit...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
1970s American Craftsman Style Walnut Floor Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Four sided floor lamp evoking a Japanese Shoji screen. The frame of solid walnut set on an ebonized recessed plinth base with the frame having a...
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Pair of Gerald Thurston Lightolier Fixtures
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Stylish pair of banded glass chandeliers designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Both are in fine, original, working condition. Both show minor cosmetic wear, normal and consiste...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Glass
Lightolier Brass Dual Headed Floor Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Lightolier brass dual headed floor lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Modernist Wall Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An unusual and expressive wall lamp having a ribbed milk glass diffuser with thin patinated steel sides suspended from a curved plane of birch.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lightolier Chandelier Ceiling Fixture Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier fixture with large crystal beads attributed to Gerald Thurston. A quality vintage fixture. Reminiscent of Italian fixtures by Arr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Lightolier Ten Light Halogen Flush Mount Chandelier , 1980s, USA
By Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Interactive flush mount chandelier by Lightolier. Get creative by selecting which length of rods goes where and at what height to put the thick opale Murano glass shade.
The deep ...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Modernist Chrome and Glass Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Interesting bent chrome elements form the "woven" surface. This structure lets light out from the top, sides and bottom. The interior, white enamel surface, surround the original fro...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Minimalist 3 tiered Brass Plated Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of minimalist 3 tiered brass plated sconces by Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hanging Pendant Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable patinated brass pendant having as shapely perforated shade and frosted glass diffuser with a brass ring pull. Recoiled cable is concealed in the canopy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Three-Light Tubular Glass Cascading Form Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Interesting glass panel cylindrical form three light chandelier. probably Lightolier, after Ponti. Two cylinder shades have white, orange, and dark grey panels, one has yellow, white...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Paavo Tynell Ballerina chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paavo Tynell Ballerina chandelier made by Lightolier in 1960s.
Has six branches with lights and one light in the middle inside the perforated meta...
Category
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
2 Pairs of Lightolier Sconces
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
(4) Classical American small globe sconces from the 1950s by Lightolier. These sconces are in an aged solid brass finish and construction. Partially...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Cascade Rod Modern Rectangular Chandelier, 1970s
By Lightolier
Located in Miami, FL
A large rectangular chandelier. The base from where the acrylic rods cascade from is black enamel on metal.
Category
1970s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Metalwork Radial Webs Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A brass chandelier with 5 arms of radial, webbed, arrows arcing to the center stem. Made by Lightolier in the early 20th century; with a complex, brass-bronze patina and decorative t...
Category
Early 20th Century American Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Lightolier furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Lightolier furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Lightolier furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Lightolier were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Gordon & Jane Martz, Laurel Lamp Company, and Marshall Studios. Prices for Lightolier furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $175 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,000.
Creators Similar to Lightolier
Questions About Lightolier Furniture
- What is a Lightolier lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lightolier was founded in 1904 by Bernhard Blitzer and the name is a combination of the words “light” and “chandelier.” Lightolier specializes in elaborate and decorative chandeliers, but they also produce a style of lamps that combine functionality with a lively aesthetic. Browse a collection of Lightolier lamps on 1stDibs.
- Is Lightolier still in business?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Lightolier is still in business. Founded in 1904 and made popular by its electric lighting designs, Lightolier, a contraction of the words light and chandelier, can still be found in stores today. You can also shop Lightolier goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.