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.
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Item Ships From: USA
Creator: Lightolier
Lightolier Sixteen-Arm, Black Lacquer Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant black lacquer sixteen-light chandelier by Lightolier. The design is often attributed to Tommi Parzinger. The chandelier is comprised of eight spokes radiating out from the ce...
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Brass Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Mid-Century Modern eight-arm chandelier, made in Germany. Featuring eight arms with conical shades, emanating from a disk, Circa 1960.
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Two-Tiered Glass Rod and Brass Chandelier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chicago, IL
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier glass rod and brass two-tiered waterfall flush mount chandelier. Chrome-plated hexagonal ceiling mount with six brass plated reverse trefoil fitters. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Brass
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Triple Gourd-Form Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning Lightolier table lamp in white satin glazed ceramic stacked spherical bodies. Each segment separated by a brass ring spacer. Base is a brass plate. The three socket lighting...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Lightolier Staircase Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Black metal with white candles chandelier features 16 adjustable lights. Labelled "Lightolier" With cord the fixture can hang as long as 40" fr...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gaetano Sciolari "Cage" Pendant Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Highland, IN
A wonderful example of Sciolari's playful experiments in lighting design, the wire cage lamp came in a taller oval form and this round coiled shape that i...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Faceted Chrome Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist chrome hanging fixture by Lightolier (marked). This chandelier has eight triangular panels each 8" W at base. The fixture shows some cosmetic wear to the finish, specifical...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of American Art Moderne Parzinger Silver Plate Urn Table Lamps
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Art Moderne silver-plate urn form table lamps with handles and a cover with a finial on a tapered square base (LIGHTOLIER-desi...
Category
20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
1960s Swivel Table Lamps by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
1960s modern swivel spot table lamps by Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Elusive Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp, Italian Pottery
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Buffalo, NY
Elusive Lightolier ceramic and brass table lamp, Italian pottery attributed to Gerald Thurston, stunning modernist decorative Italian pottery vessel atop atomic formed brass base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Nickel Staircase Light Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nickel fixture with graduated candle forms each holding a bulb. 5 foot tall from base to the canopy.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Lightolier Pendant Lamp Hanging Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An example of Lightolier combining Italian lighting and design with
American components.
Frosted glass and lacquered metal.
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Glass
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
Lightolier 1960s Black Metal and Wood Desk or Table Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black metal desk or table lamp by Lightolier from the 1960s with wood and brass details.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Thurston for Lightolier Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Mid-Century Modern table lamp. Brass colored metal with faux wood insert trim, on teardrop form base. Wo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Chic Pendant Light in Brass, 1950s
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
1 pendant light in brass with pin holes at bottom by Lightolier, American, 1950s. The brass has been lacquered so it will not tarnish.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier 1970s White Metal and Glass Hanging Lamp on Track
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lightolier 1970s white metal and glass hanging lamp on track. Can be moved along the track. Original identification sticker attached.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Heathered Taupe and Striped Pottery Table Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Modernist urn form table lamp with a heathered glaze pottery body, footed wood base and brass spacer. Brass stem with a three socket up light mechanism that was a Lightolier hallmark...
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Lightolier Ceiling Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three white globe Lightolier ceiling fixture. Two ceiling fixtures available. Three pairs of matching sconces available.
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impeccable extendable arm Lumilux study lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Brushed brass base with original one-piece molded shade-diffuser in excellen...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass Sconces
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of brass double hurricane sconces by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Each solid brass sconce has a double hurricane shade, with the inner ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Cut-Crystal Five-Arm Chandelier, circa 1940s
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early example of the craftsmanship of the American lighting pioneer, Lightolier. Five glass arms meet at the bottom the tri-tiered cut-glass centre column. Brass cups und...
Category
1940s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Lightolier Chromed Metal Woven Ribbon Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in East Hampton, NY
Lightolier chromed metal woven ribbon light pendant.
Cord measures 13".
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
1960s Lightolier Sputnik Chandelier in Chrome with Glass Globes
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale chrome frame Sputnik chandelier, produced circa 1960s by Lightolier, with surrounding glass globe shades, radiating from a central nucleus. Very good vintage condition,...
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Five Light Lightolier White on White Molecule Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Space age tubular steel construction, in original white finish. Five sockets, which accept standard bulbs allowing for a variety of choices including the white ball bulbs shown, or c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage 43 Globe Sputnik Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Large vintage 43 globe Sputnik chandelier by Lightolier.
This polished chrome fixture supports 43 6" clear glass globes which when illuminate...
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Three-Light Modernist Cascading Smoked Glass Chandelier after Panton
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Three smoked glass outer shades surround interior textured clear glass cylinder diffuser shade. Each shade hangs from center metal ceiling cap. Working, original condition, very mino...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Chrome and Glass Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning chrome and brushed steel and glass eight-arm chandelier. Each bulb is surrounded by a bubble glass cylindrical shade.
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Lightolier Black Enamel Sixteen-Light Mid-Century Light Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in St. Louis, MO
Black enameled light fixture with sixteen arm light fixture made by Lightolier, original enamel in excellent condition, measures 24" H from bottom...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Spun Aluminum Eight-Light Modernist Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Modernist chandelier in spun aluminum and steel with eight arms and glass globes. Vented bobeches hold the glass globes in place over spun aluminum tube socket covers. Possibly an ea...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Lightolier Neoclassical Brass and Darkest Green Urn Form Table Lamps
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant pair of neoclassical table lamps from Lightolier with spun brass caps, risers and base. Also, dark green lacquered metal fluted urn body and c...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Lightolier Gooseneck Desk Reading Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable desk, reading lamp. Classic Post Modern design in the Italian School.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
16-light chandelier by Lightolier.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Gerald Thurston Wall Table or Desk Cricket Lamp Midcentury , 1950s
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in San Diego, CA
White "Cricket" lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. It can be used on a table, desk or hung on a wall. The shade pivots so light can be directed in various angles. It includes th...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Expertly Restored - Gerald Thurston Sculpted Brass & Walnut Tripod Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
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 furnit...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Sculptural 36-Bulb Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier ca. 1970s
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Peabody, MA
Large modernist thirty-six bulb chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier, ca. early 1970s. A classic architectural design that offers both upward and downward facing light, crea...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Lightolier Chrome Sconces
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of lovely American polished chrome Lightolier Chrome sconces from the 1960s. Wired with 1 E26 medium based socket per sconce. Wired for use in t...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Domed Pendant Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A nice cleanly designed mid century domed pendant chandelier with matching metal concentric louvered shade which snaps in for easy bulb changing for the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Large Thurston for Lightolier Six Light Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Six cone form shades hang from a centre spoke form structural element. Each shade has its original concentric ring glass diffuser in place. Chandelier is in clean, original working c...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Substantial Gerald Thurston Lightolier Porcelain "Fin" Table Lamp, 1950s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic three foot high Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Two-Tone Parabolic Fin Porcelain Table Lamp. Featuring concave forms in dark chocolate and taupe with brass base and feet. Trip...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
1970s Sciolari 12-Arm Polished Chrome Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
A 12-arm chandelier in polished chrome by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier, USA, circa 1950.
Wired for US; in very good condition. Takes 24 candelabra base bulbs, 40 watts max each....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Classic Lightolier Sputnik Pendant Light Fixture, Smoke Glass Globes
By Lightolier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Lightolier Sputnik pendant light fixture, atomic design, smoke glass globes. Retains original early Lightolier paper label.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Vanity Light with Chrome and Glass Rods by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This stunning vanity light features an abundance of translucent glass rods secured with a streamlined brushed chrome rod that attached to a polished brass base. Founded in 1904, the ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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
Large Cascade Rod Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Dallas, TX
Chrome mount, 45 Lucite rods with miniature lights and large center bulb illuminate this beautiful chandelier by Lightolier.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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.