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Lightolier

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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Creator: Lightolier
Dealer: Rearview Modern
Pair of Vintage Cubist Brass and Glass Sconces, Italy, c. 1970's
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces with cubist design. The sconces feature brass frames with two hand-crafted and cut glass shades with block forms. Frames can be mounte...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cubist Chrome and Glass Wall Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari, c. 1970's
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Italian Mid-Century Modern sconce featuring four molded glass block shades. Cubist design in polished chrome with chrome center finial. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Makes great powder room vanity...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Wall Light with Cubist Design by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-century modern vanity light or wall sconce featuring four large glass block shades. Streamline polished chrome frame with cubist glass design. Can be is mounted vertically or hor...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Cubist Chrome and Glass Six Light Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari, c. 1970's
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Italian Mid-Century Modern sconce featuring six hand cut glass block shades. Streamline frame in polished chrome with cubist design and chrome ball fittings. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Makes a great powder room vanity light. Shown with chrome tip...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier

Materials

Chrome

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Pair of Cubic Sconces Metal Murano Glass by Sciolari, Italy, 1970s
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Rare pair of Cubic wall lights lamps sconces in metal and Murano glass by Sciolari. Famous design like Reggiani, Romeo Rega, Willy Rizzo for Lumica.
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Vintage Italian Chrome Sputnik Wall Light by Gaetano Sciolari
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Rare Gaetano Sciolari Brass and Glass Wall Sconces, 1970s
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Pair of Geometry Metal Sconces, Italy, 1970s
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  • Pair of Geometry Metal Sconces, Italy, 1970s
  • Pair of Geometry Metal Sconces, Italy, 1970s
  • Pair of Geometry Metal Sconces, Italy, 1970s
  • Pair of Geometry Metal Sconces, Italy, 1970s
H 9.06 in. W 14.18 in. D 4.73 in.
Pair of Midcentury Wall Lamps Designed by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1970s
By Gaetano Sciolari
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- Very nice style of lighting - Rare type - Original condition, brass with patina.
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1970’s Brass and Steel Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari
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Classic Gaetano Sciolari style Scone with characteristic use of chrome & brass. It holds five E14 lightbulbs. Please note, we have more chandeliers and scones in the same style in...
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1970’s Brass and Steel Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari
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Classic Gaetano Sciolari style Sconce with characteristic use of chrome and brass. It holds three E14 lightbulbs. Please note, we have more chandeliers and scones in the same styl...
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1970s Italian Vintage Lightolier

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Pair of Italian Chrome & Glass Crystal Wall Sconces by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
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Pair of glass crystal and chromed steel wall sconces by Gaetano Sciolari. Made in Italy in the 1960s. Featuring 3 tubular chromed steel structured pipes set on a domed wall mounting unit, also in chromed steel. Each tubular steel is finished with crystal glass balls...
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Pair of Cubist Chromed Gaetano Sciolari Wall Sconce
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Pair of Italian Glass Wall Light Sconces by VECA Italy, C1970
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Pair of Veca glass wall lights mid century Italy, circa 1970 Two mid-century wall light sconces from Italian lighting company Veca. Seven alternating blue and clear/pale green glass...
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Previously Available Items
Italian Brass Sconce with Sculptural Lucite Shades by Lightolier, c. 1970's
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Italian Mid-Century Modern wall light comprised of a brass frame with shades made of sculptural lucite rods. The four series of curved lucite rings create beautiful prism lighting...
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Hollywood Regency Waterfall Glass Rod Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
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Mid-Century Modern flush mount chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. Chandelier has hexagon frame in chrome with stylized three-sided brass centre fittings that fea...
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Cubist Glass and Brass Wall Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern wall light featuring four cubist glass block shades. Streamline frame in polished brass with handcut glass and brass ball fittings. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Make great powder room or vanity lights...
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Mid-Century Modern Cubist Wall Light in Chrome by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy
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Mid-Century Modern sconce featuring six handcut-glass block shades. Streamline frame in polished chrome with cubist design and chrome ball fittings. Can be is mounted vertically or h...
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Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Light with Cubist Design by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern wall light with cubist design. Sconce features six cube glass block shades with a polished brass frame, and brass ball accents. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Makes a great bathroom vanity light.
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Cubist Mid Century Modern Flush Mount by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Mid-Century Modern Brass Vanity Light Sconce by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-century modern wall light with cubist design. Sconce features six handcrafted block glass shades with a polished brass frame, and brass ball accents. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Makes a bathroom vanity light.
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Mid-Century Modern Wall Light with Large Glass Block Shades by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Outstanding Mid-Century Modern wall light with Cubist design. The sconce features three large hand cut-glass block shades with ice glass design and bubble details. Lights have stream...
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Pair of Cubist Wall Sconces in Brass & Glass by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of ultra-modernist wall lights featuring four cubist glass block shades. Streamline frame in polished brass with hand-cut glass design and brass ball fittings. Can be is mounted vertically or horizontally. Make great powder room vanity lights...
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Mid-Century Cubist Vanity Light in Chrome by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Outstanding Mid-Century Modern wall light featuring six hand-cut-glass block shades. Streamline frame in polished chrome with cubist glass design and chrome ball fittings. Can be is ...
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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Glass Rod Pendant Chandeliers by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of modernist glass rod pendant lights by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. The fixtures have a lantern style design featuring numerous ...
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Pair of Art Deco Style Alabaster Sconces with Half Dome Design
By Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of fine alabaster sconces with Art Deco inspired design by Lightolier. The sconces have a half dome design which function as uplights. The light also shines through the alabast...
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Lightolier furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Lightolier furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our Lightolier collection, there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. In-stock we have 295 vintage editions of these items, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. Many of Lightolier's original furniture was created during the 20th century in Mid-Century Modern style in North America. Many customers also consider furniture from Laurel Lamp Company, Gordon & Jane Martz and Gerald Thurston if you are looking for additional options. The prices for Lightolier furniture can vary depending upon size, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $249 and tops out at $21,000, while pieces like these can sell for $2,217 on average.
Questions About Lightolier
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Lightolier 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, 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.

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