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Lightolier Decorative Objects

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
1970s Lightolier Brass Waterfall Cage Lamp with New White Glass Diffusers
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
Located in Chattanooga, TN
ALL OF THESE GLASS SHADES ARE NEW! FMV collaborated with a phenomenal glass fabrication studio to reproduce from a mold, cast from an original shade. The final product looks exactly like the original, except the glass on ours is a bit thicker (and stronger). Ethereal, majestic, brass waterfall floor lamp...
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Lightolier Chrome Iron Hanging Candelabras
By Lightolier
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a beautiful pair of Lightolier Brutalist iron and chrome hanging candelabras. In excellent condition. The dimensions of each are 25" diameter x 27" height.  
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

Materials

Chrome, Iron

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Chrome

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Three Light Lightolier Fixture with Vintage Floral Glass Shade
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Mid-century modern brass candelabra, 1960's (50225)
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Uniquely shaped brass candelabra from the 1960's, designed and signed by Maria Magyarcsak, Hungarian metal artist. A very decorative Mid-century modern unique item.
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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Danish Cast Iron Candle Holders Candelabras Dansk
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Pair of cast iron candleabras by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk. Stamped underneath. Holds 12 thin candles each. Candles not included. Very good condition. Minor wear. Last photo is for dis...
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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Iron Candlesticks
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1940’s Murano Glass Sputnik Light Fixture
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Mid-Century Danish Modern Candelabra
By Laurids Lonborg
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Danish Modern candelabra with metal frame and acrylic cups. Would make a great table centerpiece. Denmark, 1950s.
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Metal

  • Mid-Century Danish Modern Candelabra
  • Mid-Century Danish Modern Candelabra
  • Mid-Century Danish Modern Candelabra
  • Mid-Century Danish Modern Candelabra
H 20 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
Mid Century Modern Ravenware Iron Candelabras by Richard Galef, circa 1950s
By Richard Galef
Located in Troy, MI
Richard Galef Ravenware Iron Candelabras 1950s Two available Hard to find Richard Galef for Ravenware model D35 Candelabra circa 1950s Black iron minimalist design Additional Infor...
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20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Contemporary Monroe Floor Lamp Polished Brass, Off White Lampshade, Art Lighting
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration: Marilyn Monroe, the sexiest Pin-up of the 1950s, inspired a piece of Art & Design. The design of the Monroe Lamp captures the essence of her ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Iron and Copper Floor Candelabra with Crystal Candle Holders
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern iron and copper floor candelabra in the form of water lilies with Royal Copenhagen Crystal candle holders. 20 crystal holders each approximately 3 inches tall and ...
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Mid-20th Century Lightolier Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Copper, Iron

Mid-century wrought iron candelabra, 1960's (50208)
Located in Budapest, HU
This unique and hand crafted candelabra from the 1960's is the work of an unknown metal artist. It comes with the original candle, although the candle had been lit at least once.
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Previously Available Items
Vintage 1970s Lightolier Brass Waterfall Cage Lamp with White Glass Diffusers
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Ethereal, majestic, brass waterfall floor lamp circa 1970s. Where does one begin when it comes to describing this lamp? It is absolutely stu...
Category

Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lightolier Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Pair of Gerald Thurston, Lightolier Table Lamps, Painted Wood Shapes
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning, pair of multicolored table lamps, made of stacked painted wood shapes with its original finish and patina, by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, late 1950s, original condition...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Brass

Pair of White Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston Table Lamps
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of Mid-Century Modern Gerald Thurston table lamps for Lightolier Brass ball and sculptural ribbed white ceramic on brass bases. Original brass finials. 3 sockets per lamp wit...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Brass

Midcentury Oversized David Cressey Ceramic Vase Table Lamp for Lightolier
By Lightolier, David Cressey
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage oversized ceramic vase and or table lamp by David Cressey for Lightolier. Fabulous flame glaze pottery. Dimens...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

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Lumia Light Lamp Box by Earl Reiback for Lightolier Lamp
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3 available, price is for 1. Lumia light art was discovered in the early 20th century with several designers who embraced the subject and captured it well. The mid century modern movement only produced a few designers who understood the subject well enough to produce a 3 dimensional form capturing the subject. In the late 50s and early 60s after seeing the films by Jim Davis (James Edward Davis...
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By Lightolier
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A newly polished Sputnik chandelier by Lightolier. 20 arms.
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

  • Lightolier Brass Sputnik Chandelier
  • Lightolier Brass Sputnik Chandelier
  • Lightolier Brass Sputnik Chandelier
  • Lightolier Brass Sputnik Chandelier
H 24 in Dm 30 in L 24 in
Maurizio Tempestini Abstract Iron Lamp for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Rochester, NY
A hard to find table lamp designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Lightolier by Salterini having an abstract sculptural form of black enameled steel and mounted into a shaped travertine ...
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1950s Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

Adjustable Black Task Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable task lamp by Lightolier. USA, circa 1960. Adjustable up and down arm movement. Black resin shade and base with white difffuser and chrome stem. Signed on base.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Decorative Objects

Lightolier decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Lightolier decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Lightolier were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Reed and Barton, Charles Hollis Jones, and Tony Paul. Prices for Lightolier decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,380 and can go as high as $3,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,790.
Questions About Lightolier Decorative Objects
  • 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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