Lightolier Lighting
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
Single Lightolier Alabaster Brass Wall Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Single Lightolier curved alabaster wall light sconce with brass fittings and brass plated trim backplates. Uses single 60 watt regular A size bulb.
Category
Late 20th Century American Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Black Iron Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous black iron sculptural chandelier by Lightolier. Total current hgt./length is about 48 with existing chain links. This can be shortened to about 28 with canopy and 1 link. Pl...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Pristine Vintage Lumilon Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of pristine vintage Lumilon table lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Original one-piece shade-diffusers. UL listed.
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Venetia Glass & Brass Table Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very clean mid-century Venetia Italian glass lamp manufactured by Lightolier. From the 1950s, this example is in very good condition. The glass has no chips or cracks and t...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Gerald Thurston Canister Reflector Lamp for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Denton, TX
Aluminum cylinder with black metal base and pleated interior by Gerald Thurston. Best used as a floor up light to create a moody ambiance or to highlight a architechual element in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
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 Lighting
Materials
Steel
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid Century Modern Walnut and Metal Chandelier By Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 18in W: 19 1/2in D: 19 1/2in
This Mid Century Modern three light chandelier is something to be seen! Lightolier produced this walnut and brass chandelier. Lightolier...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
$740 Sale Price
38% Off
Lightolier White Globe Light Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lightolier Hanging Chrome pendant Lamp. White Glass Globe sits in a Chrome ring. In very nice shape, glass is clean. Retains lightolier label on canopy.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Brass Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A midcentury chandelier with six white globes sitting on wave like sinusoid- sphere brass metalwork with radiating hanging rods fusing at the top into a shaft of bronze. Retains the ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass and Metal Table Lamps
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of tables lamps designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier composed of oversized, fully-adjustable, black-metal shades and corresponding round bases with brass stems (ca. 1950s,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
Rare 1960's Gaetano Sciolari Chrome and Beaded Crystal Chandelier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare Gaetano Sciolari Chrome and Beaded Crystal Chandelier, featuring a striking tiered design with cascading crystal strands and faceted teardrop prisms. The chrome frame is adorned...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
$1,932 Sale Price
31% Off
Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Sunburst Flushmount Ceiling or Wall Light
By Carl Moser 1, Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Hanover, MA
From Lightolier's Claremont Collection circa 1953 (see image 20) we present this show stopping domed shaped ceiling fixture with 13 curved brass sputnik arms and cones for candelabra...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Mid Century Modern White Metal Pole Floor Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Vintage Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Mid Century Modern White Metal "Bullet" Pole F...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
Walnut and Chrome Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Denton, TX
Walnut and chrome table lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Porcelain Hourglass Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston, 1950s
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Westport, CT
Stunning pair of vintage table lamps that exude sophistication and style - a true collector's item for those who appreciate mid-century modern design. These lamps were designed by th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Ceiling Lamp by Lightolier, 1970
By Lightolier
Located in Belmont, MA
A beautiful mid century pair of ceiling lamps by Lightolier with a polished chrome canopy and 18 transparent glass cylinders. One central light bul...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Chrome
$1,440 Sale Price / set
28% Off
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Accent Table Lamp in Gloss Black & Polished Brass
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Stamford, CT
Over the last century, lighting design has experienced a remarkable transformation. Today’s designers continue to explore bold new forms and materials, but the spirit of this innovat...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass, Metal
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid Century Modern Frosted White Glass Hanging Pendant Light by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern ceiling pendant lamp manufactured by Lightolier circa 1960s. This unique shade is made of frosted glass that emits a glo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Lightolier Mid Century Glass Pendant Light
By Lightolier
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lightolier Mid Century Glass Pendant Light
This light measures: 14 wide x 14 deep x 11 inches high
We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail as poss...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Lightolier Lights With 16 Glass Blocks Each, USA Circa 1975
By Lightolier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Each light has 16 glass blocks that attach to a polished steel frame. The glass blocks are thick and square with tiny detailed air pockets throughout. In the center of each block is ...
Category
1670s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Lightolier Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Pendant by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Beautiful piece of the early 70s, chrome in its maximum expression of its time, the union of the four spheres to the cylinder make the piece an incredible design.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$1,200 Sale Price
50% Off
1970s Lightolier Brass Waterfall Cage Lamp with New White Glass Diffusers
By Lightolier, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This ethereal floor lamp, attributed to Lightolier and rooted in the extravagant design ethos of the 1970s, stands as a mesmerizing blend of sculptural art and functional lighting. I...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Midcentury Vintage Ceramic Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury vintage ceramic lamp base by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.
As shown, ceramic base requires specifying hardware and wiring. First photo with black shade is for reference...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Lightolier Pair of Porcelain and Brass Table lLamps 1940s
By Lightolier
Located in Miami, FL
Large pair of lamps. Brass and ceramic
Category
1940s American Vintage Lightolier Lighting
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 Lighting
$1,650 Sale Price
34% Off
Torchere Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston / Carl Moser for Lightolier, 1953
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Classic uplight torchère floor lamp with three vertical brass rods supporting a shallow brass bowl and wider glass shade. The base designed by Gerald Thurston with a textured, fire a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Mid Century Walnut and Brass Floor Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier mid century walnut and brass floor lamp
This lamp measures: 15 wide x 15 deep x 54.5 inches high
This lamp is in Fair Vintage Condition with some...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Wood
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Brass Floor Lamp Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very good looking mid-century floor lamp made by Lightolier USA. It features a tapering brass column over a black enamel base, the original molded cellulose shade with removable pe...
Category
1950s Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,000 Sale Price
45% Off
Lightolier Vintage Patinated Copper Pendant
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Lightolier Vintage Patinated Copper Pendant light fixture complete with glass lens that sits in center. This is a light weight luminaire made with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
Rare Floor Lamp by Tommi Parzinger, USA, 1960's
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Floor Lamp by Tommi Parzinger, USA, 1960's
Rare floor lamp by Tommi Parzinger for Lightolier. Six-arm, nickel-plated steel, trident-style with original shades. 1960s limited pro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Steel
Marvelous Lightolier 10 Cylinder Light Chandelier Flush Light Mid-Century Modern
By Lightolier
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Marvelous Lightolier 10 cylinder light chandelier with star shaped cut crystal globes. This wonderfully simple light fixture would be perfect for a midcentury inspired tall foyer or stairwell...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Lightolier Mid Century Brass and Travertine Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lightolier Mid Century Brass and Travertine Lamp
This lamp measures: 17 wide x 17 deep x 32 inches high
We take our photos in a controlled lig...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Gaetano Sciolari "Cage" Pendant Lamp by Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
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 Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Adjustable Brass Pendant for Lightolier
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Lightolier Brass 36 Light Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier Brass 36 Light Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chandelier for Lightolier, 1969
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A matte black metal ceiling fixture having straight slender arms extending outwardly from its vertical post in a spiral effect inspired by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1960.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vintage White Metal Shade and White Metal Base Desk Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 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 Lighting
Materials
Brass, Metal, Wire
1950s Mid Century Honeycomb Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
✨ Mid-Century Honeycomb Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier ✨
Designed by the renowned Gerald Thurston and manufactured by Lightolier in the 1950s, this exquisite mid-centu...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Brass
Hanging Pendant Lamp for Lightolier
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Chromed Metal Woven Ribbon Chandelier by Max Sauze for Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Mid-Century chandelier designed by Max Sauze for Lightolier. Made in USA, c. 1960's. The chandelier features a captivating woven ribbon design crafted from chromed metal. The...
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Materials
Chrome
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 Lighting
Materials
Wood
Lightolier lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Lightolier lighting are available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by Gordon & Jane Martz, Laurel Lamp Company, and Marshall Studios. Prices for Lightolier lighting 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 Lighting
- 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.