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.
Porcelain Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, 1950s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Westport, CT
Speckled porcelain and brass table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightiolier, circa 1950-1959. Completely rewired, newly white linen shade included. Other designers of the ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Tripod Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston, USA
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century classic streamlined brass tripod floor lamp with linen shade. Some patina to brass, professionally rewired for use in the USA. Lamp uses 3 bulbs. Shade not included. Shad...
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...
Brass
Black & Brass Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Black & Gold Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. Minor tarnishing to brass and minor wear to saucer top. Measures ap...
Brass, Steel
Lightolier Mid Century Domed Pendant Chandelier
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 ...
Metal
Lightolier Mid Century Brass Sculptural Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning 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. Ret...
Bronze, Brass, 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.
Brass
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.
Metal
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Steel
Gerald Thurston Parabolic Fin Sculptural Ceramic Lamps by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Pair of "Parabolic Fin" Model Ceramic Lamps, designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, American, circa 1950s. They have been rewired and are ready to use. One lamp has a...
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.
Brass
Rare Six-Arm Floor Lamp by Tommi Parzinger, USA, 1960s
By Lightolier, Tommi Parzinger
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...
Steel
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.
Brass
Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass and Metal Table Lamps
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
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,...
Metal, Brass
$600Sale 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...
Metal
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Crystal, Brass
Rare 1960's Gaetano Sciolari Chrome and Beaded Crystal Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
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...
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage table lamp by Angelo Lelli for Lightolier, 1970s
By Angelo Lelii, Lightolier
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Space age table lamp designed by Angelo Lelli for Lightolier feautiring a white metal tube and a fine chromed base. The lamp can be adjusted in many ways. tested and ready for use ...
Metal, Chrome
$6,311Sale Price|22% Off
1970s Lightolier Brass Waterfall Cage Lamp with New White Glass Diffusers
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
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...
Brass, Chrome
Vintage Gerald Thurston for Lightolier "Studio Porcelains" Dark Gray Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Black "Studio Porcelains" Pleated Table Lamp. As seen in the 1958 Lightolier catalog. Height dim to top of finial. ...
Ceramic
Japanese Style Grid Floor Lamp for Lightolier, 1970's
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...
Birch, Walnut
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...
Metal
Lightolier Pair of Porcelain and Brass Table lLamps 1940s
By Lightolier
Located in Miami, FL
Large pair of lamps. Brass and ceramic
Brass
$2,816Sale Price|20% Off
Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
16-light chandelier by Lightolier.
Steel
Pair of Venetia Table Lamps by Lightolier, Light Blue and White Striped Glass
By Lightolier
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of "Venetia" table lamps by Lightolier. Striped with custom shades matching the originals. Glass is mint. The brass bases show signs of light wear with one having a small dent t...
Brass
Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall Sconce
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, task lamp, wall sconce by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features an adjustable, 5.5 inch diameter, painted metal shade on a brass stem and wall plate with an acc...
Metal, Brass
$1,200Sale Price|50% Off
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.
Metal, Chrome
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.
Glass
Vintage 1960s Lightolier Eight-Arm Chandelier in Chrome and Glass
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.
Chrome
Monumental Cascade Chandelier by Lightolier, 16 Globes, 1970s
By Lightolier
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental 16 globe cascade chandelier by Lightolier, circa 1970s. Blown glass bulbs in various sizes cascade nearly 10 feet from a 32" round canopy and create an impressive light fi...
Aluminum, Wire
'Vintage Desk Lamp by Lightolier, White Metal Shade and Brass Arm, 1970s"
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.
Brass, Metal, Wire
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...
Brass
Pair of Lightolier Chrome Tube Sconces, 1970s Space Age, Atomic
By Lightolier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great pair of chromed tube sconces, Swiss made for Lightolier. Rare eight-bulb configuration, very atomic, Space Age design.
Chrome
$1,400 / item
Graduated Pastel Cone Cluster Pendants by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern pendant lights featuring a graduated cluster of three pastel pink, blue and white, perforated cones on brass poles mounted on circular plates. Four clusters are av...
Metal, Brass
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 ...
Metal
$1,440Sale Price / set|28% Off
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...
Chrome
Vintage Pull Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Edward Wormley, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Pull Lamp most likely by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Possibly a design by Gino Sarfatti or Edward Wormley for Lightolier. Unmarked. ple...
Brass
Elusive Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp, Italian Pottery
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
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.
Brass
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Metal
1950s Mid Century Honeycomb Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by the renowned Gerald Thurston and manufactured by Lightolier in the 1950s, this exquisite mid-century table lamp is a bold fusion of sculptural form and functional design....
Brass
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...
Chrome
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass, Metal
$3,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Brass, Metal
Vintage Lightolier Brass 36 Light Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari / Arredoluce
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier Brass 36 Light Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari Manner of Arredoluce
Brass
$1,900Sale Price|50% Off
Nickel-Plated Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in North Miami, FL
Nickel-plated Lightolier chandelier from 1950s. With the pole height 40" made in Italy.
Metal
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.
Metal
The Squirrel Cage Chandelier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice chromed cage lamp by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. Four clear bulbs within the thick squared wire exterior.
Metal
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.
Chrome