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.
1960s Lightolier 5 arms Striped Glass and Brass Flush Mount , USA
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Elegant 5 arms striped glass mounted on a brass structure flush mount fixture from Lightolier. Leafs are brass plated . Contain 5 E26 Edison base socket rated at 40 watt each ...
Brass
Lightolier Square Brass Flush Mount Ceiling Light (6 Available)
By Lightolier
Located in Hanover, MA
We have a total of six (6) Lightolier polished brass square flush mount ceiling lights which uses sixteen 7 watt marquis globe bulbs for a total of 112 watts. We will include a set o...
Brass, Steel
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Gerald Thurston Perforated Cone Pendant , USA
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Classic pendant from the 50s by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier . Brass plated shade with perforated enameled steel cone . Bakelite knob under . Contain one E26 size socket rat...
Metal, Aluminum
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Sciolari Cubic Flush Mount for Lightolier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier, Sciolari Lighting
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Classic thick , heavy , bubbly glass cubes sitting on a chrome plate flush mount from Gaetano Sciolari . Each glass cube measure 4.25 in wide 3.18 in high . Require 4 candelab...
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Lightolier Pacemaker Ceiling Light
By Lightolier
Located in Hanover, MA
Lightolier flying saucer ceiling light, suspended flush mount, brass and enameled curved glass with gold flecks. Takes up to 3 100 watt bulbs. No...
Pair of Mid-Century Hexagonal Shade Glass Flush Mount Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This lovely Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Shade Glass Flush Mount Chandeliers W/Brass Fittings is by Lightolier and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Feature...
Brass
5 Pieces Mid Century Modern Recessed Aluminum Eyeball Lighting by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous eyeball socket type recessed lighting by Lightolier c1960. Aluminum sockets that rotate to your desired location. Complete with housing and reinforced cable wiring. Ready for new construction or to be retrofitted. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear to the aluminum. Signed...
Aluminum, Steel
Midcentury Modern Brass & Teakwood Pendant Light Flush Mount by Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Lisse, NL
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Teak Pendant Light by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, 1950s. A stunning example of mid-century American design, this rare pendant light was designed by Ge...
Brass, Aluminum
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier Rare Large Ballerina Twelve-Light Chandelier, 1950s
By Lightolier, Paavo Tynell
Located in New York, NY
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier rare and exquisite twelve-light 'Ballerina' chandelier, Canada, circa 1958. This classic chandelier has twelve elegantly curved brass arms each holding s...
Brass, Aluminum
1970s Sciolari Flush Ceiling Lamp Stainless & Brass Italy
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1970s Lightolier Geometric Ceiling Lamp Stainless Steel & Brass Italy Spectacular Flush Mount. Two lamps available, Price per one item. Maker stamped Lightolier. A...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier Rare Ballerina Brass Eight-Light Chandelier, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier rare and exquisite brass eight-light “Ballerina” chandelier, Canada, circa 1958. This classic Scandinavian Modern chandelier features eight elegantly cur...
Aluminum, Brass
Paavo Tynell Starry Sky 9068 Lamp by Lightolier Midcentury Island Nook Pendant
By Lightolier, Paavo Tynell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
US WIRED, from a Washington DC estate. Rare ceiling downlight, or could be outfitted to be hung as a pendant. This is a USA Lightolier version uses an anodized aluminum grate diffus...
Steel
Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Shade Glass Flush Mount Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This lovely Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Shade Glass Flush Mount Chandelier W/Brass Fittings is by Lightolier and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a hexagon...
Brass
Wall Light Sconce Gerald Thurston Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Large wall light sconce Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Handcrafted glass with white and gold colored glass overlay creating a bursting display...
Brass
Gaetano Sciolari Multi Tubular Brass Wall Light
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Hanover, MA
Gaetano Sciolari designed the Tubular Collection for Lightolier in the 1960s. Here we present model 4686 multi-tubular brass wall sconce designed by Gaetano Sciolari and produced by ...
Aluminum, Brass
Flush Mount Chrome & Murano Glass Ceiling Light by Sciolari for Lightolier
By Alessandro Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This brilliant Mid-Century Modern flush mount chandelier was realized by the esteemed Italian glass blower Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier, circa 1970. It features four thick translu...
Chrome
1970s lightolier ceiling flush mount light sciolari hexagonal glass and chrome
By Lightolier, Alessandro Sciolari
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Very thick glass and high polished chrome, pairs well with vanity bulbs. Tagged by Lightolier, and in excellent vintage condition.
Art Glass
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Two-Tiered Glass Rod and Brass Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
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. ...
Chrome, Brass
Mid-Century Hexagonal Glass Flush Mount Chandelier in Brass by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This lovely Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Three Shade Glass Flush Mount Chandelier W/Brass Fittings is by Lightolier and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features thr...
Brass
Lightolier Pendant Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier brass and glass pendant light. Brass and steel mesh cone supporting a domed textured glass shade with overlaid faux gilding to the underside. Lightolie...
Brass
Lightolier Art Deco inspired Glass Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Lightolier Flush mount Brass and Etched Glass Art Deco inspired chandelier. Beautiful vintage flush mount chandelier fixture. Pictured ...
Brass
Lightolier Mid Century Hanging Bubbles Ceiling Light (A)
By Lightolier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A flush mounted ceiling light with chrome , drop down blown glass balls and smoked glass shaded fixtures called the " Bubbles " light . A great piece of lighting with six glass balls...
Chrome
Lightolier German Glass and Brass Flush Mount Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
German cut glass dome flush mount chandelier with brass rim and finial by Lightolier, circa 1960s. Paper label attached.
Brass
A Petite Lightolier Pendant Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic atomic stile, midcentury pendant light by Lightolier. Ceiling flush mount with glass diffuser and perforated brass shade. Perfect for a low ceiling or a small space. Measur...
Brass
Mid-Century Brass And Glass Flush Mount Fixture, 1960s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Amazing Vintage Ceiling Lamp. Antique Brass And Glass Flush Mount Fixture. A lamp is a light source that should be in every home. This item of lighting is used in bedrooms, living r...
Brass
$10,240
H 39.38 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Iconic Gold and Chrome Cubic Gaetano Sciolari Chandelier, Italy, 1970
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rome, IT
Famous chandelier belonging to the series inspired by a trip of Gaetano Sciolari in New York, the chandelier is composed of 20 lights that radiate a striking light. Structure is made...
Brass
1970s Sciolari Flush Ceiling Lamp Stainless & Brass Italy
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1970s Lightolier Geometric Ceiling Lamp Stainless Steel & Brass Italy Spectacular Flush Mount. Two lamps available, Price per one item. Maker stamped Lightolier. A...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$220
H 5 in W 13 in D 14 in
Octagonal Brass and Lucite Glass Flush Mount, Zicoli Leuchten, Germany, 1960s
By Zicoli
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning large Lucite glass flush mount by Zicoli Leuchten, Limbach Germany. It has a nice Lucite glass on a brass frame. The Fixture requires two European E27 / 110 volt Edison bu...
Metal
$3,011
H 20.08 in W 14.57 in D 16.15 in
Elegant Table Lamp or Desk Light by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier USA 1950s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern table lamp or desk light. Designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, USA, 1950s. Executed in brass, aluminium, lucite and metal, the table lamp comes wit...
Aluminum, Brass, Metal
Large Square Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Honsel Leuchten, Germany
By Honsel
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful flush mount by Honsel Leuchten, Germany. Gorgeous textured amber colored glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires two Eur...
Metal
Trio Shade Flush Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian midcentury flush mount with 3 smoky Murano glass shades mounted on solid brass frame in satin brass finish / Made in Italy 3 lights / E12 or E14 type / max 40W each Measures:...
Brass
$455
H 4.13 in W 9.13 in D 9.13 in
Beautiful Starburst Pattern Limburg Square Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful starburst pattern flush mount. Made in Germany by Glashuette Limburg. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. The fixture requires one European E27 Edison b...
Metal
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Reading Floor Lamp with White Linen Shade. Featuring a joined tripod, three legged patinated Brass framework, original Off-White ena...
Brass, Metal
$3,500
H 104 in W 15 in D 15 in
Lightolier Lytespan Tension Pole Lamp! Mid Century Modern 1950s Gerald Thurston
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Peoria, AZ
LIGHTOLIER MID CENTURY MODERN LYTESPAN 1959 TENSION POLE LAMP! ICONIC 3 GOLD SHADES WITH HANDLES! FITS 8 FT. CEILING This is both an iconic & gorgeous Lightolier atomic...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Ceiling or Wall Light, Germany 1960s
By Kaiser Leuchten
Located in Almelo, NL
Round Ceiling or wall light Germany 1960s. This round flush mount ceiling or wall light, made of heavy, textured clear iced glass, was crafted in Germany in the 1960s. This midcentury vintage lamp...
Metal
$1,000
H 26.25 in W 23 in D 23 in
Midcentury Tri Pod Table Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier C 1950s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Classic midcentury table lamp designed by Gerald Thurston, made by Lightolier, circa 1950s. The lamp has a three leg, tripod form base of black rods, which support interior diffusers...
Metal
1970s Sciolari 9 Thick Glass Cube Flush Mount for Lightolier , USA
By Lightolier, Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Gaetano Sciolari massive 9 thick glass cube chrome plated flush mount fixture for Lightolier . Contain 9 E12 candelabra size socket rated at 40 watt each . Each cube measure...
Chrome, Metal
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier Rare Ballerina Eight-Light Chandelier, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier rare and exquisite eight-light 'Ballerina' chandelier, Canada, circa 1958. This classic Scandinavian Modern chandelier has eight elegantly curved brass a...
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Rare 1960s Paavo Tynell Starry Sky 9068 Lamp by Lightolier Ceiling Mount Large
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Ready to be hardwired, with normal US 110v voltage. Houses 4 incandescent bulbs. This is a large 18x18 square “starry sky” ceiling lamp model #9068 by Paavo Tynell for Lightolier. ...
Steel
Mid Century Ceiling Mount Fixture by Lightolier after P. Tynell / G. Thurston
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid century, Hollywood Regency style flush mount Fixture, made by Lightolier in the manner of Paavo Tynell, possibly designed by Gerald Thurston. The fixture features ...
Brass
Sold
H 7.5 in W 8 in D 8 in
Mid-Century Modernist Flush Mount Chandelier in Brass and Glass Rods Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This serene and carefully scaled Mid-Century Modernist Flush Mount Chandelier in Brass and Glass Rods is by Lightolier and originates form the United States, Circa 1970. Features a s...
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Rare 1960s Paavo Tynell Starry Sky 9068 Lamp by Lightolier Ceiling Mount Large
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Ready to be hardwired, with normal US 110v voltage. Houses 4 incandescent bulbs. This is a large 18x18 square “starry sky” ceiling lamp model #9068 by Paavo Tynell for Lightolier. ...
Steel
1970s Sciolari 9 Thick Glass Cube Flush Mount for Lightolier , USA
By Lightolier, Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Gaetano Sciolari 9 thick glass cube brass plated flush mount fixture for Lightolier . Contain 9 E12 candelabra size socket rated at 40 watt each . E...
Metal, Brass
3 - Lightolier Ceiling Lights
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
3 Lightolier Ceiling Fixtures. Perforated brass ceiling fixtures from the 1950s USA. Finish is aged patina brass. Wired with 1-E26 medium based socket, per fixture. They can also be ...
Brass
Brass Lightoiler Hanging Lamp Paavo Tynell / Gerald Thurston
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in Oakland, CA
Lightolier ceiling fixture comprised of three perforated with star patterns round discus with round glass inserts with concentric circles in the center and constructed of brass. Fin...
Brass
Paavo Tynell Style Brass/Glass Flush Mount Lamp by Lightolier, 1950, USA
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual brass and frosted etched glass flush mount lamp by Lightolier, 1950, USA, Wonderful 24" glass saucer (disk) with spring-like brasse Unusual brass and frosted, etched glass f...
Brass
1950s Gerald Thurston Enameled Shade Flushmount , Lightolier , USA
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Enameled aluminium shade pierced with a star pattern . Each shade measure 9.5 in wide by 2 in high . Glass diffuser under . 3 Bakelite socket rated at 40 watt each Brass struct...
Aluminum, Brass
Space Crystal Half Sputnik Ceiling Light by Motoko Ishii
By Lightolier, Motoko Ishii
Located in Hanover, MA
From the Space Crystal collection designed by Motoko Ishii, the multi-award winning savant of architectural lighting, created in 1972 for West German firm Staff Leuchten. This robus...
Chrome