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.
$2,480Sale Price|20% Off
Nakashima Style Walnut and Birch Wall Lamp by Lightolier, 1960s
By Lightolier
Located in Camden, ME
Four sided Nakashima style wall lamp for Lightolier, 1960s. The rectilinear box frame of solid walnut has an inset grid of birch over laid on shoji paper panels which conceal a s...
Birch, Walnut, Paper
Pair of wall lights by Sciolari for Lightolier, Italy, 1970
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Very beautiful and rare pair of wall lights from the house of Sciolari for Lightolier dating from 1970. Composed of crystal rods, these wall lights are spectacular. Rare design objec...
Crystal
$495Sale Price|67% Off
New Old Stock from Lightolier 1980s Louvered Wall Sconces , USA
By Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
In sealed, marked Lightolier box. Only one available . Model 6569 Well designed, made with thick metal, powder coated in a matte/semi gloss light beige and dark brown tone. ...
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
Mid-Century Modernist Brushed Aluminum Cylindrical Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Mid-Century Modernist cylindrical sconces by Lightolier, crafted in the 1970s, represents the clean, minimalist design philosophy of the era. Combining form and function...
Aluminum
Gaetano Sciolari Multi Tubular Brass Wall Light
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
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
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Taupe "Cricket" Desk Lamp, Circa 1955
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Dark Camel "Cricket" Table Lamp, Wall Lamp. Featuring the adjustable perforated dome Bakelite Shade in a natural, earthen coloration (Pantone ...
Brass, Steel
Lightolier Alabaster Brass Wall Sconce, Curved Design, 1980s
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.
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of Lightolier Scalini Chrome w Stacked Glass Art Deco Post Modern Sconces
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of high quality wall sconces by Lightolier. Multiple staggered and stacked rounded glass panels with a chromed housing. Very elegant! Pair is in near perfect condition...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Modern Architectural Leaded Milk Glass Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern sculptural leaded milk glass sconces on the diagonal. Rare and hard to find in this architectural design, we have two pairs available. P...
Lead
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
Pair of Lightolier Wall Sconces Mid Century Modern
By Lightolier
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Pair of Lightolier wall scones in offwhite color. Tested and working with out any issues. Brass has original vintage patina. Dimensions: 10.5 h x 7.5 d x 7.5 diameter. Stamped "LIG...
Aluminum, Brass
Alabaster And Brass Sconces By Lightolier Art Deco Style Ca' 1980's
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of four (4) alabaster and brass sconces by Lightolier. Made in Spain ca' 1980's. Large-14" wide, 10" deep, heavy and very well ...
Alabaster, Brass
1970s Lightolier Double Wall Lamp Sconce Modern Minimalism
By Lightolier
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Lightolier Modern Double Wall Sconce in Aluminum 17.75 x 10.25 w x8 d Stamp present. Preowned original vintage condition See all images please.
Aluminum
Vintage Lightolier Brutalist Block Light Box
By Lightolier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This rare vintage Lightolier light box is a stunning example of 1970s Brutalist design. Featuring the authentic "Lightolier X" maker’s mark, this architectural fixture is defined by ...
Steel
$840Sale Price|70% Off
Lightolier White Wall Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Large white wall sconce by Lightolier. Signed, USA, circa 1950. Newly rewired and refinished in white satin powdercoat.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Spotlight Scones Pair of Doubles Lightolier
By Montgomery Ward, Lightolier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural aluminum sconces with two lights on each sconce. All aluminum and made for Montgomery Ward c1958. We have single sconces as well. Six....
Aluminum
$750 / set
Lightolier Brass Wall Sconces A Pair
By Lightolier
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of brass wall sconces by Lightolier with black metal escutcheon plates. Retaining "Lightolier" paper labels. Tested and in working order. Light cans articulate to change direc...
Metal, Brass
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass Sconces
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of brass double hurricane sconces by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Each solid brass sconce has a double hurricane shade, with the inner ...
Brass
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 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 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
Amazing Pair Of 1950's Lightolier Murano And Brass Sconces Mid-century
By Lightolier
Located in Pemberton, NJ
LOVELY PAIR OF 1950'S LIGHTOLIER MURANO AND BRASS SCONCES. THE REMOVABLE MURANO GLASS HAS A VERY TEXTURED INTERIOR SURFACE WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE...
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
Vintage Pull Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gino Sarfatti, Edward Wormley
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
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
Rare Vintage Spot Light by Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spot light which can be used as a wall light or flush mount, with a single clear cubic Murano glass shade hand blown with bubbles inside the glass using bollicine tec...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,492
H 5.91 in W 29.53 in D 7.09 in
Leola Flushmount Wall light Sciolari stlye Chrome Brass, Germany, 1970s
By Leola, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning three-light fixture in brass can be used as a wall or ceiling light. Sockets: 5 x E27 standard bulbs - max 60 watts each Light bulbs are not included. It is possible to i...
Chrome, Brass
Pair of Pierre Yves Rochon Nickel Plated Brass French Sconces
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Pierre Yves Rochon nickel plated brass French sconces. Specially made for a prestigious palace in Paris. In the style of Rulhman. US rewi...
Brass, Nickel
$375 / item
H 11 in W 14 in D 10.25 in
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
Hand-Crafted Neoclassic Wall Sconces, Metal, USA, 1980s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant pair of wall sconces made of metal, painted in silver and gold, with two 60/watt light each sconce Electrified and ready to use. Beautiful and clean cut pair for the wall. ...
Metal
$3,731 / set
H 23.82 in W 12.21 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Cubic Sconces Metal Murano Glass by Sciolari, Italy, 1970s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
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.
Metal
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
Leola Flushmount Wall light Sciolari Brass, Germany, 1970s
By Leola, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning three-light fixture in brass can be used as a wall or ceiling light. Sockets: 3 x E27 standard bulbs - max 60 watts each Light bulbs are not included. It is possible to i...
Chrome
Tiffany style adjustable Brass Wall lamp 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Brass Wall lamp . Adjustable in height ,sliding on a rail. comes with a Tiffany style shade .
Brass
$577Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Midcentury Wall Lamps in style of Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1970s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting - rare type - very good original condition
Brass
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
$367 / item
H 14 in W 7 in D 7 in
30 Flared Modernist Hour-glass Anodized Aluminum Wall Sconces, Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Group of 30 matching Flared Modernist Hour-glass Anodized Aluminum Wall Sconces, possibly made by Lightolier.. Classic design and styling,, Up / down lighting,, Priced per lamp,, dis...
Aluminum
Sold
H 15.75 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Pair of wall lights from the house of Sciolari for Lightolier, Italy 1970
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Very beautiful and rare pair of wall lights from the house of Sciolari for Lightolier dating from 1970. Composed of crystal rods, these wall lights are spectacular. Rare design objec...
Crystal
Lightolier Adjustable Brass Up Light Sconce, Italy
By Lightolier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A gorgeous brass Italian wall lamp from the 1970s-1980s, oval form. Adjustable hinge allows the sconce to be tilted for perfect illumination. ...
Brass
Rare Pair Wall Swing-Arm Lamps by Gerald Thurston
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in South Charleston, WV
Sleek and Versatile, this pair of wall lamps by Gerald Thurston that provides elegant lighting with a sophisticated approach to wall sconce illumination. 17.5" tall, 14" deep and 8" ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 19 in D 14 in
Lightolier Tubular Chome Flush Mount Wall Sconce Lamp or Ceiling Light 1970s
By Lightolier
Located in Troy, MI
Mid Century space age wall mount sconce or ceiling light by Lightolier West circa 1970s Flush mount sputnik design of 8 tubular chrome arms with white globe bulbs Hardwired with ori...
Chrome
Scalini Wall Mount Lightolier Glass and Brass Wall Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Very heavy NOS wall mount Lightolier glass and brass sconce. Stunning piece surely looks impressive lit up. Could be hung either way.
Brass
Mid-Century Glass & Brass Hourglass Wall Light Sconces
By Paavo Tynell, Lightolier
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1950's glass hourglass Lightolier wall sconces. Attributed to Gerold Thurston design. Textured glass with brass hardware. 4-1/2in wall cap.
Brass
Gerald Thurston Lightolier Wall Sconce Lamp
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
These lamps were covered outdoors, so we had to paint them and remove the rust. They need to be rewired and change where the bulbs screw in.
Metal, Brass
1970s Lightolier Mod 16 Bulb Wall Lamp Flat Chrome Panel Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Lightolier Mod 16 Bulb Flat Wall Sconce Square Chrome Panel 16 x 16 x 2 d Selling without bulbs. Requires bulb e26-27. Preowned original vintage...
Chrome
Sold
H 4.5 in W 24 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Midcentury Wall Lights with Cubist Design by Sciolari for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of wall lights by Sciolari for Lightolier. Each has four cubes that sparkle when lit. Can be mounted horizontal or vertical.
Chrome
1970s Lightolier Mod 16 Bulb Wall Lamp Flat Chrome Panel Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Lightolier Mod 16 Bulb Flat Wall Sconce Square Chrome Panel (Four sconces are available) 16 x 16 x 2 d Selling without bulbs Preowned original v...
Chrome
Pair Lightolier Alabaster Brass Sconces
By Lightolier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair Lightolier curved alabaster sconces with brass fittings and brass plated trim backplates. Each uses single 60 watt regular A size bulb. Second pa...
Alabaster, Brass
Pair Lightolier Alabaster Brass Wall Sconces
By Lightolier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair Lightolier curved alabaster wall light sconces with brass fittings and brass plated trim backplates. Each uses single 60 watt regular A size bulb...
Alabaster, Brass