Robert Sonneman Furniture
American, b. 1943
Though Robert Sonneman was quite literally born into the lighting business, it took working for another celebrated lighting maker for him to land upon the kind of boundary-pushing modernism for which the New York–based designer is known today.
At the age of 19, fresh off a stint in the U.S. Navy, Sonneman responded to an ad for a position working in the studio of George Kovacs on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he became the sole employee. “Although my parents were in the lighting business, they came from a traditional perspective, and Kovacs introduced me to modernism,” Sonneman once said. “It was 1961, and I was immediately captured by the movement.”
While working for Kovacs, Sonneman became captivated by the work of the Bauhaus, and he began experimenting with the influential art and design school’s ideas of functional simplicity in lighting. In 1967, he opened his own studio.
Though Sonneman Design Group produced furniture for a brief time, the designer eventually elected to focus on the one category that had always fascinated him; the brand became known for its floor lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers that feature unconventional treatments toward shape and balance, often inspired by modern architecture. Sonneman once said of his work: “I saw the lamps that I built as lighting machines that glorified the industrial aesthetic.”
Indeed, in the spirit of Bauhaus functionality — Sonneman has also cited Mies van der Rohe as being an inspiration — the designer’s work takes function-centric forms and motifs and elevates them while prioritizing technology. This spirit of forward thinking continues today, as Sonneman’s brand, renamed SONNEMAN – A Way of Light in 2003, works with LED bulbs to continue to push the boundaries of what functional lighting can achieve aesthetically.
Current-day releases by SONNEMAN – A Way of Light (still overseen by Sonneman himself) feature 95 percent LED lights and include interior and exterior lighting as well as modular suspended lights as an alternative to track lighting. Sonneman’s vintage pieces, however, are still widely collected on the secondary market.
Find vintage Robert Sonneman lighting on 1stDibs.
Color: Black
Creator: Robert Sonneman
Pair of Large Chrome Table Lamps by Robert Sonneman, USA, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in Miami, FL
Large chrome table lamps by Robert Sonneman from the 1960s.
Chrome has some age-related wear, please see all pictures. No rust.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Architectural Desk Lamp, Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in London, GB
A lovely example of Robert Sonneman Memphis design table/desk lamp. Matte black finish with thick glass top diffuser. Dimmable switch. Wonderful archi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage Robert Sonneman 3-Arm Triennale Orbiter Eyeball Adjustable Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage 3-arm floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman.
circa 1970s.
This lamp features three adjustable chrome orb light heads that pivot on balancing lever arms. A true classic and well-made lamp.
Tested and in great working condition. Includes bulbs.
Condition:
Good to very good vintage condition. Some general light...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Robert Sonneman Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Black and Chrome Floor Lamp, designed by Robert Sonneman, American, circa 1970s. It has been rewired and is ready to use.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Marble & Brass Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Stylish Art Deco triangular marble with detachable brass tube shaped lamp.
Has a small crack towards bottom as can be seen in photos.
In excellent working condition.
Additional info...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Bankers Lamp in Black, Brass and Glass by Robert Sonneman, Halogen
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Bankers style table lamp designed by Robert Sonneman, 1980s. Functions perfectly, halogen bulb included. Very few if any signs of use.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Postmodern Counterweight Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman, USA 1970-80s
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in Vorst, BE
Ingenious desk lamp with a counterweight mechanism which allows the lamp to be stable in every position. The spheric counterweight is solid steel and heavy enough to point or positio...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Orb Table Lamp on Black Base
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Robert Sonneman adjustable chrome globe desk lamp, Circa 1970. Featuring a heavy Black enameled rectangular base (5.5 x 8) with reflective, vent...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Iconic Saturn Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Great 1980's "Saturn" desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. In great vintage condition. Lamp looks great when turned on and has a dimmer switch to alter the intensity of the light.
Category
1980s American Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Modern Memphis Style Metal and Glass Vintage Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman, 1987
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Vienna, AT
The modern Memphis style metal and glass vintage table lamp was designed by Robert Sonneman 1987 and produced by George Kovacs, USA.
Furthermore the Memphis style table lamp was mad...
Category
1980s Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Reading Floor Lamp, 1990
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fully adjustable reading lamp in bronze enamel by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Lamp extends from 45 inches to 58 in height. This item...
Category
1990s American Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Robert Sonneman Post Modern Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Miami, FL
Post-Modern torchiere uplighter floor lamp rendered in powder coated and painted steel with geometric forms reminiscent of Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano designs, by Robert Sonneman.
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Robert Sonneman 3-Arm Adjustable Eyeball Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. Three adjustable arms with pivoting sockets allot for myriad configurations of form and function. All sockets function well. Chrome is...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Marble Column Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful black marble table lamp by Robert Sonneman. simple design goes with many styles. shade not included
Dimensions:
Height of t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Shade, 1970s
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs adjustable reading floor lamp. Featuring a tubular chromed steel stem, arm, knob, and ball socket, adjustable black enameled aluminum with wh...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome, Iron
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Box Head Table Lamp in Red
By Robert Sonneman, Kovacs
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs box head table lamp in red.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
VINTAGE Robert Sonneman Triennale Atomic Orbiter Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
Space age Robert Sonneman Triennale Atomic Orbiter floor lamp.
A very nice one is great condition. Style of Arredoluce.
Category
20th Century American Space Age Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Mid Century Modern Nickel and Copper Table Lamps by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Striking pair of burnished copper and nickel postmodern table lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Lamps have been rewired with brass fitting. Shades not included.
Category
20th Century American Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Copper, Nickel
Triennale Three-Arm Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Classic black and chrome Triennale model floor lamp by Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s. This example is in very fine, original and working condition, having three chrome arms which adju...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Black Minimalist Desk Lamp by Designer Robert Sonneman, '80s
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
A designer black desk, task, or nightstand table lamp/light, Minimalist design period, 1988. Lamp is by designer Robert Sonneman for Robert Kovacs maker. With designer and makers' ma...
Category
1980s American Minimalist Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sonneman Chrome Eyeball Articulating Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Hanover, MA
1960s articulating floor lamp by Robert Sonneman with chrome eyeball shade attached by an articulating joint to the long chrome stem at the base of whic...
Category
1960s American Space Age Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Adjustable Black and Chrome Triennale Floor Lamp by Sonneman Arredoluce Style
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fully adjustable sharp looking American vintage Classic alternative to Italian Arredoluce floor lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Chrome and White Glass Pendant Lamps by Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous pair of 1970s polish chrome and white glass pendant lamps by Sonneman. The lamps are chrome on the outside and black lacquer in the inside. A white glass cylinder covers ...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Eyeball Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Denton, TX
A desk or table lamp with black enamel finish task lighting label with Kovacs name.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Robert Sonneman 1980s "Art Tech" Pendant
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
A New York 1980s "Art-tech" ceiling light by famed lighting designer, Robert Sonneman. Original label. Rewired.
Bio:
Robert launched his own lighting company under the Sonneman brand in 1967. His products were featured in retailers such as Bloomingdales, Macys and many others.
In 1974 Robert founded Sonneman Design Group developing products for leading brands for the home including, Lightolier, Sunbeam Appliance, Singer, Stanley Furniture, Brueton, Goody Products, Lifetime Brands and others.
Since 1967 Robert's work has been displayed by the Museum of Modern Art, Chicago Art Institute, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, UCLA Exhibition on Design, Karnette County Art Museum and the Houston Contemporary Arts Museum.
Robert has participated and lectured at Stanford University, Pratt School of Architecture, Parsons School of Design, Philadelphia College of Art and UCLA. He was also a contributor on Chrysler and Toyota projects at the Art Center, Pasadena College of Design, and served on the Nissan Design Advisory Board.
In 1990, Sonneman again broke new ground for Stanley Furniture with his "Urban Primitive" collection for Macy's, a comprehensive program of home furnishings.
From 1999 to 2005 Robert served as president and CEO of Ralph Lauren Home Product Development.
In 2003 with partners David Littman and Sonny Park, Robert founded Sonneman - A Way of Light.
Robert Sonneman pioneered modern lighting making it an art form. World renowned and acclaimed for clean lines and alliance to form and function, his world famous award winning designs have been at the forefront of the design world for over four decades. Robert introduced sleek, new functionalist lighting...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Robert Sonneman Adjustable Chrome "Tail Pipes" Hanging Lamp, Circa 1970
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Robert Sonneman Chrome and Off-White Enameled Wind Chimes Hanging Pendant, Circa 1970. Featuring five staggered, variable, alternating and adjustable height Chrome tubes with ...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
1980s "Saturn" Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in West Reading, PA
This is a modern "Saturn" table lamp, designed in the 1980s by George Sonneman for George Kovacs.
The piece clearly takes its design cues from from the ringed planet of the same nam...
Category
1980s American Futurist Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Post Modern Memphis Sonneman Table Lamps for Kovacs
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of pewter toned metal table lamps with coned shades topped with patinaed brass finals matching the ball to the base and middle detail piece. Inside the shade is a frosted glas...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
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Iconic Robert Sonneman Chrome Atom Table Lamp! Space Age Molecule Lighting 1960s
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SONNEMAN!
SPACE AGE!
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ICONIC!
GREAT DESIGN! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
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Postmodern Halogen Desk Table Lamp 1980s
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H 13 in W 36 in D 8 in
Vintage Robert Sonneman Table Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 70s Robert Sonneman lucite and chrome table lamp. Has a swiveling lamp head to adjust angle of light. Normal wear for age. Has original Sonneman sticker. Includes bulb
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Floor Lamp in Midnight Chrome by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA, c. 1987
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Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a true American Modern masterpiece: a rare Post Modern floor lamp designed by the renowned Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Constructed from steel with a sultry midnight chrome finish this exceptional floor lamp swivels...
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H 43.5 in W 6 in D 9 in
Post Modern Memphis Style Table Lamp by George Kovacs for Sonneman ca. 1990
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Located in New York, NY
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Please view the companion desk...
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H 23 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Mid-Century Robert Sonneman Style Cube Chrome Desk Lamp
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Located in Esperance, NY
Very nice simple cube chrome desk lamp.
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Art Deco Marble Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A geometric design, the marble cubes are alternated with balls, all of deeply veined Italian marble. Circa 1935
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Previously Available Items
1980s "Saturn" Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in West Reading, PA
This is a modern "Saturn" table lamp, designed in the 1980s by George Sonneman for George Kovacs.
The piece clearly takes its design cues from from the ringed planet of the same nam...
Category
1980s American Futurist Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
1980s Saturn Table Lamp Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Robert Sonneman Saturn table lamp for George Kovacs.
The Saturn halogen table lamp inspiration from the ringed planet; feature...
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1980s Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Robert Sonneman Eyeball Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Sonneman eyeball floor lamp c.1960s, USA. The lamp features a chrome sphere shade on a pivoting arm that can be adjusted to multiple...
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Vintage Chrome Eyeball Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in West Reading, PA
This is an original chrome Eyeball Orb Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman, United States, c.1960's
The lamp is adjustable and the head can pivot. Its in excellent condition with no dents...
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1960s American Space Age Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
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Pair of Black and Chrome Floor Lamps by Kovacs
By Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960s pair of polish chrome and black textured powder coated reading floor lamps design by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. Newly rewired, On/Off rotating switch on shade.
It takes a reg...
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1980s Robert Sonneman Postmodern Table Lamp
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Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s for Kovacs. This lamp definitely draws from Memphis design but balances itself w/ muted greys and metal.
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Metal
1980s Robert Sonneman Table Lamp for Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s lamp w/ a lovely Memphis-style design. Made by George Kovacs.
Category
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
1960s Robert Sonneman Chrome Ball Pendant
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A modernist 1960s round chrome pendant by Robert Sonneman. This pendant plugs into the wall and has a cord switch to turn it on and off. Since thi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
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Pair of Mid-century Modern Robert Sonneman Molecule Lamps
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pair of vintage Robert Sonneman “molecule” table lamps feature four chrome stacked spherical lights to create the molecule look. These lamps have some w...
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Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
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Postmodern Sonneman for Kovacs Two Light Anglepoise Halogen Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman, Kovacs
Located in New York, NY
Voguish 1980's chic architectural two arm angle poise floor lamp in graphic black finish. The lamp features two adjustable arms, ( each 34 in. W ) with cone form head ( 4 in. Dia. ), also adjustable in position to direct the light. Designed by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Lighting, circa 1980's, marked on verso. Iconic late 20th C design...
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Chrome 3 Light Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy, ca. 1970
By Koch & Lowy, Robert Sonneman
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Chrome 3 light floor lamp by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy, ca. 1970. Classic 3 arm chrome floor lamp with fully articulating can light shades that pivot in any direction. Heavy ir...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
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Vintage Robert Sonneman Oversized Chrome Lamp with Black Conical Shade
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarcely seen Robert Sonneman model number 8003 large floor lamp in chrome-plated steel with a black enameled aluminum conical shade and enameled steel handle (ca. 1965, USA).
Both ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
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Robert Sonneman furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Robert Sonneman furniture 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 Robert Sonneman furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Robert Sonneman were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Koch & Lowy, Gerald Thurston, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. Prices for Robert Sonneman furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,550.