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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.

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Period: 1990s
Creator: Robert Sonneman
Post Modern Memphis Style Table Lamps
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lighting designer Robert Sonneman designed architectural and decorative lighting that captures contemporary American living. The metal cone shade and geometric brass finishes of these post modern lamps...
Category

1990s North American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

1980s Memphis Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Conic 20” Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a sculptural chandelier by world renowned architectural and Industrial designer Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, circa the 1987. This clean-lined chandelier...
Category

1990s North American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture

Materials

Metal

1990s Robert Sonneman George Kovacs Gray Pharmacy Library Reading Floor Lamp 60"
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1990s Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs adjustable height pharmacy / library or reading floor lamp in grey. 15” x 6.25” x 49.5” / height adjustable to 59.5" (width x depth...
Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture

Materials

Metal

Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Reading Floor Lamp, 1990
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
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 for George Kovacs Cast Iron Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing cast iron 3 way floor lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs cast iron table lamp. Features three large bent rods forming the body.
Category

1990s American Minimalist Robert Sonneman Furniture

Materials

Iron

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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.

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