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: Mid-20th Century
Creator: Robert Sonneman
Minty! White Sonneman Desk Table Lamp Articulating Gooseneck 1970 Rare Lighting
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Peoria, AZ
Minty!
Stunning White & Black
Sonneman Articulating
Desk/Table Lamp
Circa 1970
This is a magnificent example of the iconic articulating desk lamp by Sonneman! The large oversize...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Iconic Robert Sonneman Chrome Atom Table Lamp! Space Age Molecule Lighting 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Peoria, AZ
SONNEMAN!
SPACE AGE!
CHROME TOWER
"MOLECULE" TABLE LAMP!
ICONIC!
GREAT DESIGN! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
CIRCA 1967
DIMENSIONS: HEIGHT 33 "
This super rare Sonneman chrome table lamp...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Sonneman for Kovacs Steel and Chrome Cubist Floor Lamp in Red, 1950s
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Mid Century Modern cubist floor lamp. Designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Designed and produced in the 1950s. Base is made out of either s...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Cut Steel, Chrome, Iron
Mid Century Modern Chrome Floor Lamp with 3 Globes Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern floor lamp by Koch & Lowy features original chrome finish, three adjustable globes with their own switches, fully functional vintage wiring, and round chrome ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Modern Floor Lamp with Black White & Red Globes
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Freehold, NJ
This vintage triennial floor lamp by Robert Sonneman features three painted globes (Red, white, black) each with its own chrome balancing arm and light switch. Globes pivot.
Lever ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sonneman Chrome Articulating Arm Eyeball Table Lamp! Swing Counterweight 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Peoria, AZ
STUNNING!
ROBERT SONNEMAN
CHROME ARTICULATING
COUNTERWEIGHT LAMP!
RARE DESIGN!
CIRCA 1960
DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 13" high BY 36" wide (in extended horizontal position)
Her...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Post-Modern Molecule Table Lamp in Chrome by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Diego, CA
A fantastic post-modern molecule table lamp in chrome by Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s. The three bulb lamp is in very good vintage condition and measure...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Large Chrome Table Lamps by Robert Sonneman, USA, 1960s
By Sonneman Lighting, Robert Sonneman
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
Robert Sonneman Orbiter Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Mateo, CA
Adjustable floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. The arc portion rotates 360 degrees. The straight arm adjusts the shade up and down as well as side to side. This makes an excellen...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Iron
Set of Palle Suenson Side Table in Solid Teak with Edward Wormley Armchairs
By Robert Sonneman, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Palle Suenson, side table, teak, Denmark, c. 1940
Striking Scandinavian Modern side table by Danish architect and designer Palle Suenson (1904-1987). This particular table is spec...
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Multi-Adjustable Robert Sonneman Wall Mounted Orbitor Reading Lamp
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in Paris, FR
Arcing swivel and tilt counter balanced wall mounted task or reading lamp.
Robert Sonneman design for Sonneman lighting.
Horizontal shaft is 39.37" long, arc measures 17.7" deep ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Robert Sonneman White Three-Arm Orbiter Floor Lamp with Marble Base, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fantastic 1960s Robert Sonneman “orbiter" three-arm floor lamp with rare white enameled globes and counterweights and white marble base.
Original finish on this minimalist mid-cen...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Copper, Metal, Enamel, Chrome
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Double Headed Cube Lamp, circa 1970s
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs double headed cube lamp. For desk or table. Iconic enameled cube shades that are adjustable in many angles to present light where desired. Affixed o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Robert Sonneman Molecule Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 8 light Robert Sonneman chrome orb molecule chandelier.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Space Age Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Robert Sonneman Cityscape Brutalist Brushed Steel Chandelier Vintage Midcentury
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Robert Sonneman cityscape brutalist brushed steel chandelier. This stunning chandelier is a great showcase of brutalist design in a lightin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel
Sonneman Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Robert Sonneman Mid-Century Modern articulated desktop table lamp with white enamled spherical shade upon a white-painted wooden base. Measures : 18.8" H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Style Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman (American, XX) style table lamp, having three chrome ball shades on adjustable arms pivot atop marble base. Measures: 36.5" H x 24" W x 8" D.
D...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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
Chrome Right Angle Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Chromed Steel floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman, 1960s. The 90 degree angle provides for excellent lighting for reading or accent lighting. F...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Robert Sonneman Three-Light Chrome Table Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Sacramento, CA
Mid-Century Modern chrome table lamp by Robert Sonneman with three lights and original shade. In excellent condition, with wear typical for age and use.
Lamp measures 10" in diame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern L' Arc Lamp by Robert Sonneman Adjustable Height Rotational
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare, architectural arching lamp titled "L' Arc" designed by Robert Sonneman in 1974. An ingenious design where the lever and pulley system is adjusted by raising or lowering the counterweighted steel ball. The shade is designed to remain parallel to the floor regardless of how high or low the arc is adjusted and the floor lamp rotates...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Triennale Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three arm "Triennale" chrome floor lamp by Robert Sonneman. The three way switch works great. Each arm is adjustable with a tightening knob. This not often seen light shape is a clas...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Robert Sonneman Large Mixed Metal Cityscape Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large scale mixed metal cityscape chandelier by Robert Sonneman. Rare example consisting of alternating brass and polished aluminum plates bound b...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
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 Curvy Chrome Orbiter Wall Sconce Walnut Wall Mount, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: Cool curvy chrome orbiter white wall sconce walnut wall mount 1960s
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern chrome wall sconce by Robert Sonneman.
Sleek curved sconce attach...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Robert Sonneman Chrome Adjustable 'Arc' Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s Robert Sonneman floor lamp featuring an arching arm, which connects the chrome ball fixture to the stem - all supported by a painted-steel, circular base. The arm height is adj...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Box Head Table Lamp in Red
By Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Off White & Chrome Double Head Desk Lamp, C. 1970
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs enameled off white metal double box head table lamp. Featuring angled chrome arms, cubed enameled adjustable, rotating and pivoting off white ename...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
4 Space Age Chandeliers designed by Robert Sonneman for Luci Milano, Italy, 1970
By Luci Milano, Robert Sonneman
Located in Merida, Yucatan
4 Space Age Chandelier designed by Robert Sonneman for Luci Milano, Italy, 1970
It consists of a moulded glass globe and brass and steel hardware.
Priced i...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Brass
Robert Sonneman Atomic Table Lamp, 1950s, USA
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Miami, FL
Fun chrome atomic multi bulb table lamp from 1950s USA by Robert Sonneman.
Category
1950s Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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
Chrome and White Metal Minimalist Desk Lamp by Designer Robert Sonneman, 1970s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern / Minimalist articulating chrome & white metal desk lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. The counter balanced light, contr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Minimalist Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome, 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
Robert Sonneman Marble Base Table Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in East Hampton, NY
Adjustable metal and marble table lamp by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid Century Modern Vintage Chrome Floor Lamp attr. Robert Sonneman, 1960s, USA
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage chromed floor lamp attributed to Robert Sonneman, which shows six turnable globes.
The vintage floor lamp has six E 14 sockets and on/off button.
Very goo...
Category
1960s American Space Age Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
1960s Robert Sonneman Massive Fluorescent Tube Table Lamp , USA
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Rare huge , minimalist modern thick extruded aluminium table lamp by Robert Sonneman.
Solid, well made with prime quality material and hardware .
There is an up and down play of ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Chrome Floor lamp/table by Robert Sonneman--1960s USA
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Chrome Floor lamp with glass table. Robert Sonneman USA 1960s.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century 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 Seven-Light Chrome Tiered Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in East Hampton, NY
Robert Sonneman seven-light chrome tiered chandelier. There is movement and illumination in this beautiful chandelier.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Sonneman Chrome and White Enamel Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
Very sculptural floor lamp by Robert Sonneman. Has layers of white metal shading to baffle the bulb, resulting in very atmospheric lighting.
Category
1960s American Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome, Enamel, 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
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Box Head Table Lamp in White
By Robert Sonneman, Kovacs
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs box head table lamp in white.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Larger Pair Robert Sonneman Chrome "Orbiter" Floor Lamps, Circa 1970
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic pair of Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Orbiter Floor Lamps. Featuring Chrome-Plated Steel arches, adjustable swing arms, Black metal handles and Black rimmed Chrome Glob...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
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.