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.
Triennale Mid Century Orbiter Black and Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Triennale floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman circa 1970's. This versatile piece features three adjustable chrome orb light heads that pivot on balancing lever arms. Globe light bulbs...
Metal, Chrome
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Eyeball Floor Lamp in Orange Finish c 1970's
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in New York, NY
Cool post modern eyeball floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. The lamp features a ball shade which pivots, and tilts to direct the light, it accepts a standard s...
Metal
Robert Sonneman Steel and Brass Lamp
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
Robert Sonneman steel and brass lamp. Handsome late 20th century steel and brass table lamp or desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. This unusual lamp is geometr...
Brass, Steel
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.
Brass, Steel
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...
Chrome, Metal
Robert Sonneman Molecule Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 8 light Robert Sonneman chrome orb molecule chandelier.
Chrome
$640Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Steel
Robert Sonnemen Brass and Chrome Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
1970s Robert Sonnemen brass and chrome chandelier, signed.
Brass, Chrome
Modern Robert Sonneman Chrome and Brass Table Lamp, circa 1970s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
A '70s Modern Robert Sonneman designed rectangular chrome and brass desk or table lamp, circa 1970s. Chrome with brass stripe down front and back; lamp is marked 'Sonneman' on lower ...
Chrome, Brass
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Robert Sonneman Swivel Lucite Eyeball Vanity Table Lamp Light Makeup Mirror
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Wayne, NJ
Robert Sonneman magnifier Lucite eyeball mirror vanity table lamp makeup swivel.
Other
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 ...
Chrome
Sonneman for Kovacs Steel and Chrome Cubist Floor Lamp in Red, 1950s
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Delray 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...
Cut Steel, Chrome, Iron
Robert Sonneman "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Modernist sheet steel and brass fixture, by Robert Sonneman. Large and impressive.
1970's Robert Sonneman Chrome Table Lamp
By Robert Sonneman, Sonneman Lighting
Located in Hanover, MA
Space Age 1970’s mod vertical tubular chrome table lamp with eight Edison screw lightbulbs. Shown with half-chrome and clear round glass globe bulbs but also looks glamorous with oth...
Chrome, Stainless Steel
Robert Sonneman Counter Balance Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mid-century 1970s vintage counter balance arm adjustable floor lamp by Robert Sonneman. This classic modern floor lamp is a result of the long-time rel...
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...
Steel
Iconic Sonneman Orbiter Floor Lamp Early Version
By Sonneman Lighting, Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional mid century, post modern, space age style floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman, for the Sonneman Lighting Co. circa 1960's. The lamp features an adjustable arc arm, th...
Steel, Chrome
$1,275 / set
H 69 in W 15 in D 15 in
Pair 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps! Both in overall great condition as seen. Message with questions.
Metal, Iron
Chrome and Black Floor lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960’s three polish chrome and black lacquered floor lamp by Robert Sonneman. Newly rewire, with new rotating switch. It takes three 75w max Edison light bulbs. Wired for US. Dim...
Chrome
Robert Sonneman Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sonneman chrome plated steel floor lamp. Lamp measures 18" wide, 18" deep and 65" high. Base is 10" diameter. We had the shade professionally relined. Shade measures 12" wide, 12" de...
Steel
Five-Globe Shades Mid-Century Modern Light Fixture Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chrome milk glass globes Mid-Century Modern light fixture.
Chrome
Table Lamp in Brass and Glass, 1950's
By Lyfa
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Table Lamp in Brass and Glass, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Lyfa in Denmark Dimensions (W x D x H): 37 x 37 x 4...
Brass
$840Sale Price|20% Off
H 71.5 in W 8 in D 10 in
Robert Sonnomen for George Kovacs, White Enamel Post Modern Halogen Floor lamp.
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Lighting Torchiere floor lamp. White enamel over metal, halogen lighting element with glass cover. Rectangular shaped ste...
Metal, Enamel
Adjustable Mid-Century Modernist Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
This adjustable floor lamps by the noted designer Robert Sonneman features a base in textured black enamel steel with an adjustable chrome stem with a chrome ball fitted for a Classi...
Enamel, Chrome
Art Deco Marble & Brass Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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...
Marble
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...
Chrome
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...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 23 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Post Modern Memphis Style Table Lamp by George Kovacs for Sonneman ca. 1990
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated Post Modern, Memphis School candlestick form table lamp, designed by George Kovacs, for Robert Sonneman, ca.1990's. The lamp has a cone form shade ( 7.5 in. Dia. ) with decorative ball finial, on a slender center post, with a square ( 5 x 5 in. ) base. Gray finish with mat brass decorative trim elements. The lamp accepts a standard size halogen bulb, and still retains its original glass disk form diffuser. It is in very clean, original, and working condition, fully and correctly marked on verso, as shown. Please view the companion desk...
Metal
Sold
H 16 in W 13.5 in D 6.5 in
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Memphis Style Desk Table Bankers Lamp C. 1990
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in New York, NY
Rare bankers lamp form, Post Modern, Memphis School, desk lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs circa 1990. The base is of two tone metal, silver gray, with mat finish b...
Metal
Robert Sonneman Chrome Orbital Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Spectacular chrome "orbiter" floor lamp by Robert Sonneman. A wonderful reading light with easily adjustable small chrome ball head and counter balance arm. Switch is perfectly placed mid cord for simple on/off control at your fingertips. Retains original labeling. Photographed with Herman Miller Eames DCM...
Metal
Postmodern Sonneman for Kovacs Two Light Anglepoise Halogen Floor Lamp
By Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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...
Metal
Sold
H 2 in W 32 in D 17 in
Multi Adjustable Robert Sonneman Wall Mounted Orbitor Task or Reading Lamp
By Sonneman Lighting, Robert Sonneman
Located in Ferndale, MI
Arcing swivel and tilt counter balanced wall mounted task or reading lamp. Robert Sonneman design for Sonneman lighting. Horizontal shaft is 32" long, arc measures 17 deep and 17 tal...
Chrome
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.
Steel
Rare Robert Sonneman Post Modern Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare Robert Sonneman post-modern floor lamp recently refurbished by The Somerset House. This light gives off a radiant and warm glow created by the three sculpted metal shades. The finish was originally chrome updated to a professionally powder-coated creme...
Metal
Sold
H 84 in W 116 in D 16 in
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...
Aluminum, Steel