Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Robert Sonneman
Robert Sonneman Kovacs Mid Century Modern Modernist Chrome Floor Lamp Torchiere
By Robert Sonneman, Kovacs
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
This beautiful and minimalist floor lamp was designed by Robert Sonneman and manufactured by Kovacs. The lamp is made of high-quality chrome and is heavy and well-made. It consists o...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Midcentury Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and dynamic Mid-Century Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Floor Lamp in Chrome by Robert Sonneman originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a slender composit...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Robert Sonneman 1970 Modernist Eyeball Floor Lamp In Polished Chrome Steel
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman.
An exceptional iconic floor lamp, created in America by Robert Sonneman, back in the 1970. This amazing half-spheres floor lamp was...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Robert Sonneman Chrome Triennale Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Beautiful adjustable chrome floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. This piece features three counterbalance arms with pivoting cylindrical shades that allow for a range of configura...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Rare, tall floor lamp in the style of Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
Rare, tall floor lamp in the style of Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s. Five curved branches radiate from the central cylinder in a helix and each ends in a globe bulb. The lamp is opera...
Category
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Sonneman for Kovacs Steel and Chrome Cubist Floor Lamp in Red, 1950s
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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 Floor Lamps
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 Floor Lamps
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
1970s L shaped brass floor lamp with two lights
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Rare floor lamp attributed to Robert Sonneman. This light very seldom comes up for sale. The lamp has a halogen bulb on top which, I have replaced with a LED, and a fluorescent bulb ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Metal
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Carrara Marble, Copper, Metal, Enamel, Chrome
Robert Sonneman Iron & Chrome Orb Floor Lamp for George Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Sonneman iron & chrome orb floor lamp for George Kovacs.
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Mo...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Iron
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
1990s Robert Sonneman George Kovacs Gray Pharmacy Library Reading Floor Lamp 60"
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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 Floor Lamps
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Lighting 1987 Silver Finish Floor Lamp America
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant adjustable Steel floor lamp in Silver Finish from the 1987 designed by Robert Sonneman and made by George Kovacs Lighting.
Uses a Halogen bulb with max. 40 watts.
Comes with ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel, Iron
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Triennale Mid Century Modern Orbiter 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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, 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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome, Iron
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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel, 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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel, Chrome
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman, circa 1970, American
By Sonneman Lighting, Robert Sonneman
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Lamp in polished metal has nine lights two vertical followed by one horizontal repeated three times with a "on off dimmer" switch just above the base.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Rare Robert Sonneman Atomic Three Eye Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Robert Sonneman floor lamp with three eye sockets. Each socket has its own independent switch and the head swivel up and down and side to side to be di...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
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 Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Robert Sonneman Adjustable White Floor Lamps
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
A pair of white metal and chrome floor lamps with adjustable shade and arm. USA, circa 1970. Made by Robert Sonneman. Priced as two (2) floor lamps.
Dimensions:
54.5 inch height
9...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Black and Chrome Triennale Floor Lamp by Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
This is the American answer to the classic Italian "Triennale" floor lamp for Arredoluce. The arms (each 36" L) pivot and tilt to adjust the direction of the light. Each arm has a ch...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Sonneman Minimalist Chrome Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Chrome tubular floor lamp by Sonneman. USA, circa 1970. On /off switch on stem; round base.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Sonneman Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
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Robert Sonneman floor lamps for sale on 1stDibs.
Robert Sonneman floor lamps 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 floor lamps, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original floor lamps 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 floor lamps by Koch & Lowy, Gerald Thurston, and Laurel Lamp Company. Prices for Robert Sonneman floor lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $800 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,913.