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.
Modern American Pendant Colored Metal Chandelier
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Robert Sonneman Mother Pearl tube Cathedral chandelier Total height cm 100 Perfectly working This artwork, never before on the market,...
Metal
Sonneman Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Astoria, 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...
Metal
Sonneman Table Lamp Chrome & Lucite Mid Century Modern Space Age
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1960s-70s Mid Century Modern curved lucite and chrome ball table lamp. Adjustable angle chrome ball. Good vintage condition, chrome and lucite look good but so show age. Original wir...
Chrome
Moroccan Moorish Metal Lantern with Clear and Colored Glass
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan glass pendant with clear and colored glass, square shape with towers and a dome with metal filigree. This multi-color Moroc...
Metal
$9,440
H 32 in Dm 26 in
Italian Modern Neoclassical Glass Chandelier by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
An elegant, sober Italian midcentury pendant / chandelier designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte in the Modern Neoclassical Style (Novecento) with six fluted arms in enameled met...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Glass and Brass Pendant Light Lantern
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wonderful design and cool looking midcentury ceiling lamp. The total height including chain and ceiling plate is:26" - 66 cm.
Brass
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 59 in Dm 12 in
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...
Metal, Chrome
Stan Bitters Ball Lamp, Spray Metal, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 2017
By Stan Bitters
Located in Berlin, DE
This ball lamp in spray metal is handmade by Stan Bitters. Warm light soaks through the different openings. One Model A / E27 Bulb 40 watts. To be on the safe side, the lamp should b...
Metal
Robert Sonneman Saturn Desk Table Lamps Pair
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Metal
$350
H 19 in W 23 in D 6 in
Vintage Robert Sonneman Mid Century Modern Black Eyeball Adjustable Desk Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Robert Sonneman Mid Century Modern Black Eyeball Adjustable Desk Task Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19" H x 23" W x 6" D. (Location: Section 1) Standard antiqu...
Metal
Rare & Stylish Mid-Century Modern Glass & Metal Lined Pendant / Ceiling Lamp
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Lisse, NL
Timeless and good size mid-century pendant. This rare ceiling lamp from the mid-century era could be the perfect lighting solution for an entrance or any other small living space. T...
Metal
Italian Midcentury Glass Chandelier, Pendant by Luigi Fontana
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern green glass pendant, lantern by Luigi Fontana. The fixture is divided into 3 triangular glass sections. Each section features a single brass stem ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Venini Attributed Murano Chandelier
By Barovier&Toso, Mazzega, Barovier, Venini
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern Venini attributed Murano chandelier. Mid-Century Modern Venini attributed Murano glass chandelier. This unusual Murano glass chandelier, lantern or pendant has be...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 16 in D 16 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Sonneman Era 1970s Brass & Walnut
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Peoria, AZ
GORGEOUS! SLEEK DANISH MODERN WALNUT & BRASS DESIGNER TABLE LAMP AFTER SONNEMAN LINEN SHADE! ( DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 34" TALL 16" WIDE ) Here is a wonderful minimalist Danish Mod...
Metal, Brass
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...
Metal, Chrome