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
Pair of Modern Flowers Sputnik Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Large contemporary Sputnik chandelier composed of precious hand blown Murano flowers art glasses with clear and white color. Available also a pair. Chromed steel spherical frame,...
Blown Glass
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
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
$2,750
H 23 in Dm 13 in
Italian Mid-century Modern Glass and Brass Chandelier / Pendant by Luigi Fontana
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant, Stylish and Functional Italian Mid-Century Modern green glass pendant or lantern by Luigi Fontana. The fixture promotes a clean, forward looking aesthetic while delivery ...
Brass
Arts & Crafts Forget and Colored Glass Pendant Lobby Lamp, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Forget and colored glass pendant lamp. Materials: Colored glass Black painted curved iron slats pleated as a cage. Metal chain and canopy. E27 socket. Original patina on all parts...
Art Glass
$8,275 / item
H 18 in Dm 16 in
Bespoke Italian Gun Metal Crystal Murano Glass Flush Mount / Drum Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Italian Art Deco Design customizable round chandelier/pendant of drum shape, entirely handcrafted, with a dark steel colored pewter metal finish. The nicely scalloped ai...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$7,990
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...
Metal, Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Venini Attributed Murano Chandelier
By Barovier, Venini, Barovier&Toso, Mazzega
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
American Wrought Iron Scrolled Wire Work Chandelier. Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron eight light chandelier with decorative scrolled wire work, pierced decorative bobaches, and terminating on centered tapered iron ball finial. Mid 19th Century....
French Lunel 1950s Mid Century Pendant Chandelier
By Maison Lunel
Located in New York, NY
An original 1950s French pendant light in golden brass and matte black enamel with 3 large matte white glass shades. Made by the famed light...
Brass, Enamel
$2,554 / item
H 39.38 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Brass Jugendstil Glass Tubes Pendant Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Early 20th century brass Pende edition by Woka Lamps with handmade glass-tubes Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label ou...
Brass
$1,795
H 24 in Dm 15 in
1 French Mid-Century Modern White Enamel Metal & Glass Pendants in Mategot Style
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
1 French Mid-Century Modern white enameled metal pendant / lantern fixture / chandelier with a luminescent bowl of holophane glass. Subtle, yet functional lighting when lit. Height i...
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
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