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.
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 ...
Metal, Chrome
Robert Sonneman Cityscape Modern Wall Light Sconce Mid Century 30"w x 15"h
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Brushed Metal "Cityscape" Wall Light or Sconce, designed by Robert Sonneman, American, circa 1960s.
Metal
Adjustable Table Light by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in NYC, NY
A pair of lamps with a rectangular black base with pivoting arms ending in a lacquered black globe head with a black counter balance at the other end-well suited for as desk or bedside reading lamps.
Metal
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...
Stainless Steel, 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
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconce
Located in Rome, IT
This wall-mounted sconce exemplifies Italian design from the 1950s, featuring a minimalist yet functional aesthetic. The fixture is composed of a single opaline glass sphere that dif...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconces
Located in Rome, IT
This pair of mid-century modern wall sconces exemplifies the elegance and innovation of 1950s Italian design. Each sconce features a frosted opaline glass shade, elegantly suspended ...
Metal, Brass
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Orbit Chandelier, 1987
By Robert Sonneman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting and elegant chandelier by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1987. Very well constructed, brass, glass, exposed wiring...
Robert Sonneman 3-Arm Adjustable Eyeball Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. Three adjustable arms with pivoting sockets allot for myriad configurations of form and function. Chrome is good condition for age. Wil...
Metal
$1,695Sale Price|43% Off
H 16 in W 40 in D 6 in
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 ...
Aluminum
$3,517
H 66.93 in W 50.39 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Space Age Model Orbiter Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Hamburg, DE
Counterweight standing lamp after a design by the American designer Robert Sonneman from the 1960s. Here in the execution of the Italian manufacturer Luci. An elegant design of high...
Metal
$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
$750
H 15.5 in W 14.5 in D 5.5 in
Stunning Murano Glass Sconce Wall Light, Mid-Century Modern Italy Mazzega 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This large, mid-20th-century Murano glass wall light is an outstanding example of Italian craftsmanship. A beautifully textured glass panel is mounted on a solid iron frame. The scul...
Metal
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.
Sold
H 14.5 in W 6.13 in D 6.75 in
Vintage Mid Century Silver Chrome Wall Sconce Lights by Sonneman, 1970s
By Sonneman Lighting, Robert Sonneman
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of large, vintage mid century modern silver chrome wall sconce lights by Robert Sonneman are circa 1970. The unique, minimalist design features a simple, center cylinder tu...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 14.5 in W 38.5 in D 4 in
Robert Sonneman Chrome Orbiter Wall Mounted Sconce Mid Century Modern Vintage
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Sleek and modern, this Robert Sonneman Chrome Orbiter Wall Mounted Sconce combines utility with style. The unique design features a chrome fini...
Chrome
Chrome Cube Table Lamp / Sconce by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Denton, TX
Hard to find mid century wall sconce the can also be used as a table spot light. Chrome with black mounting bracket make this very versatile.
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 19 in W 43 in D 5.5 in
Contemporary Modern Pair of Robert Sonneman Orbital Articulating Wall Lamps
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern contemporary pair of Robert Sonneman Orbital articulating wall lamps. An amazing set of wall lamps from the great work of Robert Sonneman. This very unique pair of wall lamp...
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
George Kovacs Post Modern Geometric Floor Lamp Sconces by Sonneman, 1987
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of geometric slender post modern floor lamps. The base is a pyramid, both faces of the diffuser are polished nickel with a white enamel interior. These are great as floor lamp...
Enamel, Nickel
Pair Chrome Bracket Sconces by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy
By Koch & Lowy, Robert Sonneman
Located in Hanover, MA
We have a pair of polished chrome 'wall tree' bracket sconces designed by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy in 1972 (see original catalog images). Three cubes (4" x 4" x 7") each hold ...
Chrome, Aluminum
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...
Chrome
Feather on a Wall Lamp Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1980s
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Den Haag, NL
Design: Sonneman Design Group, "Feather on a Wall" Lamp Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Very nice condition lamp Perfect working condition ! This contemporary wall lamp features a simple but striking profile, making this a well sought after "Robert Sonneman Design" The thin support column on an articulating wall mount adjusts with complete vertical and horizontal movement. Combined On/off and high/low in a single switch on the base of the wall mount arm...
Plastic
Adjustable Chrome Wall Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s adjustable polish chrome ‘Orbiter’ wall lamp by Robert Sonneman. The lamp has an on/off in line switch and takes a small GE 120v 40w max ligh...
Chrome
Sold
H 7.5 in W 4 in D 6.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Sonneman Small White Metal Wall Sconces, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a sweet, little pair of metal wall sconces, circa the 1960s. In very good condition. The dimensions of each are 4" W x 6.5" D x 7.5" H.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Wall Sconce Attributed to Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Mid-Century Modern chrome wall sconce attributed Robert Sonneman. Beautifully curved sconce attached to the wall with a solid walnut wall mount. Everything ...
Steel, Chrome