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.
Post Modern Robert Sonneman Demi-Lune Console and Mirror Entry Table
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Postmodern Demi Lune. Uniquely fun and geometric, this wrought iron base adds a graphic and airy layer to any space with the clear glass top. Top is...
Steel
Pair of English Demi-lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th century English demi-lune oak console tables. 1840. Internal reference: H Code: 9172 Dimensions: W: 46.5" (118.1 cm) H: 29" (73.7 cm) D: 22.5" (57.2 cm)
Oak
Pair of Swedish Demi-lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of early 19th century Swedish pine demi-lune console tables with later distressed paint. 1820. Internal reference: C Code: 8882 Dimensions: W: 47" (119.4 cm) H: 30" (76.2 c...
Pine
Swedish Rustic Antique Wooden Demi-Lune Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish single wooden demi-lune table from the early 20th century. This nicely-sized antique table from Sweden has a semi-circular, or half moon top, with a small area at the back ...
Wood
19th Century Swedish White Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, Gustavian demi-lune side tables or consoles with gently tapered legs and decorative egg and dart carving along skirt. Newer professionally applied layered antique white painted...
Wood, Paint
Demi-lune Console Table in Gustavian Style, Sweden
Located in Kastrup, DK
Demi-lune table in Gustavian style featuring a black-painted top and a light gray-painted base. The apron includes two drawers with fluted fronts and elegant brass knobs. The legs a...
Brass
19th Century Italian Walnut Demi Lune Console Table
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This console is of a classic design. Made for centuries and perfected by local artisans. The proportions are unusual but work beautifully together. In particular the one piece walnut...
Walnut
$3,800
H 33 in W 30 in D 14 in
Demi Lune Adams Style Satin Wood Console Cabinet Dresser Server Entry Chest Bar
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Demi Lune Adams Style Satin Wood Console Cabinet Dresser Server Entry Chest Bar
Satinwood
Late 18thC Adam Period Demi-lune Console Table
By Robert Adam
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality late 18thC Adam period demi-lune console table; the entire table is painted a cream colour, the four shaped and tapered legs decorated with gilded wood fillets; the frieze is fluted all round with large gilded patterae above each leg. The painted top has an outer green banding decorated with garlands of flowers and gilding, the back of the painted top has a neoclassical fresco; depicting a classically draped winged Goddess surrounded by cherubs, flowers and scrolling, in the manner of Angelica Kaufmann...
Pine
Swedish Painted Demi-lune Console Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th century Swedish decorated oak demi-lune console table. 1820. Code: 9237 Dimensions: W: 42" (106.7 cm) H: 29.5" (74.9 cm) D: 21" (53.3 cm)
Oak
1920's Carved Wood Chinese Demi-lune/Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1920's carved wood Chinese demi-lune/console table with beautifully curved design and intricate wood carvings along the apron including flora...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 73 in W 33 in D 12 in
Italian Entry Console Marble Table and Brass Wall Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Neoclassical style brass base and marble top entry console table. Matching brass mirror. Dimension for he mirror is : H; 35.5 W; 23 D; 6 dimension for...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$2,010
H 30 in W 42 in D 21 in
1990 Post Modern Demi-Lune Hall Table Designed by Kaiser Newman in Beech
By Kaiser Newman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted by Kaiser Newman in 1990, this Demi-Lune Hall Table is a timeless design in stunning Beech wood. Its elegant curve and clean lines add a touch of sophistication to any entryw...
Glass