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Modern Lighting

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Firmamento Milano Pillola Table Lamp by Parisotto and Formenton Architetti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Please note that VAT is not included in the price. Elegant interior lamp designed as an essential element that creates an evocative light of great comfort. A matte ball of simple and pure form, cut in two perfect halves that diffuse reflected and discreet light. The project line is the essentiality that shapes both the aesthetics and the lighting effect. The light is spread from inside the ball, reflected on the inner shell of the dome and spread on the surface of the table on which it is placed. Designed for the living, its light gives a great atmosphere to the home. The unit features a dimmer enabling custom quality and intensity light. Aldo Parisotto and Massimo Formenton graduated in architecture from the IUAV of Venice. In 1990 they founded their own design firm P+F Parisotto+Formenton Architetti. Their research is oriented towards a range of different design themes, through which they have developed wide experience on both the national and international levels. In the design field they developed a collaboration with leading furniture and lighting companies such as cc-tapis, FontanaArte, Mingardo, Minotti Cucine. In the yacht sector the studio worked for Sanlorenzo, Cantiere del Pardo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Stunning Italian Alabaster Sphere Offset Table Lamp, in polished brass
Located in Milano, IT
The Offset table lamp is a stunning piece that exudes elegance and sophistication. The backlighting of the veined alabaster creates a magical and ethereal effect, reminiscent of a fu...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Table Lamp Vacune Model by Eleonore Peduzzi Riva for Artemide, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Table lamp in milky and transparent blown glass. Artemide production. Designed by Eleonore Peduzzi Riva in 1968. Biography Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva (born in Milan, 1939) is an Italian...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

'Akaari' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Akaari' Ceiling Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1980s. The Akaari pendant features three tiered glossy black diffusers. The bottom...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Murano Glass Modernist Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of petite Murano glass lamps made of all hand-blown glass elements from the island of Murano outside Venice, Italy. This pair features glass made with several different techniqu...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 ceiling lamps Italian manufacture 1970s
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The set of two Italian-made ceiling lights from the 1970s represents excellence in Italian design and craftsmanship of that era. . Their clean, geometric shape blends harmoniously in...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. Available also a ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

1980s Modernist Polychrome Murano Glass Cascade Chandelier by Mazzega
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An amazing polychrome cascade murano glass chandelier designed and manufactured in the Eighties in Venice by Mazzega. The polychrome murano glass resemble stalactites in their shape, they are in very good condition as the chromed metal structure because the chandelier came from an important lighting shop in...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modern 4 Arm Ruffled Glass Shades Brass Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Modern style brass plated steel four arm ruffled glass shades chandelier showcases modern elegance. The brass plated steel frame creates a sleek and stylish look, while the ruff...
Category

20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lugo, IT
Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani. Dual ignition Good Condition Thank you
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Repoussé Ji Guan Torchiere in Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ji Guan Torchiere Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative rel...
Category

2010s Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Claude Boeltz Exploded Bronze & 24-Karat Gold Sunburst Flush Mount Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and dramatic flush mount was hand crafted by the esteemed artist Claude Boeltz in France. It features an expressionistic sunburst pattern realized in two rows of explod...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
Located in Milan, IT
USA, 1960 circa Akari edition for Steph Simon Mulberry tree skin frame, paper and bamboo shade Availability: 1 Literature: similar examples reproduced in: Sam Hunter, "Isamu N...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

Pink Murano Glass Rope Frame Pendant Light by Barovier
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant, modern, Murano glass, pendant light by Barovier & Toso circa 1940-1950. A simple, linear design: translucent pink, twisted-rope stem and frame holding a flora bowl up-lig...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Very Elegant Cut Glass Pendant Chandelier for Kamenický Šenov, 1970´s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Czechoslovak cut glass and chrome plated ceiling light, made in the former Czechoslovakia for Kamenický Šenov in the 1970´s. It features chrome st...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Robert Sonneman (American, b. 1943) for George Kovacs Floor Lamp, 1988, white-painted steel, marked. 54" H x 10" Diameter.
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Lights
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling light realized in pure Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion. Available also with clear graniglia leaves. Amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This bea...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Pair of Italian Murano Glass Gold Leaves Modern Flush Mount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
Exclusive production with precious Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion, creating a fabulous light effect. Available also with ice color glasses. Frame; gold-plated or nickel. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Established & Sons Opaline Blue Audrey Pendant Light by Venini & Michael Eden
Located in London, GB
Michael Eden’s interpretation of ""Continuous Profile - Head of Mussolini, 1933"" using the profile of classic beauty, Audrey Hepburn is used for the Audr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Triple Trapeze Pendant by Jette Scheib
Located in Geneve, CH
Triple trapeze pendant by Jette Scheib Dimensions: 37.5 x 152 x 28 cm (Ø) (cord length: 300 cm) A chrome version is also avail...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

Italian Glass Chandelier from 1970's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exceptional Italian chandelier from 1970's, in the manner of Angelo Mangiarotti works. Made of hundreds of Murano glass pieces interlaced with tr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Plisse Width Adjusting Suspension Lamp by Inga Sempe for Luceplan
Located in Chicago, IL
Plisse by Inga Sempe for Luceplan Adjustable-width suspension lamp. The double pantograph system permits easy extension from a minimum of 23.6 inches to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage 1970s Quadriedri Venini Glass Spiral Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous vintage quadriedri Venini glass spiral chandelier from 1970s. It is a beautiful cascading 6 tiered chandelier with clear quadriedri glass p...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Blue Murano Prism Chandelier with Golden Frame, 1980
Located in Rome, IT
Blue heavenly Murano chandelier made by Quadriedri crystal prism with a golden metal frame. Period: 1980s E 14 lamp holders suitable for the American electrical system. Perfect co...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cut Glass

Artemide Itka Table Light in White by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Magnificently simple and powerful, Naota Fukasawa’s Itka subtly but uniformly spreads light. Made of opaline frosted glass on a white lacquered metal base, the table lamp is LED and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Black and Orange Flower Stunning Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Striking contemporary Murano glass chandelier composed by dozens black orange and white hand blown flowers and by Galleria Veneziani. Available also a pair.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Glass Black Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Wonderful sputnik Murano chandelier with multiple smoked "Triedi" stems shooting out from a brushed nickel sphere. This piece is iconic and will be a show stopper in your home. This ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Chandelier by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Chandelier by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s. The light consists of four 0.5 cm thick glass plates in clear and smoked glass, whi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Contemporary Black and Orange Flower Stunning Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Striking contemporary Murano glass chandelier composed by dozens black and orange hand blown flowers by Galleria Veneziani. Available also a pair.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

New Ralph Lauren Nickel Montauk Pendant Light Fixture with Canopy
Located in Miami, FL
New Ralph Lauren nickel Montauk pendant fight fixture with canopy and tags Offered for sale is a never used new Ralph Lauren polished nickel Montauk pendant light fixture with canopy that we acquired in the original box and wrapping. The light retains the original Ralph Lauren tags...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Butterfly 40 contemporary pendant Lamp, art Silvered Glass, white color, Brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Since the beginning thanks to the Italian hand-made used in our workplace, each unique item is a testament to our commitment to craftsmanship, with attention to detail and the finest...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Modernist Feather Chandelier in Murano Smoked Topaz Glass and Oil Rubbed Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This refined and sophisticated chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the islands off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for their superlative quality glass production. It...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Lights
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling light realized in pure Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion. Available also with clear graniglia leaves. Amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This bea...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Pair of Blue Murano Prism Chandelier with Golden Frame, 1980
Located in Rome, IT
Blue heavenly Murano chandelier made by Quadriedri crystal prism with a golden metal frame. Period: 1980s E 14 lamp holders suitable for the American electrical system. Perfect co...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cut Glass

Pair of Graceful Italian Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Lights
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling lights realized in pure Murano glass large leaves with amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This beautiful ceiling light gives an elegant Ambience a speci...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

ModernistB rass Sputnik Chandelier w/ Hand Blown Translucent Murano Glass Discs
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic and graphic sputnik was realized in Murano, Italy- the islands off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for their superlative glass production. It features a weal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Floor Sample Petite Friture Medium Vertigo Nova Pendant Light
Located in Boston, MA
Designed By Constance Guisset Petite Friture and Constance Guisset, an inseparable duo with lofty ambitions, have started a new chapter of the Vertig...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

"Lightning Form" Snowflake Chandelier in Milk White Glass and Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This stunning "lightning form" modernist chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Brass Sculpted Light Suspension, My Queen IV, Signed Periclis Frementitis
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass sculpted light suspension - My Queen IV - Signed Periclis Frementitis Dimensions: 140 x 65 x 15 cm Materials: Sculpted brass, porcelain, LED bulbs. Limited Edition of 7 pieces...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

The Pearl Line by Ludovic Clément D'armont
Located in Geneve, CH
The Pearl Line by Ludovic Clément d'Armont Materials: blown glass, brass joints, LEDs Dimensions: D 12 x W 133 x H 37 cm The Pearl line is a simple architectural element that helps ...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modernist Handblown Murano Smoked Honey Glass Sputnik with Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This graphic and sophisticated Sputnik was hand blown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Jacopo Foggini Contemporary Modern Methacrylate Italian Pendant Lamp
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Gorgeous pendant lamp designed by the Italian designer Jacopo Foggini. Lamp model "Brilli C". Handcrafted in cast methacrylate in different red color shades, Italy.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plexiglass

Reggiani Italy Tiered Six Arm "Horn" Chrome Ceiling Lamp, 1970s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Smaller Italian Modern Reggiani chrome plated six arm "Trumpet" Hanging Lamp. Featuring six alternating, tiered height horns, six standard ceramic sockets shown with globe bulbs. Eac...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Huge Bras and Crystal Flush Mount Chandelier
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass frame gold-plated with cut crystal elements leafs and flowers decor. Fitted with 35(!) E14 sockets up to 60watts each. Made in Germany in the 1990s. Dimension 100cm (39.37") di...
Category

1990s German Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf, Brass

Modernist Four Tier Amethyst Handblown Murano Chandelier with Chrome Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This refined modernist chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a conical...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Emerald Green Glass Pendant Light Brass Pole Fitter Rewired
Located in New York, NY
Circa 20th Century German made bell shaped glass shade with a striking emerald color. This pendant light comes complete with a U.S.A. made brass pole fitter and canopy. The price inc...
Category

20th Century German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modernist Handblown Smoked Murano Glass Starburst Chandelier in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist Sputnik chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Crystal "Cometa" Chandelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal "Cometa" chandelier Dimensions: 100 height x 45 diameter cm Materials: crystal, brass A chandelier with polished brass structure. Refined brass chains at different heigh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

The Helix Chandelier
Located in Coral Gables, FL
The Helix chandelier is inspired by the Helix Nebula. The Helix Nebula has sometimes been referred to as the "Eye of God." In ancient art, design,...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Italian Murano Leave Flush Mount Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure Murano glass consists of an incredible number of leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. 18 lights spread a magical light. Available 3 of this Item. Measures: Diamet...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Aloys F. Gangkofner Glass and Chromed Steel Chandelier, Munich, 1970s
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier made of chromed steel with solid glass spheres arranged radially on thin rods. Aloys Gangkofner (1920 Reichenberg -2...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Glustin Luminaires Creation Brass Chandelier with Alabaster Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
New design by Glustin Luminaires, very elegant chandelier made of brass with tall alabaster sconce on each of the eight arms of light.  
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Mazegga Attributed Murano Swirl Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Vintage Italian chandelier attributed to the Iconic Mazzega factory on the island of Murano. Twelve bell like glass elements hang by chains from a gilt brass structure along with obl...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Barovier Et Toso Italian Murano Gold Dusted Glass Feather Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1940s) Murano gold dusted and textured glass chandelier with 12 large feather form arm emanating from a large internal light bowl base suspended by a 2-tier swir...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Italian Venetian Murano Gold Dusted Glass Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian Murano hand blown gold dusted 6 fluted arm chandeliers with flower bobeche & cup and three scroll arm supports rising from a 7th central light.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Vico Magistretti, Chandelier Model Saturno, Venini, Out Production, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
A chandelier model Saturno designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Venini, Murano, 1990. Out production.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Glustin Luminaires Creation Rectangular Chandelier with Globes
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Brass chandeliers made of multiple rectangles assembled and white glass globes. New design by Glustin Luminaires.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Carlo Scarpa lattimo "a fasce" glass Ceiling Lamp by Venini, Murano 1938
Located in Rome, IT
Carlo Scarpa ceiling lamp 1938 Ceiling lamp designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini Murano Clear and Lattimo “ a fasce” gla...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Vistosi, Artemide, Flos, and DOOQ. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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