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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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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1,465
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3,182
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Style: Modern
1295 Murano Hand Blown Glass Murrina Grand Table Lamp, Egg shape Millefiori
Located in Venice, VE
Our mission is to evoke emotions through the transformative medium of glass, infused with the spirit of artistry.
At 1295 Murano, we are more than just a furnace – we are a dynamic ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Set of Three Contemporary Pendant Lamps 'Suprematic CS5' by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Suprematic lighting collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich.
Suprematism is a modernist movement in the art of the early 20th century, fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel, Brass
MINA rechargable lamp, brass finish- by 247lab
Located in Saonara, IT
- Presented on 1ST DIBS in preview -
-Rechargable table lamp model "MINA", made in anodized aluminium (brass finish); with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits in...
Category
2010s Unknown Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Bronze Electric Candelabra Wall Sconce with Girl in Bonnet, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of vintage circa 1947 solid bronze electric candelabra wall sconces featuring a young girl in bonnet used in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Cuore N.10 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro. Peltro and Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cuore collection was conceived with the goal of creating fixtures that are unexpected yet clean and harmoniously balanced. This is highlighted by the organically styled shades sp...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Atelier George Lighting Fixture Solaire
Located in Paris, FR
Solar pendant light by Atelier George is a unique piece made of blown glass with a brass stem. It is composed of a white with amber veins glass globe, and three glass planets of blue...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Red Enamel Desk Lamp in the Style of Gilbert Rohde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite art deco enameled desk or table lamp in the style of Gilbert Rohde, c.1930s. The lamp features a red enameled cylindrical pivoting shade. The brass curved stem of the lamp con...
Category
1930s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Cloud N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
Intersecting semi circles and round alabaster shades come together in the Cloud N.5 ceiling light to create a piece that feels sculptural yet light and dynamic. The five shades are c...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier, Large Brass Pendant Lamp/ Chandelier, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier, Large Brass Pendant Lamp/ Chandelier, 1950s
USA, 20th Century
An exceptional design, this Paavo Tynell for Lightolier Large Brass Pendant Lamp/Chandelie...
Category
20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Glass and Brass Esperia Table Lamps
By Esperia
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of table lamps made by Esperia, each made of a triangular foot in blown clear glass, with a streak of dark grey in the center. Some air bubbles are visible in the glass, which i...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Peltro Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Petrol Green Murano Glass Blocks Lamps with Our Double Color Lampshades, 1970s
Located in Florence, IT
Petrol green Murano glass blocks lamps with brass base and our hand sewn blue and green lampshades.
The geometric glass blocks are solid, thick and heavy.
The double color lampshades...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Cloud N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
Intersecting semi circles and round alabaster shades come together in the Cloud N.5 ceiling light to create a piece that feels sculptural yet light and dynamic. The five shades are c...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.4 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.4 ceiling light features four overlapping shades with large Tuscan alabaster diffusers providing an impressive amount of ambient light as well as up lighting. The shades ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Nautilus Chandelier in Natural Brass and Blown Opal Glass by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
NAUTILUS chandelier by blueprint lighting is an elegant piece of functional sculpture that emits a stunning candlelit glow. Featuring gracefully sp...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
White opaline-glass in a handcrafted brass-rim hanging on works of passamenterie
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier with a white opaline-glass in a handcrafted brass-rim, hanging on works of passamentery
Brass rim in several finishes, handblown opaline-glass and handcrafted passament...
Category
2010s Austrian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Scagliola Table Lamp
Located in Worcester, GB
Handcrafter scagliola table lamp made from hues of turquoise blue and autumnal veining.
Crafted using traditional 17th century techniques, each piece is mixed, cast and polished by ...
Category
2010s British Modern Lighting
Materials
Scagliola
FLOS Snoopy Table Lamp in Orange by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masterful Orange table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni gets a dazzling makeover.
Collectors now have a new reason to cherish the Snoopy table lamp by Achille an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Marble, Steel
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of Serge Roche Style Palmette Torchieres / Wall Sconces
By Serge Roche
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Serge Roche Style Palmette Torchieres
Circa 1970s
Pair of Serge Roche Style Palmette Torchieres wall mounting palm tree floor lamps. Each torchiere is a stunning example of ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished brass-s...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Moooi Serpentine Light by Front Design
By Moooi, Front Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Serpentine Light by Front is an airy suspension lamp made from elaborate twists and turns. The lighting design originated from twisting and turning a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Peltro Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Mid Century Modern Chrome 24 Bulb Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Elevate your space with timeless elegance and striking illumination courtesy of this Large Mid Century Modern Chrome Chandelier. With its sleek chrome finish and minimalist design, t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Cloud N.1 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cloud N.1 ceiling light embodies a minimalist design with a clean brass band and a glowing Tuscan alabaster diffuser. Available in 4 sizes and can be installed as a semi flush mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Shell Wall Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell wall light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in Bronzo Nuvolato-sub...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in Bronzo Nuvolato-...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Shell Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell ceiling light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished nickel-...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Shell Wall Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Shell wall light is forged from brass to create an organic shell nestling three of our handblown Sfera glasses made in Murano.
Shown in the primary images in polished nickel -su...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Moon Mandala Chandelier by Lorin Silverman
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass, patinated brass. gold foil. Teal-blue, blown glass bowls with white, sculpted blown-glass diffusers. Glass bowls embedded with gold foil. 8 x E12, (candelabra) sockets. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Foil
Solid Brass Contemporary-Modern Wall Light Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted wall lamp model "ELLE", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, ELLE , is a clear recall t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Copper, Bronzed Modernist Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Custom pair of copper plated modernist lamps with bronzed front concave panels. Professionally rewired for use in USA, 100W bulb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Long Brass Chandelier With Beige, Blue and Grey Murano Glass Panels
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Long chandelier, ideal over a dining table, made of brass structure with twelve sources of light. The structure is covered with two layers of Murano glass panels in various colours.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Contemporary-Modern Wall Light Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted wall lamp model "Square Candle", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Its name, Square Candle, is...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair Baker Furniture Murano Frosted Glass table lamps large scaled Italy modern
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Amazing pair of frosted green table lamps - glass body is approx 11 inches diameter x 15 inches high plus 10-14 inch adjustable shade holder.
Shades photographed measure approx 18 in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Crystal Colorful Candleholder, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
A unique piece
Crystal candleholder made in Venice
Colroful and bright this candleholder will make your table spark.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal
TRN Ceramic Light, Model C3
By Pani Jurek
Located in Grojec, PL
The lighting fixture is part of TRN collection. Three dimensional objects inspired by Jan Tarasin painting have a simple calligraphic form so they can play and talk together as if they were letters from a non-existent alphabet.
The hand crafted process of glazing ceramics gives the collection a truly unique character. It is finished with brass elements.
Ceramic part size: H: 45 cm (13,7") x 35 cm (10,8"),
ceramic tubes...
Category
2010s Polish Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of, Handmade Table Lamp, Natural Rattan Brass, Mediterranean Objects - Auct
Located in Barcelona, ES
This publication corresponds to a pair of lamps. If you want a single unit, or three or more units, there is another publication for it.
AMA - Table lamp
Ama , comes from the Catal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Murano Glass Paneled Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass paneled sconces; each crafted with three curved panels of hand-blown smoked glass on a brass frame. We love the moder...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Handcrafted Magnum Lamp of Orange/Copper Ash and Walnut
By WOODSPORT
Located in St. Paul, MN
Handcrafted lamp of selected ash and walnut, laminated and turned on a lathe. Horizontal grooves are cut into the surface to intersect with the vertical grain patterns of the tree's ...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Walnut, Ash
Murano Floor Lamp with Clear Glass Rods, Column Shape, 1980s
Located in Florence, IT
Murano floor lamp with clear glass rods, brass base and top. The floor lamp is a clear glass sculpture with column shape, on the top there is a Murano clear glass sphere...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pensee Table Lamp
Located in Renton, WA
The Pensee is a refined and contemporary take on a timeless silhouette. With a classic profile and compact design, the new Pensee Table Lamp offers the best luminaire experience to d...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Orbitale Brass Chandelier 3 Rotating Balanced Arms
By Stilnovo
Located in Miami, FL
Orbitale Brass Chandelier 3 Rotating Balanced Arms. Two shades are in black and one in white. Ready for a new home.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Metal
Sol Pendant L
Located in Renton, WA
Sol collection is low-key design with elaborate consideration, consists of pendant, table lamp and even bow lamp type. SOL Pendant L ’s ring-like lampshade i...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Sircle Pendant PH4
Located in Renton, WA
Sircle pendant PH4, a symbolization merged Square and circle, inspired by the East aesthetic philosophy, the circular light ball just like a soft tender mind lean...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
DOME Pendant M 'Chrome, Copper'
Located in Renton, WA
DOME Pendant fuses simplistic ideologies with precision craftsmanship. Balanced with a clean classic silhouette, the DOME Pendant features a dramatic oversized lampshade...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Hercules Floor Lamp
Located in Renton, WA
Featuring brilliant mechanical structures while maintaining the essential spirit of design, the Hercules provides a stunning balance between form and function. Users can turn on and dim the LED light via a swirling switch, adjust the rotating shade and create a perfectly placed arc with the simple move of a lever. The HERCULES Floor Lamp...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Archer Floor Lamp
Located in Renton, WA
Archer is one of the brightest constellations in a summer night. The solid bow arm is constructed with beech. The bowstring is conveniently created for easy adjustment in the lamp’s ...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Johan Carpner Satellit 55 Brass Black Celling Lamp by Konsthantverk
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp model Grenverk designed by Johan Carpner and manufactured by Konsthantverk.
The production of lamps, wall lights and floor lamps are manufactured using craftsman’s tech...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Alta Brass Dome Chandelier by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Miami, FL
Alta antiqued brass dome features a spun metal shade with a brass canopy and rod.
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Castle Muse Table Lamp
Located in Renton, WA
A term derived from Greek mythology, Muses were nine goddesses, that symbolized the greatest of arts and sciences. Today a Muse is defined as a person or object who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. SEED Design has brought a spark of ingenuity and created our very own MUSE. The CASTLE Muse Table...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Concrete
OLO Floor Lamp
Located in Renton, WA
The OLO Table and Floor Lamps are the newest additions to the OLO Family. The hollow rotatable lamp shade is embedded with cutting-edge design, offer a h...
Category
2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Bonnie Contemporary LED Medium Pendant, Solid Brass or Chromed
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence.
Each organic flower-like form is st...
Category
2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
A Lunel wall lamp
By Lunel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare large sconce Maison Lunel
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
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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