Italian Modernist Lightolier Chandelier in Brass
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Diameter: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Lightolier
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1960s Lightolier Sputnik Chandelier in Chrome with Glass GlobesBy LightolierLocated in New York, NYA large-scale chrome frame Sputnik chandelier, produced circa 1960s by Lightolier, with surrounding glass globe shades, radiating from a central nucleus. Very good vintage condition,...Category
Vintage 1960s Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- French Adnet Style Modernist Brass ChandelierBy Jacques AdnetLocated in New York, NYFrench Modernist midcentury chandelier pendant, the brass structure topped with four frosted glass shades, in the manner of Jacques Adnet (French, 1900-1984). 27" H x 20" diameter. ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Late 20th Century Italian Sputnik Chandelier in BrassLocated in New York, NYAn Italian Sputnik chandelier, produced within the late 20th century period, with sockets projecting from the central nucleus, surrounded by an array of brass beams, entirely suspend...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Modern Large Brass Sputnik ChandelierLocated in New York, NYItalian Mid-Century Modern brass sputnik chandelier, the sun or starburst form with ten light bulb fittings. 44" H x 35" diameter. Provenance: From a 540 West 24th Street estate.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large Italian Modern Brass & Aluminum ChandelierLocated in New York, NYLarge Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass and Aluminum Ceiling Light Pendant with frosted glass shade, circa 1950. Dealer: S138XXCategory
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Paavo Tynell Modernist ChandelierLocated in New York, NYPaavo Tynell for Idman, Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Chandelier, Brass Frame With Glass Shades, circa 1950s. Dealer: S138XXCategory
Mid-20th Century Finnish Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Lightolier Style Brass ChandelierBy LightolierLocated in Tarrytown, NYItalian brass Mid-Century chandelier in the style of Lightolier. Professionally restored and rewired. Satin finish. Max.60W per socket.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Brass Chandelier LightolierBy LightolierLocated in New York, NYStunning Mid-Century Modern Brass Chandelier. Lightolier Five Arm Brass Chandelier with frosted white glass sphere shaped shades. Five Arm Brass Mid-Century Modern Sphere Glass Chandelier. Five upswept square brass tube arms with small brass ball details to each arm having frosted white glass sphere's set in raised brass dishes. From the center a brass pole extends downward to a brass dish finial capped with brass sphere to the bottom. Simple lines creating elegant movement presenting a modern aesthetic. This chandelier offers flexibility can be both a formal or modern casual lighting feature. Working great over a dinning table or room fixture. Supper Mid Century Brass Chandelier.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Tommi Parzinger Style Brass Chandelier by Lightolier, , Classic ModernistBy Tommi Parzinger, LightolierLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning 1960s Mid-Century Modern brass chandelier in the style of Tommi Parzinger made by Lightolier, Tested and electrical working.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Brass Chandelier in the Manner of LightolierBy LightolierLocated in Asbury Park, NJGreat oversized 6 head brass chandelier in the manner of Lightolier. It has all the aspects of a Lightolier piece but I have been unable to find this example. Each light has a textur...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Lightolier Spun Aluminum Eight-Light Modernist ChandelierBy LightolierLocated in Chicago, ILModernist chandelier in spun aluminum and steel with eight arms and glass globes. Vented bobeches hold the glass globes in place over spun aluminum tube socket covers. Possibly an ea...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Brass Lightolier ChandelierBy LightolierLocated in New York, NYA stunning Mid-Century Modern eight-arm chandelier, made in Germany. Featuring eight arms with conical shades, emanating from a disk, Circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass