Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Number in Set: Set of 8
Huge Custom Acrylic Pendant Chandelier in the Manner of Aartreme
Located in New York, NY
Huge custom acrylic pendant chandelier in the manner of Aartreme. The frame in black metal finish. Each pendant has tubular acrylic shade and brass cover. Customization is available ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass, Metal, Wire
Custom, Hand-Finished Semi-Flush "Wyandot" Crown Pendant
Located in Houston, TX
Our exclusive design, the Wyandot pendant features an iron frame with white art glass diffuser at base. Newly wired with all UL listed parts and three Edison porcelain sockets. Hand-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Iron
Crystal Glass Pendant Lamp or Chandelier by Bakalowits & Söhne Vienna Austria
Located in Munich, DE
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp or chandelier. Manufactured by Bakalowits & Söhne, Vienna, Austria in 1960s.
Executed in facet cut crystal glass and gilt brass, the cha...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Crystal
One of 20 Globe Pendant Lamps by Glashütte Limburg
Located in Berlin, BE
Globe pendant lamps made of handblown glass and chrome hardware. They were produced in the 1970s by the German high end glass manufacturer Glashütte Limburg. 20 pieces available.
To ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome
Large Pendants in Art-Glass and Brass
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass suspension with handblown art glass-ball, fitted with one E27 socket. Made in Europe in the 1970s. Up to five pieces available or nine pieces with another suspension. Total len...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Custom Tear Drop Chandelier with Antique Brass Frame
Located in New York, NY
Custom tear drop chandelier with antique brass frame. Customization available in different sizes and finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Serge Mouille - Large Snail Ceiling Lamp
Located in Stratford, CT
A snail shell provides the inspiration for this lamp with its swirling cut out in the circular shade. Light projects downward through the opening while the shade causes light to refl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Large, 36-Arm, Clear Amber Murano /Venetian Glass Modern Neoclassical Chandelier
By Murano 5
Located in New York, NY
Two large, sober and elegant double tier Venetian glass chandeliers in clear amber glass with 24 lower arms and 12 upper arms and set up for 36 candelabra lights at up to 60 watts ea...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Murano Glass
Set of Eight Chandeliers or Pendants, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1960s, Czechoslovakia
- Maker: INVA Litomerice
- Very good original condition
- Glass with bubbles
- Saleable by the piece (one piece - €290)
- The rod can be shortened.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Custom Prism Globe Chandelier in Antique Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
Custom prism globe chandelier in antique brass finish. Customization available in different sizes, glass colors and finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Extra Large Pagoda-Style Alex Iridescent Glass Disc Chandelier
By Vistosi
Located in New York, NY
Made to order Murano glass disc "Pagoda" style chandelier with Alex Iridescent colored discs and polished nickel frame. Custom orders are available for different glass colors and fin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Nickel
Large Polished Aluminum and Milk Glass Pendant
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Impressive large-scale pendant light, polished metal fittings with brass detail and an impressive handblown milk glass shade. Pair available.
Avantgarden Ltd. cultivates unexpected a...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum
Custom Illuminating Glass Rod Sputnik Chandelier in Polished Brass
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom illuminating glass rod Sputnik chandelier in polished brass finish. Custom order are available for different sizes and finishes. P...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Brass
Ma-39s Custom Cage Chandelier 20th Century
By ma+39
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cage iron chandelier by Ma+39.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Iron
Austrian Snowflake Crystal Chandelier in Nickel Finish
Located in New York, NY
Custom Austrian snowflake crystal chandelier in nickel finish. Customization is available in different sizes and finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Nickel
Custom Austrian Snowflake Crystal Chandelier in Brass Finish
Located in New York, NY
Custom Austrian snowflake crystal chandelier. Custom order are available for different sizes and finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Snua Ceiling Rose Light Pendant Black
Located in London, GB
Snua Lamp by Erwan Louis an elegant fusion of form and function inspired by childhood nostalgia. This exquisite lamp, available as both a ceiling rose and a table lamp, boasts a slee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Large Chandelier Angelo Lelli Style, 6 Opaline Glass Flush Mount
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Lyon, FR
Amazing modern chandelier in brass and opaline glass. Made by our craftsman partner, this light can be used as a flush mount or chandelier. Very sculptural and decorative lamp. (cust...
Category
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Copper Pendant Lights
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Copper and black metal pendant lights with unlacquered brass 4" canopy. 77" overall height (inclusive of cord)
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Copper
GT4 Pendant Lamp by Gabriel Ordeig Cole for Santa and Cole
By Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
GT4 pendant lamp by Gabriel Ordeig Cole for Santa & Cole. This re-edition is designed and manufactured in Barcelona, Spain. Originally designed for a famous Barcelona bar from the 1980s. Large cone-shaped, woven cardboard shade...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
M68 Suspension Light by Miguel Milá for Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
M68 suspension light by Miguel Milá for Santa & Cole originally designed in 1962. This re-edition is currently manufactured in Barcelona, Spain. The hugely evocative shade on the M68...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Monumental Gino Sarfatti Model 2109/16/20 Glass Chandelier in Black
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2109/16/20 Glass Chandelier in Black.
This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet innovative approach t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2109/16/14 Glass Chandelier in Black
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2109/16/14 Glass Chandelier in Black.
This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet innovative approach t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 Glass Ceiling Light in Black
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 Glass Ceiling Light in Black.
This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet innovative approach to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 Glass Ceiling Light in Black
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 Glass Ceiling Light in Black.
This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet innovative approach to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Glass Ceiling Light in Black
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Glass Ceiling Light in Black.
This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet innovative approach to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Maija Pendant Light by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maija pendant light originally designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole in 1955. Made from a column of small matte white superimposed metal discs j...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass, Metal
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' Adjustable Pendant in Green for Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' adjustable pendant in green for Stilnovo
Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' Adjustable Pendant in Red for Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' adjustable pendant in red for Stilnovo
Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' Adjustable Pendant in White for Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Achille & Pier Castiglioni 'Saliscendi' adjustable pendant in white for Stilnovo
Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy duri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Houseof Wide Metal Diner Pendant in Olive Green
By houseof
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
Everyone makes a diner pendant these days... but not like ours. The adjustable pendant wire suspends a high quality metal shade, which focuses light down on to the work surface below...
Category
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
House of Pink 3 Light Flush Ceiling Light with Metal and Glass Shades
By houseof
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
This contemporary ceiling light is the perfect statement piece. Three metal stems hold our opal glass shades, which diffuse a warm illuminating glow, reminiscent of sunshine. Ideal f...
Category
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Set of Two Lamp 1804, Martinelli Luce, 1965
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 1804 is a lamp designed in 1965 for Martinelli Luce, a historic Italian company in lighting design. These lamps are an object with a 60s style, but which we believe can still ada...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Glass
Model 2109 /24/14 "Le Sfere" Suspension Light by Gino Sarfatti
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2109 24 14 suspension light by Gino Sarfatti. Current production designed and manufactured in Denmark. Opaline glass diffuser, steel structure, enameled aluminum armature. In 1...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Maija 30 Pendant by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maija 30 pendant by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Santa & Cole originally designed in Spain, 1955. Diffuser in white translucent glass. Nude/rose re-edtion. Wired for...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Brass
Extra Large 'Above 21.7' Pendant Lamp for Louis Poulsen in White
Located in Glendale, CA
Extra Large 'Above 21.7' Pendant Lamp for Louis Poulsen in White.
The Above pendant by Danish designer Mads Odgård represents an overtly simplistic lighting design. The designer h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum
Extra Large 'Above 21.7' Pendant Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Black
Located in Glendale, CA
Extra large 'Above 21.7' pendant lamp for Louis Poulsen in black.
The Above pendant by Danish designer Mads Odgård represents an overtly simplistic lighting design. The designer h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum
Roberto Rida Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
"Pigne," unique eight-light chandelier by Roberto Giulio Rida.
Elegant light of polished brass mounts with cut and polished clear glass, frosted glass ceiling cup and cone shades, a...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Modern Italian Chandelier "Quilla" 6 Opaline Glass
Located in Lyon, FR
Modern Italian chandelier with 6 opaline glass (E27 bulb)
Handcrafted in Italy.
Category
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Ribbed (22") Circular Undulating White Plaster Shell Pendant Light
Located in San Francisco, CA
A plaster pendant in an undulating shell shape, with scalloped edges and imprinted lines accentuating the form. A newer take on Francis Elkins's 1940's plaster plafonnier. Hanging by...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Ribbed (17") Circular Undulating White Plaster Shell Pendant Light
Located in San Francisco, CA
A plaster pendant in an undulating shell shape, with scalloped edges and imprinted lines accentuating the form. A newer take on Francis Elkins's 1940's plaster plafonnier. Hanging ...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Plaster
G1 Suspension Light by Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
G1 suspension light by Pierre Guariche. Current production by Sammode Studio designed and manufactured in France. Brass, enameled metal. Wired for U.S. Standards. The stunning G1 pen...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Brass
Lyndon 450 Suspension Light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lyndon 450 suspension light by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Originally designed in 1977. Current production manufactured in Italy. Chromium-plated metal structure, globes in transpare...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome
Vittoriano Viganò Special Mondrian Edition 'Vv Suspension' Lamp
Located in Glendale, CA
Vittoriano Viganò special mondrian edition 'VV suspension' lamp for Astep.
Viganò was the art director of Arteluce, the company founded by his creative partner Gino Sarfatti, and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Vittoriano Viganò 'VV Suspension' Lamp in Black and Red
Located in Glendale, CA
Vittoriano Viganò 'VV Suspension' lamp in red and black for Astep.
Viganò was the art director of Arteluce, the company founded by his creative partner Gino Sarfatti, and the vis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Parentesi Suspension Light by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu for Flos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Parentesi Suspension Light by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù. Originally designed in Italy in 1971. The iconic Parentesi was named for ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Steel
Large Moser Pendant by Anu Moser for Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Moser pendant by Anu Moser for Louis Poulsen. Hand blown three-layer white opal glass pendant. The Moser pendant is an extremely honest product, where ...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum
Doo-Wop Pendant by Jørn Utzon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Doo-Wop Pendant by Jørn Utzon. Current production by Louis Poulsen. Polished brass and metal pendant. Alsom available in black, white, chrome, stainless steel, dark grey and copper. ...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-century Modern chandeliers and pendants for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern chandeliers and pendants 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 chandeliers and pendants 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 Mid-Century Modern chandeliers and pendants made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chandeliers and pendants, popular names associated with this style include Fabio Ltd, J.T. Kalmar, Gaetano Sciolari, and Kalmar Lighting. 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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