1990s Robert Sonneman George Kovacs Gray Pharmacy Library Reading Floor Lamp 60"
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer),George Kovacs (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 49.5 in (125.73 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good Overall - Some scuffs/spots/scraping; adjustment ring does not tighten well.
- Seller Location:Dayton, OH
- Reference Number:
Robert Sonneman
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dayton, OH
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Vintage Max Studio Home Modern Arc Steel Marble Floor Library Reading Lamp 64"Located in Dayton, OHVintage Max Studio Home modern arched floor lamp. Made of steel featuring the symbolic mid century / retro arc with heavy cylindrical marble base. Leon Max ...Category
Late 20th Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMarble, Steel
- Vintage Brass 3 Light French Horn Library Candelabra Bouillotte Floor LampLocated in Dayton, OHVintage brass bouillotte style floor lamp with black accents, three French Horn shaped candlestick lights topped with an arrow shaped / we...Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Vintage 1970s Chapman Brass Faux Rams Horn Library Reading Floor Lamp 51"By Chapman Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Dayton, OHCirca 1970's Chapman Brass floor lamp featuring a round, stepped pedestal base and artificial ram's horn perched on the column body with black accents, leading to a faux candlestick ...Category
Vintage 1970s British Colonial Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Natural Light Company Contemporary Metal Swivel Floor Lamp DimmableLocated in Dayton, OHA contemporary metal swivel lamp by The Natural Light Co. Features a modern tubular rack shape with black base. Measure: 61".Category
Late 20th Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Antique Brass & Marble 3 Arm Candelabra Torchiere Floor Lamp w Shade 69"Located in Dayton, OHLate 19th-early 20th century large floor lamp with an iron and white marble base, brass body with candelabra sockets for three candle shaped bulbs and main torchiere style top with m...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Floor Lamps
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Hollywood Regency Style Enameled Brass Stacked Torchiere Floor Lamp VintageLocated in Dayton, OHVintage Hollywood Regency style floor lamp. Features a stacked design with enamel and banding. Measure: 67". Base Diameter - 12"Category
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsEnamel, Chrome
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Reading Floor Lamp, 1990By Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Port Jervis, NYFully adjustable reading lamp in bronze enamel by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Lamp extends from 45 inches to 58 in height. This item...Category
1990s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Eyeball Floor Lamp in Orange Finish c 1970'sBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in New York, NYCool post modern eyeball floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. The lamp features a ball shade which pivots, and tilts to direct the light, it accepts a standard s...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury George Kovacs Robert Sonneman Modern Reading LampBy George Kovacs, Sonneman LightingLocated in BROOKLYN, NYOffered for sale is a Mid-Century Modern floor lamp designed by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s. Chrome is in excellent condone. Some light scuffs to base. Elegant Mid...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Robert Sonneman Post Modern Floor LampBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Miami, FLPost-Modern torchiere uplighter floor lamp rendered in powder coated and painted steel with geometric forms reminiscent of Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano designs, by Robert Sonneman.Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman Iron & Chrome Orb Floor Lamp for George KovacsBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Los Angeles, CARobert Sonneman iron & chrome orb floor lamp for George Kovacs. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Mo...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Iron
- Vintage Brass & Glass Floor Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in London, GBA stunning and rare vintage brass & glass floor lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. This was made in the USA in the 1970-80’s, it is a beautiful design. It is a lovely size, ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass