Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Waterfall Glass Rod and Chrome Floor Lamp, 1970s
View Similar Items
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Waterfall Glass Rod and Chrome Floor Lamp, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Gaetano Sciolari (Designer),Lightolier (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 64 in (162.56 cm)Diameter: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. expertly restored and rewired.
- Seller Location:Bedford Hills, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97074744873
Gaetano Sciolari
The work of celebrated mid-century Italian lighting designer and entrepreneur Angelo Gaetano Sciolari became widely popular in the United States during the postwar years and strongly influenced lighting makers around the world. The sculptural forms and striking geometric details of his vintage floor lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures fit seamlessly into the mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency interiors of the day.
Sciolari formally studied architecture but also pursued filmmaking for a short period. When his father passed away in 1949, Sciolari took the reins at his family's company, Sciolari Lighting, which had been in business in Rome since 1892. The manufacturer expanded considerably under Gaetano’s leadership. For one, pioneering American lighting company Lightolier, in New York City, began to import the Italian brand’s lighting for the U.S. market, and Lightolier’s star designer, Gerald Thurston, was significantly influenced by Gaetano’s work. In the 1970s, Americans looking to add provocative fixtures created by Gaetano Sciolari to their living rooms could find them in Lightolier catalogs.
Sciolari initially crafted lamps and sconces that bore the hallmarks of traditional Italian design. But during the 1950s, when he would become the in-house designer for legendary Milan lighting manufacturer Stilnovo — one of the leaders of Italian postwar design — he created revolutionary fixtures that endured as his best-known work.
Sciolari drew on a range of influences — enthusiasts see the imprint of Art Deco, brutalism and more in his lighting — and designed futuristic Space Age chandeliers, ceiling lamps and pendants for Stilnovo as well as Stilkronen and S.A. Boulanger that defied the conventions of the time. A dizzying array of materials and finishes characterizes the designer’s work, while geometry is pronounced in each sculptural fixture — there are blown opal glass spheres, polished chrome tubes and brass square bulb holders. These combinations were critical to the development of dazzling lighting that proves eye-catching in any space decades later.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Angelo Gaetano Sciolari lighting today.
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Chrome Floor Lamp with Milk Glass Diffuser, 1970’sLocated in Bedford Hills, NYVery tall and lean chrome floor lamp with milk glass saucer shaped diffuser, 1970's.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Chrome Floor Lamp with Adjustable Goose Neck LampBy Peter HamburgerLocated in Bedford Hills, NYSuper cool chrome floor lamp in the style of Peter Hamburger for Knoll. Adjustable goose neck round light socket.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Italian Arco Floor Lamp Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni for FlosBy Achille & Pier Giacomo CastiglioniLocated in Bedford Hills, NYThe Arco lamp is a modern overhead lamp designed by brothers Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy. The lamp is characterized by a suspended spun aluminum pendant att...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Stainless Steel
- Mid Century Articulating Swing Arm Chrome Floor Lamp by Nessen Studios NYCBy Nessen StudioLocated in Bedford Hills, NYInternational style Nessen Studios adjustable swing arm all chrome reading lamp, circa 1960s. Featuring reflective, adjustable height Chrome stem, vented cylindrical chrome shade ato...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Modern Pyramid Brass Floor Lamp by Marbro Lamp Company, 1970'sBy The Marbro Lamp CompanyLocated in Bedford Hills, NYHollywood Regency pyramid tapered brass floor lamp by Marbro Lamp Company. 1970’s, great patina. Working order but rewiring recommend, shade not included.Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Metal Floor Lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel, 1960sBy Richard BarrLocated in Bedford Hills, NYVery cool Brutalist sculptural floor lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Co. Welded metal base with aged patina, clear round glass table top. Shade not included.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Brass and Glass Rods Floor LampBy Gaetano Sciolari, LightolierLocated in Hanover, MADazzling floor lamp by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier in brass with multiple glass rods. Illumination comes both from a single socket above for standard size Edison screw cap bu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Brass and Glass Rod Floor Lamp, Gaetano Sciolari Lightolier AttributedBy Gaetano Sciolari, LightolierLocated in Miami, FLBrass and Glass Rod Floor Lamp, Gaetano Sciolari Lightolier Attributed Offered for sale is a brass and glass rod floor lamp attributed to Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. This won...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Gaetano Sciolari Glass Rod Waterfall Flush Mounts for LightolierBy Lightolier, Gaetano SciolariLocated in Miami, FLREDUCED FROM $1,800....Fine 1970s Gaetano Sciolari flush mount ceiling lights in brass with glass rods in a waterfall trifoil rectangular form su...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
$1,150 Sale Price / set36% Off - Chrome Glass Rod and Lucite Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari for LightolierBy Gaetano Sciolari, LightolierLocated in New York, NYTwo-tier glass rod chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. Lucite center disk and Eight chrome sockets and fittings. Measurement length includes chain.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- 1970s, Italian Gaetano Sciolari for Sciolari Lighting Geometric Floor LampBy Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano SciolariLocated in London, GBA rare, striking and beautifully designed Italian floor lamp constructed from alternate, interlocking, identical, silver squares with brass edges. This beautiful lamp was designed by...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$2,695 Sale Price52% Off - Gaetano Sciolari Lightolier Glass Rod Chrome Chandelier Pendant set 7 LampsBy Gaetano Sciolari, LightolierLocated in Wayne, NJSet of 7 Gaetano Sciolari flush mount chrome tone top ceiling lights in brass tone accent and glass rods . Each single lamp measures 9.13" point to point and will vary in width. You ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass