pair of Robert Sonneman "Orbiter" Floor Lamps
View Similar Items
pair of Robert Sonneman "Orbiter" Floor Lamps
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Manufacturer),Robert Sonneman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 59 in (149.86 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bainbridge, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 6870521141stDibs: 1404309139767
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.
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.
- Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Shade, 1970sBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs adjustable reading floor lamp. Featuring a tubular chromed steel stem, arm, knob, and ball socket, adjustable black enameled aluminum with wh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome, Iron
- Robert Sonneman Style Adjustable Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Cone Shade, 1970sBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman Style adjustable Reading Floor Lamp. Featuring a tubular chromed steel stem, cantilevered arm, Black adjusting turn knob, adjustable vented black enameled alum...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome, Iron
- Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Black & White Tripod Floor Lamps, 1950'sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Tripod Floor Lamps in Black & White with Off White shades. 1950's. With three balanced and supporte...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950sBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Bainbridge, NYEarly Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Reading Floor Lamp with White Linen Shade. Featuring a joined tripod, three legged patinated Brass framework, Off-White enameled dif...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Robert Sonneman Adjustable Chrome "Tail Pipes" Hanging Lamp, Circa 1970By Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman Chrome and Off-White Enameled Wind Chimes Hanging Pendant, Circa 1970. Featuring five staggered, variable, alternating and adjustable height Chrome tubes with ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Orb Table Lamp on Black BaseBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman adjustable chrome globe desk lamp, Circa 1970. Featuring a heavy Black enameled rectangular base (5.5 x 8) with reflective, vent...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Robert Sonneman Orbiter Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in San Mateo, CAAdjustable floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. The arc portion rotates 360 degrees. The straight arm adjusts the shade up and down as well as side to side. This makes an excellen...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsIron
- VINTAGE Robert Sonneman Triennale Atomic Orbiter Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Chicago, ILSpace age Robert Sonneman Triennale Atomic Orbiter floor lamp. A very nice one is great condition. Style of Arredoluce.Category
20th Century American Space Age Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Robert Sonneman Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Atlanta, GASculptural Black and Chrome Floor Lamp, designed by Robert Sonneman, American, circa 1970s. It has been rewired and is ready to use.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,400 - Robert Sonneman Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Palm Springs, CASonneman chrome plated steel floor lamp. Lamp measures 18" wide, 18" deep and 65" high. Base is 10" diameter. We had the shade professionally relined. Shade measures 12" wide, 12" de...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage Robert Sonneman 3-Arm Triennale Orbiter Eyeball Adjustable Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Chicago, ILVintage 3-arm floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. circa 1970s. This lamp features three adjustable chrome orb light heads that pivot on balancing lever arms. A true classic and well-made lamp. Tested and in great working condition. Includes bulbs. Condition: Good to very good vintage condition. Some general light...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Midcentury Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYThis sleek and dynamic Mid-Century Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Floor Lamp in Chrome by Robert Sonneman originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a slender composit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome