The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
1950s Petite Flush Mount Chandelier by Barovier&Toso, Crystal Flowers
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite Italian Hand-Blown Crystal Flower Flush Mount Chandelier Charming petite Italian flush mount chandelier featuring a delicate arrangement of hand-blown crystal flowers in mult...
Metal
Set of Four Globe Flush Mounts, Research.Lighting, Brushed Nickel, 3in Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 4x Globe Flush Mounts in brushed nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Brushed Nickel Electronics: 1...
Brass, Steel
Venetian Murano Glass Palmette Palm Chandelier Flush Mount, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Very elegant vintage estate, midcentury Venetian Murano art glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso. This refined fixture features two round tiers of overlapping, large, curved, hand...
Brass
Hive Flush Mount by Research.Lighting, Nickel, 3in Glass Globe, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Hive Flush Mount in polished nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Polished Nickel Electronics: 1x G9...
Brass, Steel
Venetian Murano Glass Palmette Palm Chandelier Flush Mount, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Very elegant vintage estate, midcentury Venetian Murano art glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso. This refined fixture features two round tiers of overlapping, large, curved, hand-blo...
Brass
Vistosi Diamante Spotlight in Crystal by Barbara Maggiolo
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
The Diamante collection is handblown and handcrafted and charecterized by its innate versatility to be combined with other variations within the collection or within Vistosi's produc...
Murano Glass
Set of Four Hive Flush Mounts by Research.Lighting, Nickel, 3in Glass, MTO
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 4x Hive Flush Mounts in polished nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Polished Nickel Electronics: ...
Brass, Steel
Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 30, Powder Silk, Silvered Glass, Brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TIFFANY The first one, Audrey inspired the iconic Introducing Sabrina's breathtaking collection of Tiffany lamps. Year after year Sabrina Landini perpetuates its exceptional exp...
Silk, Art Glass
La Murrina Vistosi Pink Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Vintage Italy 1980s
By La Murrina
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant vintage Italian flush mount ceiling light, Glass shade made by La Murrina. The gold-plated metal fixture by Vistosi, circa 1980s or earlier. The fixture features a substan...
Metal
Spider Chandelier by Le Lampade
By Stilnovo
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This light fixture can be totally custom made and several colors and finishes are available. Made in Italy.
Brass, Enamel
Florentine Style Alabaster Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Murano glass flush mount produced by Massive Leuchten, Germany, in the 1980s. This elegant light features a stunning textured glass shade with a soft, marbled appearance ...
Metal
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Translucent Glass Foglia Leaf Flushmount Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This highly elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Translucent Glass Foglia Leaf Flushmount Chandelier W/ Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the ...
Brass
Konsthantverk Svep Large Iron Oxide Ceiling Lamp
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp model Stoby designed by Konsthantverk and manufactured by themselves. The production of lamps, wall lights and floor lamps are manufactured using craftsman’s technique...
Brass
Modernist Brass Flush Mount with Handblown Murano Gold & Translucent Glass Discs
Located in New York, NY
This handblown Murano chandelier is composed of an abundance of overlapping translucent Murano discs with 24kt yellow gold flecks attached to a polished brass base. The disks are con...
Brass
Large "Moon" Satin Glass Flush Mount, 1980s, Bankamp Leuchten, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous glass flush mount. Made to look like "The Moon". It can be used also as a wall light. The light fixture requires three European E27 Edison bulb, up to 60 watts each. Made ...
Metal
Pink Amethyst Amazing Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Glass
Pair of Hive Flush Mounts by Research.Lighting, Nickel, 5in Glass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Hive Flush Mounts in polished nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Polished Nickel Electronics: 1x G...
Brass, Steel
$7,828 / item
Flush Mount Construction of Brass Rings with Led
Located in Roeselare, BE
This pendant is a construction of 4 brass rings with flexible led tubes in the rings. The rings are connected to each other and hang over and next to each other. Measures: There is...
Brass
Tan Leather and Satin Brass Sarah Ceiling Pendant 24" Drum
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Illuminate a room while turning heads with the brilliant Sarah Ceiling Mount Fixture. Composed of a hand-sewn leather drum fitted between a satin brass top and bottom ring, the Sarah...
Brass
Kelly Wearstler "Utopia" Round Flush Mount Light, Aged Iron & Fractured Glass
By Visual Comfort, Kelly Wearstler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your space with this Kelly Wearstler "Utopia" Round Flush Mount Light in Aged Iron & Fractured Glass shade manufactured in 2019 by Visual Comfort. This stunning light fixture...
Iron
Slamp Mida Applique Multi-Color by Adriano Rachele
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Mida is inspired by the world of haute couture jewels. A pavè of precious gems encrusts an almost invisible setting, and polished cabochon are geometrically scattered across a floral corolla with silky, iridescent tones. The designer used...
Other
Konsthantverk Mid-Century Modern Svep Large Raw Brass Ceiling Lamp
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp model Stoby designed by Konsthantverk and manufactured by themselves. The production of lamps, wall lights and floor lamps are manufactured using craftsman’s techniq...
Brass
Large Murano Glass Leaves Modern Flushmount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
Exclusive production with precious Murano ice color glass leaves creating a fabulous light effect. Frame nickel. Six E 27 light bulbs. We can wire for your country standards. Weigh...
Art Glass
SLAMP Veli Mini Light Foliage by Adriano Rachele
By Slamp, Adriano Rachele
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Inspired by the high fashion world, where folds, pleats and soft structural shapes reign, Veli is a sophisticated, glamorous collection featuring a series of handcrafted elements car...
Other
Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 40, Champagne Silk Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TIFFANY The first one, Audrey inspired the iconic Introducing Sabrina's breathtaking collection of Tiffany lamps. Year after year Sabrina Landini perpetuates its exceptional exp...
Brass
De.Light W1 Brass Articulating Double Sconce Wall Light
Located in Paris, FR
The De.Light is a solid brass double wall light with a leather sheathed stem detail. The main structure tops an opal glass di user or a cylinder fabric shade and the Directional stem features a conic shade mounted with a moveable joint. Perfect as a bedside reading lamp or to illuminate wall art...
Brass
$7,900 / item
Rectangular Disco Chandelier by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian chandelier with burgundy colored hand blown Murano glass discs mounted on gold finish metal frame with decorative arch details, by Fabio Ltd, made in Italy 6 lights / E26 or ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
SLAMP Veli Mini Flush Light in Gold by Adriano Rachele
By Adriano Rachele, Slamp
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Inspired by the high fashion world, where folds, pleats and soft structural shapes reign, Veli is a sophisticated, glamorous collection featuring a series of handcrafted elements car...
Other
Caeli-W Monumental Steel Rattan Pendant Light, Flow Collection
Located in Paris, FR
Contemporary handcrafted made-to-measure pendant light fixture composed of a painted steel structure and a meticulously handwoven rattan shade. ...
Brass
De.Light W2 Contemporary Brass Articulating Double Wall Sconce, Flow Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The DE.LIGHT is a solid brass double wall light with a leather sheathed stem detail. The main structure tops a cylinder fabric shade or an opal glass di user and the directional stem...
Brass
Slamp Mida Wall/Ceiling Light White Gold by Adriano Rachele
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Mida is a ceiling/wall lamp with our exclusive magnetic system, inspired by the world of haute couture jewels. A pavè of precious gems encrust an almost invisible setting, and polish...
Other
FLOS Mini Button Wall and Ceiling Light in Glass by Piero Lissoni
By Flos, Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like his other designs, Piero Lissoni’s Mini Button is a brilliant display of function and minimalism that creates a powerful impact. This wall mount fixture provides diffused lighting suitable for indoor and covered outdoor use (IP44 rating, suitable for damp locations). There is a silicone elastomer dust and waterproof seal. The lamp body and wall fitting are die...
Metal
SLAMP Aurora Large Flush Light in White by Nigel Coates
By Nigel Coates, Slamp
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Designed by Nigel Coates. The aurora is a rose gold apparition of light taking over the sky just before sunrise. The heart of this refined ceiling lamp is made of crystals that almos...
Other
Pink Amethyst Amazing Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Glass
Slamp Mida Wall/Ceiling Light LARGE Multicolor by Adriano Rachele
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Mida is a ceiling/wall lamp with our exclusive magnetic system, inspired by the world of haute couture jewels. A pavè of precious gems encrust an almost invisible setting, and polish...
Other
$600Sale Price / item|25% Off
Y Flush Mount by Research.Lighting, Brass, 3in Glass Globes, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Y Flush Mount in Brass designed and manufactured by Research Lighting. Materials: Brass & Glass Finish: Raw Brushed Brass Electronics: 1x G9 Socket, 2x 2.5 W...
Brass
Barovier Toso Flush Mount Murano Glass Gold and Ice Flowers Basket, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount chandelier featuring overlapping crystal flowers, gold with 23-carat gold leaf fleck inclusions, mounted on a basket frame. The fixture requires two ...
Metal
Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Glass
$528Sale Price / item|20% Off
Square Wall Sconce or Flush Mount Light
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel painted frame fitted with two E27 bulbs for max. 100W each covered with two elements made of pressed and refined glass from the, early 1970s. It is possible to put several piec...
Steel
Large Green Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Flush Mount
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure Emerald green color Murano glass consists of 24 large hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Nine E27 lights bulbs spread a magical light. Wattage 4-6 W...
Glass
White Glass and Brass Flush Mount by B + M Leuchten, Germany
By B+M Leuchten 1
Located in Barntrup, DE
B + M Leuchten brass and white glass flush mount, Germany, circa 2015. An elegant and beautifully shaped white glass and brass flush mount, made in Germany, with one socket for the B...
Brass
Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure murano glass consists of an incredible number of leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. 9 lights spread a magical light. the price is \item Available also a pair . ...
Glass
$1,200 / item
Eight-Arm Articulated Ceiling Lamp
By Early Electrics Design Studio
Located in Peekskill, NY
These multi-light lamps can change their look with different bulbs and posing the arms. Each bulb has a gooseneck arm and black porcelain socket.
Brass
$3,750 / item
Rainbow Leather Meander Chandelier
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Our Meander Chandelier in glorious ROYGBIV colors. Seven flexible leather wrapped arms allows for playful poses and creative customization. As show...
Brass
Flush Mount Murano Disc Chandelier in Black and Clear Glass and Brushed Brass
Located in New York, NY
Flush mount chandelier with handblown Murano black and clear glass discs. This flush mount chandelier consists of an array of numerous, individually attached handblown Murano clear g...
Brass
Italian Murano Glass Gold Leaves Modern Flushmount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
Exclusive production with precious Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion, creating a fabulous light effect. Available also with ice color glasses. Frame; gold-plated or nickel. ...
Art Glass
Uno Classico Semi-Flush Mount by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
By form A, Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro
Located in New York, NY
The Uno ceiling light exemplifies simple elegance via its clean profile designed around a single Murano glass shade. Starting pricing by size-10% upcharge for specialty finishes: 1...
Brass
Geometria Sospesa Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Satin Brass Finish
By Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro, form A
Located in New York, NY
Translated in English to “suspended geometry”, the Geometria Sospesa ceiling light plays with the notion of lines and shapes. The concept is brought to life by its distinctive windin...
Brass
Amazing Gold Amber Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure amber color Murano glass with gold inclusion. Consists of 45 amazing hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the ...
Glass
$4,541 / item
Large Modern Ice Tronchi Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing chandelier with 78 clear tronchi Murano glasses 20 cm long. Nickel-plated metal structure on four levels. Eight E 27 light bulbs Price is \ item.
Metal
Flush Mount Light 1 - Vrksa Series by Raka Studio - Ceiling Light in Ash Wood
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
The Flush Mount Light 1 sits closely on the ceiling, it has been made using solid ashwood by bending the wood. Two cocoon-like wooden structures bear the light bulbs, dispelling ligh...
Ash, Bentwood
$3,933Sale Price / item|10% Off
'Carré' Alabaster and Brass Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Denis De La Mesiere
By Pierre Chareau, Maison Paname
Located in Glendale, CA
'Carré' Alabaster and Brass Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Denis De La Mesiere Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere, ...
Alabaster, Metal
Amazing Large Green Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure Emerald green color Murano glass consists of 24 large hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Nine E27 lights bulbs spread a m...
Glass
Pair of Globe Flush Mounts by Research.Lighting, Black, 5in Glass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Globe Flush Mounts in black designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Black Electronics: 1x G9 Socket, 1x 4....
Brass, Steel
Oculus Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Murano Glass and Polished Nickel Finish
By Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro, form A
Located in New York, NY
The Oculus ceiling light features an innovative articulating design that allows the ten arms to have a wide range of motion for endless configurations. The brass constructed frame ca...
Brass
Anton Mini in Gunmetal by Volker Haug
Located in Geneve, CH
Anton micro in gunmetal by Volker Haug Anton series Dimensions: W 13, H 13, D 8.3 cm Materials: Cast gunmetal Finish: Polished Lamp: G9 LED (240V / 120V US). 12V option available. G...
Metal
Tre Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Polished Brass Finish
By Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro, form A
Located in New York, NY
The Tre ceiling light harmoniously juxtaposes the balance of its three evenly spaced arms with the asymmetry of its variable size shades staggered at...
Brass
$2,700 / item
Nube Flush Mount by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern Italian flush mount or chandelier with four white glass shades mounted on chrome finish metal frame / Made in Italy by Fabio Ltd Diameter: 18 inches / Height: 14.5 inches 4 li...
Metal
Uno Classico Semi-Flush Mount by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
By form A, Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro
Located in New York, NY
The Uno ceiling light exemplifies simple elegance via its clean profile designed around a single Murano glass shade. Starting pricing by size: 10”-$2,200.00 12”-$2,600.00 14”-$2,800...
Brass
Caeli Pleated Monumental Brass Pendant Light, Flow Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The contemporary handcrafted made-to-measure pendant light fixture features an expertly handcrafted brass structure and a hand-pleated white fabric shade. This piece creates a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for living areas or kitchen island lights...
Brass