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Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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
Murano Glass Pendant Light
Located in Antwerp, BE
Murano glass pendant light. Measure: Diameter 22 cm. Height fixture 17 cm. Total height 50 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Pair of Italian Brutalist Lanterns, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Italian Brutalist lanterns, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Iron

Elegant Architectural Glass Lantern, circa 1960, French Design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Elegant and architectural glass lantern. Decorative electric lantern with many colors. Produced in France, circa 1960. Electric system is ok....
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

1950 Engraved Crystal Lantern and Gold Brass Parts Italian Design
Located in Palermo, Sicily
1950 engraved crystal lantern and gold brass parts Italian design. 1 light bulb E27 max 100 watt. Only crystall cm. 36 x 28 diameter.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Italian Glass and Brass 1950s Pendant in the Style of Azucena
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pendant light was designed in Italy, circa 1950s. Its style resembles the contemporary Azucena production. It is made from brass, mouth blown glass and a decorative spiral of cr...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Four Clear Hand Blown Venetian or Murano Glass Lanterns or Pendants, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Two pairs of sober, elegant modern neoclassical lanterns or pendants in clear hand blown Murano glass in the style of Venini. Chain and canopy are included. Height is 25.38 withou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

Iron Lantern, France, circa 1930
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Iron lantern in the shape of a navette, Forged and hammered iron, France, circa 1930. Measures: Height 105 cm, width 48 cm, depth 24 cm.
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Iron

Round Midcentury Italian Design Lantern Green Gold Brass Glass White
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round midcentury Italian design lantern green gold brass glass white. 1 light bulb E27 max 100 watt.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Round Lantern Midcentury Italian Design Brass Gold Glass Satin, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round lantern midcentury Italian design brass gold glass satin, 1950s. 3 light bulbs E14 max 40 watt each.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Round Stilux Midcentury Lantern Aluminum Brown Crystal Diamond Italian Design
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Stilux midcentury lantern aluminum brown crystal diamond Italian design. It has some scratches on the metal part as can be seen in the photo. 2 l...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Aluminum

Fontana Arte style lantern
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fontana Arte style lantern. Murano glass, brass. Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Takes 1 medium base bulb. Complimentary US rewiring upon reque...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and Glass Lantern Attributed to Lumi circa 1940
By Lumi
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Mid-Century Modern Italian green lacquered brass and glass, two-light lantern attributed to Lumi, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Rainbow Crystal Rod and Brass Chandelier or Lantern by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Stunning 1960s Gaetano Sciolari iridescent glass rod modernist chandeliers with brass frame. Six E 14 light bulbs. Available also a pair of delicious table lights. Excellent vintag...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Lantern Murano Glass Bell Midcentury Design Transparent Bubbles Barovier Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Lantern Murano glass bell midcentury Italian design Trasparent bubbles, Barovier attributed, brass chain. 1 light bulb E27 Max 80 Watt. Only glass bell height cm.45 diameter cm.29 ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Stilnovo Style Lantern Midcentury Italian Design Gold Green White Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Stilnovo style lantern midcentury Italian design gold green white glass. 1 light bulb E27 Max 100 watt.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

'Varaflame' Butane Candlestick by Ronson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A figured wood 'Varaflame' butane candlestick with chrome stem on a patinated steel base.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Glamorous Pair of French Brass and Facet Glass Sconces
Located in Voorburg, NL
Highly sophisticated pair of brass and facet glass sconces produced in France, 1980s. Each lamp has a handsome brass back plate and frame and has a beautiful geometrical pattern with...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Italian Midcentury Brass and Light Blue Murano Glass Lantern
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing Italian midcentury brass and light blue Murano glass lantern or pendant. Four E 14 light bulbs. We can wire for your country standards.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage Murano Lantern Styled Art Glass Table or Bedroom Accent Lamps
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of small lantern styled art glass table lamps are unsigned, but are presumed to have been made in Italy and designed by Angelo Seguso in circa 1970. The two lamps are done ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Bronze Lantern with Flowers and Garlands, 1950s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful Italian lantern made of heavy strong bronze with flower decors and garlands of the 1950s. With original canopy also made of bronze. The original glasses are in excellent ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Bronze

Lantern Pendant Midcentury Brass Italy Dino Martens Style Multicolor Toso
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Lantern ceiling lamp pendant midcentury Italian design Dino Martens style multi-color. Measures: Only glass cm. 44 x 15 diameter. 1 light bulbs ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Lantern Ceiling Lamp Midcentury Brass Italy Dino Martens Style Multi-Color Toso
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Lantern ceiling lamp midcentury Italian design Dino Martens style multi-color. Measures: Only glass cm. 40 x 17 diameter. 1 light bulbs E27 Max ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Venini Style Murano Glass Chandelier or Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
Venini style Murano glass chandelier or lantern Hand blown Venini style Murano glass pendant, Murano chandelier or Murano glass chandelier with bronze fittings...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

Kalmar Glass Lantern Vienna, Austria, 1950
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar lantern Vienna, Austria, 1950, Clear glass lantern made from one piece of molded glass with an engraved pattern on a brass frame with one downward light, Austria, 1950s. Ele...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Geometric Lantern Pendant Italian Design Orange White Glass Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury geometric lantern pendant Italian design orange white glass brass. Only glass cm. 32 x 20 diameter. 1 light bulb E27 Max 100 Watt.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

One of Five Industrial Pendant Lights
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of five Industrial pendant lights. Please note that price is per item not for the set.
Category

Mid-20th Century Slovak Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Aluminum

Art Deco Chrome and Murano Glass Chandelier Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte, 1930
Located in Rome, IT
Curious and rare design Fontana Arte pendant with in chromium plated frame by Pietro Chiesa studio. Two glass satin finished panels decorated with fountains centered by opaque glass...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

Noti Massari Renato Toso for Leucos, Rare 3 Incalmos Suspension Layered Glass
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Extraordinary suspension made for Leucos by Toni Massari. Heavy Venetian glass has 3 incalmo. The inner is black outside and white inside, which is a typical design of Renato Toso (...
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Small Vintage Milk Glass Globe Pendant with Antique Brass Canopy
Located in New York, NY
A small voluminous globe lightens up all directions and creates a simple, elegant statement for any room. Some minor blemishes and scratches show consistent with its age.  
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Blown Glass

Rare Large German Vintage Blown Glass Ceiling Hanging Pendant Light, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful hand blown multi-color glass and black lacquered metal pendant. Germany, 1960s. Measures: Glass/body D 13.8 in, H 13.8 in Lamp sockets: 1x E27 (US E26).    
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Jean Perzel, Lantern in Brass and Glass, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jean Perzel, lantern in brass and glass, circa 1960 Dimensions of the lantern 40 x 30 cm Dimensions with the chain 65 x 30 cm metal needs to be polished the glass is transparent and ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Jean Perzel, Lantern in Brass and Glass, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jean Perzel, lantern in brass and glass, circa 1960. Scratches and wear on the metal Dimensions of the lantern 40 x 30 cm Dimensions with the chain 65 x 30 cm.  
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Rope Lantern Chandelier Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Rope circular lantern chandelier Audoux Minet, circa 1960 with white opaline glass. Measures: Height / 10.5", 22.5" with the rope, diameter / 9". Nautical style.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Rope, Glass

Italian Mid-Century White Murano Glass Pendant or Lantern by Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern white Murano glass pendant or lantern by Stilnovo. The height of the fixture is adjustable via the suspension ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Glass

One of Two Pendant Lamps by RAAK
By RAAK
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two pendant lamps by RAAK, Amsterdam. Price per item.
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Italian Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian glass chandelier. Measures: Height fixture 73 cm. Diameter 45 cm. Total height with the chain 115 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Amazing Three Pendants Attributed to Fontana Arte, 1970
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant trio of lights. 24 glasses blades with chipped edges in Verde Nilo Color. The glasses of each group are height 20 cm and diameter 15 cm.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Height Brass and Colored Glass Lenses Small Lanterns
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Height vintage small lanterns made of brass with round colored glass lenses set in them.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Pietro Chiesa Fontana Arte Chandelier Green Faceted Glass Chrome Metal Lamp 1940
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
A rare Italian chain hanging green faceted and beveled glass panel chandelier, lantern or pendant with nice chromed metal details attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Chrome

Venini Original Tronchi and Gold Triedi Chandelier or Lantern, Murano 1960
Located in Rome, IT
Stunning Italian Mid-Century Modern chandelier by Venini with long Ice color handblown "Tronchi "and shiny gold "trilobi " The original metal structure with chain and canopy . Thr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Blown Glass

Huge Beautiful Crystal Bakalowits Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large and impressive chandelier or pendant light by Bakalowits und Soehne, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970. The fixture is handmade and high quality pieces. A bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Midcentury Modernist Brutalist Pendant by Tom Greene
Located in New York, NY
A terrific Mid-Century Modernist Brutalist pendant by Tom Greene featuring torch-cut patinated brass box frame that holds a single bulb. Its top offers sculptural segments mimicking ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Murano Blown Glass Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian Murano glass ball chandelier. Diameter: 40cm.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Glass Lantern, Italy, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Clear glass sphere with a geometric bubble pattern throughout. The glass has a very slight rose tint.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Chrome

Brass & Glass Lantern in Style of Pietro Chiesa, 1940s
Located in Amsterdam, NH
Beautiful classic lantern with 6-faceted glasses, nicely decorated with brass and green colored polychrome wiring. 1x bajonet fitting, circa 1940s.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Wonderful Mid-Century Modern Bell Art Glass Pendent Baccarat Chandelier Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Mid-Century Modern bell form art glass thick rope clear Baccarat style pendant chandelier Fitted with one Edison light that has been rewired and ready to enjoy.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

One of Two French Gilt Metal Chandeliers with Porcelain Flowers
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two French gilt metal chandeliers with porcelain flowers. Measures: Diameter 34 cm. Height fixture: 44 cm. Total height: 76 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Italian Sciolari Chandelier in Brass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian Sciolari chandelier. Measures: Diameter 58 cm. Height fixture 38 cm. Total height 90 cm. Nine E14 bulbs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Charming Italian Midcentury Pink Peach Color Murano Fixture by Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
With a precious hand blown 'costolature' cup, rare pink peach color. Three E27 light bulbs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Blown Glass

Italian Midcentury Delicious Brass Lantern in the Style of Pietro Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
Brass-mounted with elegant engraving on glass, original conditions. Measures: Height without chain 40 cm diameter 26 cm. Single light bulb E 27.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Perforated Metal Black White Ceiling Lamp Midcentury Italian Design 1950s Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Perforated metal black white ceiling lamp midcentury Italian design 1950s brass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Hanging Lanterns
Located in East Hampton, NY
Attributed to Gio Ponti, accent lamps in original condition, with etched frosted glass and brass trim throughout. Vintage condition and as beautiful as the day they were made.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Italian 1960's Striped Ceramic Pendant Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian turquoise and white stripe ceramic hanging pendant chandelier has textured glaze and walnut stem. Light illuminates through elongated openings in ceramic body. Lamp body mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Arts and Crafts Large Brass Lantern
Located in Antwerp, BE
A beautiful original Arts & Crafts Lantern in brass. This rare and stunning lantern is of substantial proportions and features attractive decoration motifs hammered into the copper; ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Copper

Beautiful Vintage Glass and Iron Pendant Ceiling Lamp, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful glass and brass pendant by Limburg, Germany, 1960s. Lamp sockets: One x E27 (US E26)
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Ceiling Lamp Lantern Minimal Design Round Black Steel Italian Design, 1960 Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ceiling lamp lantern minimal design round black steel Italian design, 1960 glass. Inside it has an acid-etched glass, presents on the outside sculpture...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Venetian Glass Snowflake Chandelier , 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A luxurious, , 1970s snowflake Sputnik light composed of a polished chrome sphere body and thick solid Murano glass obelisk shaped elements . The textured glass resembled ice. Twenty...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Chrome

Chandelier with Porcelain Flowers
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brass chandelier with porcelain flowers. Diameter 47 cm. Height fixture 40 cm. Total height 6 cm. Six E14 bulbs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern lanterns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern lanterns 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 lanterns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern lanterns made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lanterns, popular names associated with this style include L'Aviva Home, Glashütte Limburg, Venini, and Siemon & Salazar. 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. Prices for lanterns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $50,300 while the average work can sell for $2,247.

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