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Modern Lanterns

MODERN STYLE

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

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Style: Modern
Oak Tetra Floor Light by Hollis & Morris
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Tetra floor light by Hollis & Morris Dimensions: 21" x 21" x H 20" Materials: solid wood, hardwax oil. LED lights. Also available in natural oak, black oak, white oak, and wa...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Lanterns

Materials

Oak

RD15 6 Arms Black Gunmetal Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 6 Arms Black Gunmetal chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: diameter 139 x height 165.1 cm Materials: solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: black gunmetal. Also availab...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Universe Brass Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Universe Brass chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 128 x D 25 x H 87.5 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand blown glass globes Measures: Ceiling plate diameter 19.5 x H 4.5 cm Glass...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

RD15 8 Arms Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 8 Arms Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 200 x H 180 Materials: Solid brass, hand blown glass globes Lamp: 8 x max 10W G4, 12V (bulbs included) ...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

RD15 8 Arms Polished Nickel Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 8 Arms Polished Nickel Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: Diameter 200.3 x H 180 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: Polished Nickel. Also available ...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Nickel

Maillon 3A Led Pendant Light
Located in Westport, CT
Elegant grouping of 3 oval metal rings with integrated LED diffusing a clean natural light. Soft white 3000K. 31 Watts – 110 lumens / watt Dimmable. Can be customized. Standard finish options available. Dimensions: Adjustable cables length through a push-pin locking...
Category

2010s Modern Lanterns

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s Sciolari Italy Production Set Two Vintage Space Desk Glass Lamps
Located in Biella, IT
Sciolari Italy production set two vintage space age desk lamps years 70 glass optical structure material is brass and gold metal color with oxi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Large Light’In Lantern by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Light’In lantern by Lassen Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 28 cm Materials: Metal Also available in different dimensions. Weight: 2.00 Kg With a sharp sense of contemporary Functionalist style, Mogens Lassen designed the iconic Kubus candleholder in 1962, a piece once reserved solely for family and close architect colleagues. In 1983 he reapproached his own geometric candleholders...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Galatea Small Hand-Braided Lantern by Riviere x Giobagnara
Located in New York, NY
For nearly twenty years, the Giobagnara brand has combined traditional know-how and leading-edge technology to produce elegance of the highest standard. With luxurious creations avai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lanterns

Materials

Leather

Universe Black Gunmetal Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Black gunmetal 3 arm contemporary chandelier by Schwung. Dimensions: D 25 x W 128.2 x H 178 cm. Materials: solid brass, hand-blown glass globes. Finish: black gunmetal. Also ava...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Modern Mill Table Lamp, Brushed Brass, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 mill table lamps, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Mill is a modern lighting concept and an attractive addition to a modern home. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lanterns

Materials

Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

"Il Pezzo 3 Floor Lamp" - nickel - crystal - LEDs
Located in Firenze, IT
Inspired by Arabic calligraphic art and the icon of the classical candelabrum is Il Pezzo 3, a collection of lamps with a hand-forged brass stru...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lanterns

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Nickel

Soap 6 Dt Brass Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass 6 arm sculptural chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: D 117.4 x W 117.4 x H 173.1 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: natural brass. Also available in f...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Brushed Satin Nickel Emil Lantern - Small
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The scaled-down version of our Emil Wall Lantern provides versatility both indoors and out. Clean bent brass lines update this classic lantern with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMEN...
Category

2010s American Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Universe Polished Nickel Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished nickel 3 arm Contemporary chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: D 25 x W 128.2 x H 178 cm Materials: solid brass, hand-blown glass globes. Finish: polished nickel. Also a...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Nickel

RD15 6 Arms Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 6 Arms chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 138 x D 138 x H 165 Materials: Solid brass, hand blown glass globes Schwung is a German word, and loosely ...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

RD15 6 Arms Polished Nickel Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Nickel 6 arm chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: Diameter 139 x Height 165.1 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Fin...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Nickel

RD15 12 Arms Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 12 Arms Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 140 x D 140 x H 290 Materials: Solid Brass, Hand Blown Glass Globes Schwung is a german word, and loosely defined, means energy...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Universe Brass Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass 3 arm contemporary chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: D 25 x W 128.2 x H 178 cm Materials: solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: solid natural brass. Also available...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Soap 6 DT Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Soap 6 DT Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 117 x D 117 x H 173 cm Materials: Metal, hand blown glass globes Finishes: Polished nickel Other finishes available: Black gunmetal...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

RD15 3 Arms Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
RD15 3 Arms Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 99 x D 99 x H 53 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand blown glass globes Lamp: 3 LED 1,6W Extension Rods: 1 x 15.24, 1 x 27.9 cm, 1 x...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Maillon 3C LED Wall Light
Located in Westport, CT
Elegant grouping of 3 oval metal rings with integrated LED diffusing a clean natural light. Soft white 3000K. 1800 lumens. Dimmable.
Category

2010s Modern Lanterns

Materials

Stainless Steel

Large German Silver-Plated Hanging Lantern by WMF
Located in London, GB
Large German silver-plated hanging lantern by WMF German, c.1920 Height 90cm, diameter 24cm Consisting of a round pointed gadrooned finial suspended by curb chains and surmounte...
Category

Early 20th Century German Modern Lanterns

Materials

Silver Plate

Soap B7 MD Polished Nickel Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Nickel 7 arm chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 150.2 x D 23 x H 173.4 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Max wa...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Soap 6 DT Black Gunmetal Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Gunmetal 6 arm sculptural Chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: D 117.4 x W 117.4 x H 173.1 cm Materials: Solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: Black Gunmetal. Also avai...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

RD15 3 Arms Black Gunmetal Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Black gunmetal 3 arm chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: W 97.8 x D 97.8 x H 143 cm Materials: solid brass, hand blown glass globes Lamp: 3...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Universe Black Gunmetal Chandelier by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Black gunmetal 3 arm contemporary chandelier by Schwung Dimensions: D 25 x W 128.2 x H 178 cm Materials: solid brass, hand-blown glass globes Finish: black gunmetal. Also avai...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

Monumental Table or Sideborad Lamp by Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in PARIS, FR
A monumental table or sidebord lamp attributes to Luigi Caccia Dominioni. With all the characteristics of the designer : a disc-shaped lampshade in painted iron on an opaline glass g...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Iron

Glass Pendant by Peter Pelzel for Vistosi
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Glass pendant lamp by Peter Pelzel for Vistosi, Italy circa 1961, exterior shade in green glass with white glass interior diffuser, with hardware in brass...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Metal

Modern lanterns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern lanterns made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Czech Republic pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lanterns, popular names associated with this style include Jiri Krejcirik, Atelier Boucquet, Corinna Warm, and WARM. 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 $66 and tops out at $31,289 while the average work can sell for $4,400.

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