Elusive Modernist Outdoor Sconces Attributed to Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
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Elusive Modernist Outdoor Sconces Attributed to Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Maker)
- Attributed to:Gerald Thurston (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.78 in (29.93 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062422412732
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.
- Modernist Triennale Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for LightolierBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Buffalo, NYBeautiful and extremely well made three shade floor lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Made of brass and black painted metal, each shade retains its original metal swir...Category
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- Elegant White Modernist Trumpet Base Table Lamp Gerald Thurston, LightolierBy Laurel Lamp Company, Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Buffalo, NYElegant white modernist trumpet base table lamp attributed to Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Lacquered metal trumpet shape base with a...Category
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- 30 Flared Modernist Hour-glass Anodized Aluminum Wall Sconces, LightolierBy LightolierLocated in Buffalo, NYGroup of 30 matching Flared Modernist Hour-glass Anodized Aluminum Wall Sconces, possibly made by Lightolier.. Classic design and styling,, Up / down lighting,, Priced per lamp,, dis...Category
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- Elusive Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp, Italian PotteryBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Buffalo, NYElusive Lightolier ceramic and brass table lamp, Italian pottery attributed to Gerald Thurston, stunning modernist decorative Italian pottery vessel atop atomic formed brass base.Category
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- Pair of Lightolier Chrome Tube Sconces, 1970s Space Age, AtomicBy LightolierLocated in Buffalo, NYGreat pair of chromed tube sconces, Swiss made for Lightolier. Rare eight-bulb configuration, very atomic, Space Age design.Category
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- Mid-Century Modern 3-Cone "Hourglass" Hanging Pendant Attributed to LightolierBy LightolierLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Mid-Century Modern 3-Cone "hourglass" hanging pendant chandelier attributed to LIGHTOLIER, unusual combination of fiberglass and brass. 70" standard. Can be shortened to desi...Category
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- Gerald Thurston Lightolier Wall Sconce LampBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonThese lamps were covered outdoors, so we had to paint them and remove the rust. They need to be rewired and change where the bulbs screw in.Category
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- Wall Light Sconce Gerald Thurston LightolierBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYLarge wall light sconce Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Handcrafted glass with white and gold colored glass overlay creating a bursting display...Category
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- Gerald Thurston pulley light for LightolierBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Los Angeles, CAremember we have over three thousand antique sconces and over one thousand antique lights, we can not put everything on 1stdibs, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights, ask us we might have it in our store, also we have our line of wrought iron reproduction sconces or chandeliers, or we can do your own design A nice pulley light...Category
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- Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass SconcesBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Chicago, ILPair of brass double hurricane sconces by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Each solid brass sconce has a double hurricane shade, with the inner ...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Modernist Cylinder Table or Floor SconceBy Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Ferndale, MIWhite lacquer cylinder form with pie slice opening on backside. Design by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Lamp appears to be as new...Category
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- Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige "Cricket" Desk Lamp, Circa 1955By Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Beige Cricket Table Lamp, Wall Lamp. Featuring an adjustable perforated dome Bakelite Shade in Coffe...Category
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