Modernist Wall Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 14.75 in (37.47 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
- 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:Sagaponack, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Sagaponack, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Modernist Wall SconceLocated in Sagaponack, NYA sleek and finely fabricated wall sconce having a sculptural porcelain body and projecting, slightly tapered milk glass shades.Category
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMilk Glass, Porcelain
- 1950s Italian Perforated Wall Sconce by LightolierBy LightolierLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn uncommon wall sconce with a perforated tube core surrounded by a solid tube shade. Original white and black paint. Original Lightolier sticker and stamped "C529A".Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Modernist Wall Sconce by Angelo Lelli for ArredoluceBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Sagaponack, NYA modernist wall light or sconce designed by Angelo Lelli featuring an adjustable chromed magnetic ball and socket light inset into a brushed steel mounting plate. Made by Arredoluc...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel
- 1920s Industrial Adjustable Wall LampLocated in Sagaponack, NYA patinated steel articulating wall lamp with two pivoting arms emanating from a round wall plate supporting an adjustable dome shade.Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel
- 1950s Adjustable Wall Lamps by Gilbert Watrous for HeifetzBy Gilbert Watrous, HeifetzLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn innovative, uncommon and spare pair of wall lamps having chromed arms with adjustable lacquered conical shades. The arms are attached to circular patinated steel mounting plates b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Early 20th Century Cast Bronze Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Russell and Stoll Co.By Russell and Stoll CoLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn excellent cast bronze sconce or ceiling mount lamp with two sockets underneath a glass dome protected by a well designed bronze cage.Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBronze
- Large German Modernist Wall Lamp SconceBy Florian SchulzLocated in Berlin, DEOne of ... large opaline glass and brass wall light by Florian Schulz. Germany. Lamp sockets: 2x E27 (US E26).Category
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum
- Large Modernist Brass Wall Lamp, 1960Located in Paris, FRLarge modernist Italian wall light in brass and glass of the 1960s The wall light is in excellent condition, the glass plate in the l...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Modernist Brass Wall Lamp, France, 1940Located in Paris, FRBeautiful original French Modernist wall light in brass from Art Deco period of the 1940s. The wall light is excellent condition, all the electric parts have bee renewed and fit t...Category
Vintage 1940s French Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Gerald Thurston Scissor Task Lamp Wall SconceBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, task lamp, wall sconce by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier features an adjustable, 5.5 inch diameter, painted metal shade on a brass stem and wall plate with an acc...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
