Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color: Gray
Mid-Century Modernist Backlit Mirror / Sconce by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
Located in Kingston, NY
Rare Mid-Century Modernist backlit mirror / sconce designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. It features a circular donut of strings of Lucite pearls with a mirror center.
Made ...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Gianni Celada Italian Designer for Fontana Arte
Located in bari, IT
A wall mirror model Brama by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte.
FontanaArte S.p.A. is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and sp...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Mirror
Triangle Design Opal Glass and Gold Metal Pair of Sconces by WKR, 1970s, Germany
By WKR Leuchten
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Triangle Design Opal Glass and Gold Metal Pair of Sconces by WKR, 1970s, Germany
Very elegant and Minimalist wall lamps
We have 3 lamps. I made the listing as a pair. But there is ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Italian Gold Brass Sciolari Design Minimalist Sculpture
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Gold Brass Sciolari Design Minimalist Sculpture.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
J.T. Kalmar Backlit Mirror Murano Ice Glass & Brass, Austria 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant wall mirror with illuminated background. Manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Austria in the 1960s. The frame is made of Murano ice glass with brass hardware.
Measures: diameter 21...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
MiniPOP Wall Sconce in Brass + Gray Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
MiniPOP wall sconce--a more compact version of our wildly popular 4 foot tall POP wall lamp. Shown in natural brass and our "Pearl" light gray enamel and...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
Pair of Midcentury Blue, Grey and Gold Murano Glass Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This pair of sconces is magnificent. It features large curved glass ribbans in blue-grey iridescent and gold glass. Each piece of glass has been individually handcrafted by craftsmen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Murano Glass
Small Le Corbusier 'Lampe De Marseille Mini' Wall Lamp for Nemo in Gray
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Le Corbusier 'Lampe de Marseille Mini' wall lamp for Nemo in gray.
Designed by Le Corbusier for the Unité d’Habitation of Marseille in 1949/1...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Set of 3 Wall Lamp Gold Inclusion Seguso Flavio Poli, Italy, 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Seguso Italy Flavio Poli design, one of three wall lamp gold inclusion glass years ’60.
Structure brass, in perfect condition A.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Large and Heavy Floral Brass Mirror with Lamps by Vereinigte Werkstätten
Located in München, DE
Extraordinary large, heavy floral brass light mirror.
Manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten. Made in Germany.
Very rare version with floral des...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Le Corbusier 'Lampe de Marseille' Wall Lamp for Nemo in Gray
Located in Glendale, CA
Le Corbusier Lampe de Marseille wall lamp for Nemo in matte gray.
Designed by Le Corbusier for the Unité d’Habitation of Marseille in 1949/1952, th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Le Corbusier Applique de Marseille Wall Lamp for Nemo in Matte Gray
Located in Glendale, CA
Le Corbusier Applique de Marseille wall lamp for Nemo in matte gray.
Le Corbusier designed the Applique de Marseille for his Paris apartment a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Gray
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in gray.
Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-edition...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Huge Vintage Industrial Aluminum Neon TOYS "R" US Marquee Letter U Sign
Located in Lafayette, IN
Wonderful vintage neon letter "U" from a 1980's Toys "R" Us marquee. Letter feature a semi-polished, raw aluminum structure, white neon bulb, external powe...
Category
1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Pair Great Wall Light Lantern Sconces Brss Gold Italian Design 1960 Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair great wall light lantern sconces brass gold Italian Design 1960 glass, 1 light bulb E27 max 80 Watt each.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Large Oval Palwa Backlit Mirror Crystal & Brass by Christoph Palme 1960s Germany
By Christoph Palme, Palwa
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant large illuminated oval backlit mirror with faceted crystals forming petals and flowers on a gilded brass frame. Desinged by Christoph Palme attr. Manufactured by Palwa, Germany, 1960s.
Design: Christoph Palme attr.
Model: Sputnik Mirror...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
MirrLU Lighted Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of Lumfardo Luminaries contemporary collection, the MirrLU is a lighted mirror wall fixture crafted in a Classic Mid-Century Modern design. Crafted from hand perforated brass an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
1960, Germany, Palwa Oval Backlit Mirror Crystal & Gilt Brass by Christoph Palme
By Christoph Palme, Palwa
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant illuminated oval backlit mirror with faceted crystals forming petals and flowers on a gilded brass frame. Desinged by Christoph Palme attr....
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Oki Sato NJP Gray Large Wall Light for Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Oki Sato NJP gray long wall light for Louis Poulsen. Designed by Oki Sato from Japan's Nendo design studio. Provides direct light perfect for modern li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Grey Metal and White Round Glass Single Sconce by BEGA, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Grey metal and white round glass single sconce by BEGA, 1960s, Germany
Lamps are in very good vintage condition.
Wear consistent with age and use
These lamp works with fluores...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
French Lighted Mirror Metal Framework, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Metal lighted mirror with metal framework
French mid-century
This can be rewired to the standard of your choice .
Good vintage condition.
Shipping:
L45 P8 H68 5.6 kg.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Pair of Opaline and Gold Glass Sconces
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of opaline and gold glass demilune sconces.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Murano Glass
Wall Sconce Mid Century Italian Design Brass Glass Gold Old Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Wall sconce mid century Italian design brass glass gold old Stilnovo.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
One of Two Palwa Backlit Mirrors Sconces Wall Lights, Nickel Crystal Glass, 1960
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two high quality and handmade illuminated crystal glass mirrors by Palwa (Palme & Walter), Germany, manufactured in midcentury,...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal
Grey and White Wall Sconce by Preben Dahl for H. F. Belysning, 1960s
By Preben Dahl
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare wall light in characteristic color scheme of Preben Dahl: Grey and white. Its made from powder-coated metal and has acrylic light diffusers to the front and backside. Original...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Illuminated Oval 26" Backlit Mirror Glass & Brass by Hillebrand, Germany 1950s
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant illuminated oval backlit glass mirror with a brass loop frame. Manufactured by Hillebrand, Germany in the 1950s.
Measures: height appr. 26" in. (66 cm), width appr. 17" in....
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
White Wall Sconce by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Large white wall sconce by Lightolier. Signed, USA, circa 1950. Newly rewired and refinished in white satin powdercoat.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Pair Wall Sconces Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Monza 1961 Tortiglioni Gold Brass
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of wall sconces Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Monza 1961 Tortiglioni gold brass white glass, Italian design.
1-light bulb each E27 Max 150 Watt.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Illuminated Oval 1960s Large Wall Mirror with a Brass Frame
Located in München, DE
Beautiful rare oval backlit large metal mirror from the early 1960s. Great glare-free light. Very thick solid polished mirror glass, which is hung ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Large 'Flindt' Indoor or Outdoor Wall Light in Aluminum Gray for Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Large 'Flindt' Indoor or Outdoor Wall Light in Aluminum Gray for Louis Poulsen.
A circular, wall-mounted fixture that brings bold, sculptural illumination to both indoor and outdoor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Pair of Sculptural Wall Sconces 1970 Gold Metal Sciolari
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of sculptural wall sconces 1970 gold metal, Sciolari design, large modernist crystal glass.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Gold Plate
Kalmar Wall Lights Gold and Glass Shades, 1970 Austria Vienna
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar wall lights gold and glass shades, 1970 Austria Vienna
Pair of Kalmar brass wall lights on a steel frame with gold/brass plating a square hollow glass with organically shaped...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Steel
Max Ingrand Mirror
By Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Illuminated mirror by Max Ingrand. Model # 2044, featuring 24 chipped crystal chunks attached to articulating brass arms. Curved back-plate of smoked gray colored glass and cent...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Gilded Brass and Crystal Backlit Mirror by Palwa, 1970
By Palwa
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A high quality and handmade illuminated glass mirror by Palwa, Germany, manufactured in Mid-Century, ca 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). It i...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Wall Sconces Italian Design Murano Glass Franco Luce 1970s Gold Leaves
By Franco Luce
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Wall sconces Italian design Murano glass Franco Luce 1970s gold transparent leaves.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Aluminium Winged Gull Wall Lights or Sculptures
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this pair of circa 1970s cast aluminium seagulls can be used as wall sculptures or update the original electrical sockets for use as wall lights. Sold and priced as a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Clear Layered Glass Sconces by Svend Aage Holm Sorenson
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic large-scale clear multi layer glass sconces with a cubist influence.
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Extra Large Illuminated Mirror
Located in München, DE
Original Mid-Century Modern extra large illuminated mirror with perforated metal frame and brass details. Made in France.
Beautiful design i...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Palwa Backlit Mirror Illuminated, Crystal Nickel Chrome Glass, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful and high quality Mid-Century Modern backlit mirror by Palwa, Germany, manufactured circa 1960.
A nickel-plated brass body is decorated with a ring of cut crystal glass. ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Chrome, Nickel
Gaetano Scolari for Stilnovo Illuminated Wall Mirror, Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Milan, IT
Extraordinary Stilnovo illuminated wall mirror designed by Gaetano Scolari
Reference: Domus No. 407 October 1963
Original label.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
French Pressed Glass Wall Mounted Back Lighted Mirror by Maison Perzel
Located in Chicago, IL
French glass wall-mounted mirror light by Maison Perzel with two interior light sources. The glass is extremely thick and precisely formed. Meant to be recessed into the wall but can...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Pair of Sergio Mazza for Artemide Brown Enameled Wall Lights
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Pair of enameled dark drown wall lights with original glass and brushed aluminum fittings.
Avantgarden Ltd. cultivates unexpected and exceptional lighting, furniture and design. To view items in person please visit our showroom in Pound Ridge...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Pair of Mid-Century White Glass Wall Lights with Gold Plated Embellishment
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of opaque white glass box form wall sconces with gold-plated metal design features. All wiring is new for the US.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Glass
Handblown Mid-Century Modern White and Clear Swirl Murano Glass Wall Sconce
By Murano 5
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Mid-Century Modernist wall sconce features a rounded Murano Glass shade with a white swirl design which covers the brass fitting. With its simple elegant form, this fix...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Blown Glass
Midcentury Palm Beach Glass Flush Mount Light w/ Gray and Coral Flora Motif
Located in San Francisco, CA
Palm Beach style, frosted glass, curved disk wall or ceiling light with printed pale gray and coral flora, 1950s glass newly wired with a 3-light cluster. The price listed is for one...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Mid-century Modern wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, mirrors, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern wall lights and sconces made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include J.T. Kalmar, Glashütte Limburg, Kalmar Lighting, and Serge Mouille. 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 wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $119,007 while the average work can sell for $1,956.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Tall Glass Wall Sconces
Pair Electric Wall Sconces
Gilded Candle Wall Sconce
Pair Of Electric Sconces
Yellow Sconces Italian
Murano And Brass Textured Sconce
Seven Sconces
Wall Lamp 60s
Tree Sconces
Italian Sconces Yellow
Four Arm Sconce
Pair Of Large Kalmar
One Wall Lamp Murano
Mirrored Wall Sconce With Candles
Red French Sconce
Louis Xvi Gold Wall Lights
Vintage Sconces Four
White Italian Wall Sconces Stilnovo