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International Style Lighting

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back. 

Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings. 

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture

The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.

“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design. 

Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: International Style
Arco Lamp, Black Edition, by Rain, Contemporary Wall Lamp, Stainless Steel
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Arco lamps are made from a prolonged section of circle that stand out by the discontinuity of its shape. The collection consists of lamps that seem to penetrate the surfaces they...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ferrão Pendant Lamp, 150cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão lamps are composed of a metallic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also se...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Ferrão Pendant Lamp, 210cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão lamps are composed of a metallic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also se...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Ferrão Wall Lamp, 210cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Chrome
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão lamps are composed of a metallic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also se...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Heavy Silver Plated Standard or Floor Lamp This lamp is a statuesque piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy Silver Plated Standard or Floor Lamp This lamp is a statuesque piece, silver-plated on brass with a very large faceted central column, the top of the lamp simulates a candle ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique International Style Lighting

Materials

Silver Plate

Ferrão Pendant Lamp, 210cm, by Rain, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Chrome
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão Lamps are composed of a metallic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also se...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Ferrão Wall Lamp 180cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão lamps are composed of a metalic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also ser...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Orbe Table Lamp, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass & Aluminium, Black & Red
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
ORBE is a table lamp with indirect light, designed to provide soft illumination to the environment. The piece has a simple structure, composed by the minimum required for its func...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Ferrão Wall Lamp, 180cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Chromed
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão Lamps are composed of a metalic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also ser...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Nessen Teak and Steel Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Classic modernist icon table lamp by Nessen Studios. This lamp has a solid teak vertical standard with brushed steel base. Working, clean, and original condition, shade not included....
Category

1960s American Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Steel

Samuel Marx Pair of Unique Custom Sconces from the Morton D May House St. Louis
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique pair of sconces from the entrance hall of the Samuel Marx designed masterpiece home of retail magnate and art patron Morton D. May. Sold with photocopy of original blueprint i...
Category

1940s American Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Steel

Cordless Saint Louis Table Light With Vintage Pucci Silk Lampshade Col. MOP
Located in Hamburg, DE
THE LAMP CREATED BY STUDIO LIVIA IS A UNIQUE PIECE. THE VINTAGE SAINT LOUIS LAMP BASE IN CLEAR CRYSTAL HAS A ROUND TWISTET SHAPE AND FINDS A PERFECT ENDORSMENT BY THE PATTERN OF THE LAMPSHADE MADE FROM AN VINTAGE EMILIO PUCCI SCARF (1970) . The Mark Saint Louis Is Encraved In The Base Of The Lampbase. THE LAMP HAS THE ADVANTAGE TO BE CORDLESS AND CAN BE INSTALLED IN EVERY PLACE - THE CORD WILL NOT DISTURB YOUR EYES AND OF COURSE PERFECT FOR PLACES WITHOUT A .PLUG SCOCKET NEARBY - AS THE PULB HAS IN THE SOCKET A RECHARABLE CELL. THE BULP CAN BE DIMMED ON 3 DIFFEREND LEVELS. THE CHARGING IS EASY: YOU REMOVE THE BLUB FROM THE SOCKET, ATTACH THE CABLE AND PLUG IN A POWER SOCKET. THE FULLY CHARGED AKKU LAST 18 HOURS. THE LAMPSHADE MADE FROM A VINTAGE PUCCI SCARF...
Category

2010s German International Style Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Large Moser Gilt and Cut-Glass Column Table Lamp, Early 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large moser gilt and cut-glass column table lamp 1st half of 20th century. Facet cut and gilt tapered column on spreading foot with thistle-shape...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech International Style Lighting

Materials

Glass

Tall Pair Nessen Studios Chrome & Dark Portoro Marble "Skyscraper" Table Lamps
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Architectural pair of Nessen Studios Chrome and Marble "Pinnacle" Desk Table Lamps, 1950's. Small footprint. Featuring reflective cylindrical double diametric, Chrome stems a top ro...
Category

1950s American Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Marble, Chrome, Metal

Large Modernist 12 Light Chandelier with Tinted Glass Ball Shades Ca. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Impressive modernist chandelier having three tiers, of four globes each, with a total of twelve hanging globes. The fixture has a center pole shaft of steel, in black finish, from wh...
Category

Mid-20th Century American International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Brass Two Branch Wall Light, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A brass two-branch wall light, 20th century With two scrolling branches issuing from an urn with a sprouting flame, all on a carved wood plate w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown International Style Lighting

Materials

Wood

Table lamp attributed to Ercole Barovier circa 1940 "Primavera" Murano glass
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp in Murano glass attributed to Ercole Barovier "Primavera" glass circa 1950
Category

1940s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Chrome Lamp with Burlap Shade by Nessen Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chrome lamp with burlap shade by Nessen Lighting. Dimensions listed (14 in. diameter x 22 in. tall) are the overall dimensions of the lamp with the shade.
Category

1960s American Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Hanging Glass Globe on Spun Steel Stem
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Globe hangs from steel stem, attributed to Nessen Studios.
Category

1960s American Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pair of Space Age lamps by ANVIA, Pop Art - Holland 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of lamps made of red enameled metal and white plexiglass. Perfect condition with its original color from the 1970s.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Metal

Venini Murano glass pair of sconces circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of Venini sconces in Murano glass circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Ferrão 7/8" Pendant Lamp, 190cm, by RAIN, Contemporary Lamp, Brass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Ferrão 7/8 is an edition made in turned solid brass of the Ferrão line, launched in 2018. The pieces have small differences from the original design, with their reduced thickness and...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mme Journel brazilian chrome 1950 metal table lamps.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Mme Journel brazilian chrome 1950 metal pair of table lamps.
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Table Lamp With Lamp Shade In Hand Marbled Silk
Located in Hamburg, DE
The crystal ball is mounted an a chrome base Size crystal base 10cm Dia x 120cm H including bulb socked Total height table lamp: base with lamp shade 40cm, Lamp shade is hand crafted...
Category

1630s French Antique International Style Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Ferrão Pendant Lamp, 180cm, by Rain, Contemporary Lamp, Aluminium, Chrome
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Ferrão Lamps are composed of a metallic body with a reduced diameter and sharp tips, referring to the image of a sting. The spike-shaped ends give the pieces tension, but also se...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Sevres table lamp in handmade glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
France table lamp in handmade glass attributed to Sevres circa 1950
Category

1950s French Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Murano glass table lamp Paolo Venini
Located in Hyvinkää, FI
Paolo Venini’s glass table lamp is a stunning piece of art, crafted with exquisite Murano glass. The lamp features vibrant colors and unique shapes, showcasing the skillful artistry ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique International Style Lighting

Materials

Glass

Large Pair of Mediterranean Style Wrought Iron Sconces
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very stylish large pair of traditional Mediterranean style wrought and cast iron wall sconces with the original black and gold paint. These have been recently re-wired and are read...
Category

Early 20th Century American International Style Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Stunning Vintage Porcelain Table Lamps – Italian Style, Floral Design
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
Elevate your interior with this exquisite pair of large white porcelain table lamps, standing an impressive 66 cm tall. Featuring an elegant floral and leaf motif in sculptural relie...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Dominici table lamp in glass, metal and marble.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original table lamp by Dominici signed in the base.
Category

1970s Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Glass

Hans Kogl 1970 brass table lamp
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp by Hans Kogl in brass for two lamps circa 1970
Category

1970s German Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Brass

Eugenio Restelli pair of tables lamp circa 1960 style Gabriela Crespi.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
fantastic table lamp signed Eugenio Restelli circa 1960 in the style of Gabriella Crespi.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Metal

Set of Two Lamps Iron and Glass Déjà Vu Designed by Rob Nollet
By Robert Nollet 1
Located in Doornspijk, NL
An elegant set of Dutch table lamps designed by Rob Nollet in the 1980s. The heavy cast iron base holds a bending arm in which the yellow glass lampshad...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch International Style Lighting

Materials

Iron

Venini table lamp in orange Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big table lamp in Murano glass orange attributed to Venini&C. circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso Murano glass blue and gold 1950 "sfumato oro" table lamp pair.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of table lamps in Murano Glass by ARHIMEDE SEGUSO sfumato oro circa 1950. Fantastic.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso table lamp with gold and applied glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso with gold and applied glass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Jorge Zalszupin pair of table lamps in Jacaranda and acrylic circa 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and rare pair of table lamps in Jacaranda and acrylic in perfect conditions very charm
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Wood

Wall Lamp Sconce in Gold Patina and White Lamp Shades
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Wall lamp sconce in gold patina and white lamp shades, wooden baze in chestnut. Four lampshade in white fabric and golden braid. Information about the covid 19. At this point, the w...
Category

2010s French International Style Lighting

Materials

Metal

Fontana Arte 1960 glass, marble and wood table lamp.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible FONTANA ARTE italian 1960 white glass, marble and wood table lamp.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Marble

TASCA italian lamp in porcelain masque multicolor painted circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible TASCA porcelain italian masque multicolor table lamp circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Table Lamp
Located in Long Island, NY
An Italian beautiful Table Lamp Unique .
Category

Early 2000s Italian International Style Lighting

Materials

Fabric

Italian  Table Lamp
Italian  Table Lamp
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Saarinen table lamp in glass and metal attributed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible table lamp attributed to Eero Saarinen in glass and metal lacquered.
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Large Italian ceramic floor lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Beautiful Italian table lamp. Guido Bitossi established the “Manifattura Maioliche Artistiche” in 1921, producing typical local crafts. Traditional production was revived under the a...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Vintage Design Lamps in White Enamelled Sheet Metal, circa 1970
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this stunning pair of vintage lamps in white enamelled sheet metal, dating from the second half of the 20th century (circa 1970-198...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Lighting

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Steel

International Style lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Brazil, and South America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Bontempi Casa, Nessen Studio, Archimede Seguso, and Stilnovo. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $275 and tops out at $21,000 while the average work can sell for $2,100.

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