Mid-Century Modern Lighting
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.
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5,712
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4,248
28,046
14,828
43,821
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19,086
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5,697
2,660
2,590
1,311
1,189
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667
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564
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Number in Set: Single Piece
Stunning Florian Schulz Double DUOS Brass Pendant Lamp with Side Counter Weights
Located in Berlin, DE
Really beautiful Florian Schulz double posa pendant lamp with one E 27 / model a bulb in polished brass. Each lamp and newly wired.
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Florian Schulz Double Onos 55-Pendant Lamp with Side Counter Weights
Located in Berlin, DE
Really beautiful Florian Schulz double Onos 55-pendant lamp with one E27 / model for each lamp 100 Watt bulbs.
Also available in US wired.
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Norwegian Functionalist Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful and decorative light in opaline glass with chrome metal base. Designed and made in Norway from ca 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in very good vintage condi...
Category
1950s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Murano Glass Mushroom Lamp by Peil and Putzler
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Murano glass mushroom lamp by Peil and Putzler. This is hand blown Italian Murano glass, imported to Germany and made by Peil and Putzler in the ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Ralph Lauren Polo Advertisement Display Lighting
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Ralph Lauren Polo Advertisement Store Display Light
Mid-Century Wooden Table Light from Ralph Lauren with Unbeatable Patina.
This vintage Polo tabletop light makes a wonderful stat...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Rope Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A surrealist rope table lamp with hessian shade. Circa 1980's France.
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Rope
Black Hebi (Snake) Lamp, 1970s
By Isao Hosoe
Located in London, GB
This icon of 20th century design was created in 1970 by Japanese engineer and designer Isao Hosoe for Valenti, Italy.
Structure in flexible metal that can be twisted in every direc...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Lampada Leucos Febo Roberto Pamio e Toso
Located in Napoli, NA
Lampada modello Febo
Di Roberto pamio e toso
Leucos
Originale 1970
Design lab
Vetro di Murano fatto a mano e marmo
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Marble
Tripod ceramic floor lamp, France 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Metal and ceramic tripod Floor Lamp: a discovery from the 1960s.
Featuring a metal tripod base, this lamp boasts two plant holders or cups and an ashtray holder crafted in black and...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Stilnovo Pendant, Italy 1950's
By Stilnovo
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian pendant fabricated by Stilnovo in the 1950s.
A beautiful hand blown glass shade in milk glass combined with a brass and black metal body.
Very good vintage condit...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Emil Stejnar Snowball Sputnik Snowflake Chandelier Newly Rewired for USA
By Emil Stejnar
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
A rare 10 light snowflake sputnik chandelier designed by Emill Stejnar for Nikoll. This will be arriving completely newly rewired with certified US UL sockets for USA and ready to h...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Fantastic Murano Glass Tube Chandelier - 36 pink glass tube
By Venini
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage chandelier in Murano glass and nickel-plated metal structure. The armor polished nickel supports 36 large pink glass tubes in a star shape.
Period: late XX century
Di...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Radius Hanging Lamp by Eric Balsev for Fog & Mørup Danmark 70's
By Erik Balslev
Located in Berlin, DE
Dänische Deckenleuchte, die in den 1970er Jahren von Erik Balslev für Fog & Morup entworfen wurde. Der zweifarbige gebrannte orange und braune Lack verleiht jedem Raum einen Hauch vo...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Restored 1960 Vintage Floor Lamp: Mid-Century Modern Elegance
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the timeless elegance of our modern vintage 1960 floor lamp, skillfully restored to its original splendor. Composed of brass, wood, and metal, this exquisite lamp has been...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid century brass German floor lamp, 1960s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid century brass German floor lamp, 1960s
The frame is made of brass
Height: 140 cm
Diameter : : 26 cm
shade Height : 64 cm
Good condition with old signs of wear
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Space Age Mushroom Table Lamp by Herda, Mid Century Modern
By Herda
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
A cute classic mushroom table lamp by the Dutch brand Herda in white/beige colour. The classy white mushroom shade produces a nice and warm light. The lamp requires one E27 (standard...
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Mid century brass German arc floor Flex lamp By München Werkstätten, 1960s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid century brass German Arc floor Flex lamp By München Werkstätten, 1960s
The frame is made of brass, with flex arm
Height: 147 cm
Diameter: 50 cm...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Nerone & Patuzzi ‘C9 105 LP’ Marble lighting Sculpture for Forme e Superfici
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare 'C9 105 LP' marble light sculpture by Nerone & Patuzzi for Forme e Superfici, Italy 1970s. The lamp is crafted out of solid Carrara marble showing an artistic engraved graphic l...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble
Floor Lamp in Chrome with two Arms, by Dominici, Brazilian Mid-Century Design
By Dominici
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This mid-20th century floor lamp features a sleek design typical of the era, with a focus on functional simplicity and the use of modern materials such as steel and chrome. The lamp ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Achille Castiglioni, Lampadina Small Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
Its name means, literally, "bulb," and it's easy to see why with one look at this playful 1972 Achille Castiglioni design. This unique table lamp provides direct and diffused light t...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Red Iron Double Sconces After Jean Royere, France 1950
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sconces in red painted steel, nice patina. Reminiscent of the creations of Jean Royere. Two pairs are available.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Iron
Outstanding Large Oval Shaped Multi-Color Triedi Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Murano chandelier made by Murano crystal multicolored triedi prism on six levels with copper color metal frame.
The glasses are amber, transparent, , smoky, amber, gold, ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Glass
1 of the 4 Leola Sculptural Brass 5-Light Ceiling or Wall Flush Mount, 1970s
By Leola
Located in Rijssen, NL
Gorgeous Sciolari style ceiling or wall flush mount by Leola. Made with polished brass, Germany, 1960s.
Can be used as ceiling flushmount or as expressive wall light.
The light fix...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Flying Saucer Adjustable Red Desk Lamp, Italian
Located in London, GB
The sleek flat base, a hallmark of mid-century aesthetics, provides stability and a sense of balance to the lamp's unique form. Adding a touch of elegance to the design is the beauti...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vintage hanging lamp with cylindrical white glass shade, 1950s
Located in EINDHOVEN, NL
The white glass shade has vertical lines
which gives a nice playful effect.
Height: 80 cm.
Ø: 20 cm.
Glass shade height: 41 cm.
This lamp has a new large
bulb holder (E27) and threa...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Rare Barovier Flower Ceiling Lamp, Murano Art Glass
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Fantastic and fabulous of vintage Barovier and Toso Murano Italy art glass ceiling light. The rare lamp is made of 24 mouth-blown hand-formed leaf-form clear glass panels plus a huge...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
1970s Pair of Chrome and Glass Wall Lights by G. Sciolary, Italy
Located in London, GB
The Pair of Chrome and Glass Wall Lights designed by Gaetano Sciolari, crafted in Italy during the 1970s, is a testament to the enduring c...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Rare Isamu Noguchi Mid Century Modern Paper First Edition 75D Akari Japan Lamp
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Discover the timeless allure of the Isamu Noguchi Akari Lamp, model 75D, a pendant lamp designed around 1950 and manufactured by Ozeki & Co. Ltd. in Japan. This mid-century modern ma...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Paper
1950s Swedish Brass With Beech Five Arm Chandelier With Frosted Art Glass Shades
By ASEA, Hans Bergström
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Swedish Chandelier made of brass and beech attributed to Hans Bergstrom For ASEA Sweden.
Each arm has a beautiful frosted art glass shade with golden details / arrows. Five screw fit...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fantastic Glass Tube Chandelier - 36 Albaster Pink Glasses
By Mazzega
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage glass chandelier with alabaster pink glass tubes. The armor polished nickel supports 36 large glass tubes in a star shape. The alabaster technique created in Venetian...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Lamapade GREEN TILES
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of "TEGOLINE VERDI" lamps by Roberto Giulio Rida
"Green Tile" table lamps are part of a small collection of lamps in the following colors: gold, green and blue. Each pair is un...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Bronze Metal Table Lamp Arredoluce, Italy, 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Impressing and large table / desk lamp in brushed aluminum with bronze effect dating back to the 70s.
The gooseneck stem and the finish of the lampshade are reminiscent of the brass...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Elegant Murano Poliedri ceiling light - Carlo Scarpa - smoked glasses
By Mazzega
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Elegant Italian ceiling light made from 84 beautiful Murano smoked glasses "poliedri". Structure in gold and brass colored metal.
Period: late xx century
Dimensions: 17,70 inches (45...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Vintage black and white 5-armed chandelier, 1950's/1960's
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a very elegant chandelier from the 1950's or 1960's. It has black painted arms holding 5 opaline glass chalices that gives a beautiful diffused illumination. It is very likel...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Limburg 1 of a Pair Geometric White & Clear Glass 1970s Flush Mount Lights Lamps
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
One of a pair of vintage, minimalist German made wall or ceiling flush mount light fixtures by Glashütte Limburg, circa 1970s. The simple, yet striking, clean lined minimalist design...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Bespoke Elegant Italian "Selene Maxi" Pendant in bronze and selenite
Located in Milano, IT
The Selene range is the result of our project of combining light with a particular apotropaic stone - Selenite: a mineral chalk whose surface presents defined and irregular striation...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Stone, Bronze
Isamu Noguchi Akari 55A Pendant Lamp: Timeless Japanese Elegance
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Experience the timeless elegance of the Isamu Noguchi Akari 55A Pendant Lamp, a design masterpiece that transcends generations. Created in 1951...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Paper
Veneziana 5 tiers chandelier, 41 Opaline glass elements by Piattelli. US wiring
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Drawing on decades of experience in lighting, my aim was to fashion a chandelier that seamlessly marries timeless elegance with practicality.
This listing is for the US wired UL com...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Glass, Opaline Glass
V Zecchin Murano pendant circa 1920
Located in PARIS, FR
Exquisite light green Murano pendant attributed to Vittorio Zecchin Italy circa
1920
3 arms,
Beautifull vintage condition
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Glass
French Mid Century Ceiling Light with Three Floral Shades
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Mid Century Ceiling Light with Three Floral Shades
This delightful French Three Light bronzed ceiling light features th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Suspension lamp mod. Lampiatta by Stilnovo, De Pas D'Urbino Lomazzi, 1971
Located in Milano, IT
Lampiatta model hanging lamp designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi, in 1971 for Stilnovo. The lampshade is made of metal painted white both inside and outside. It bears the original ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Italian Chrome Table Lamp by Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very large vintage Italian chrome table lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg. This was manufactured in Italy by Sirrah, it dates from the 1970’s.
This is the very ra...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Brass and Marble Floor Lamp
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage brass and marble floor lamp, most likely made in Italy and dating from the 1970’s.
It is beautifully made, the brass frame sits on a gorgeous marble base. There a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Floor Lamp, Swedish modern, 1940ts
Located in Hammarö, SE
Nice lamp, Swedish modern.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
1 of 3 Mushroom Shaped Glass Lamp in Chrome, Germany 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
1 of 3 Mushroom Shaped Glass Lamp in Chrome, Germany 1960s
Dimensions
Height: 7.08 in. (18 cm)
Diameter: 10.23 in. (26 cm)
The fixture need 1 x E27 standard bulb with 60W max.
Lig...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vintage fractal resin lamp, 1970, France
Located in TOURS, FR
Rare fractal resin table lamp, 1970, France
Similar to Pierre Giraudon, Marie-Claude de Fouquières, Henri Fernandez, François Godebski...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Resin
Pair of floor lamps in brass and lacquered metal produced by Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Hammarö, SE
Pair of floor lamps in brass and lacquered metal produced by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Markaryd, Sweden, 1970s. Very good condition.
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Sconces by Sylcom, 60s
By Sylcom
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sylcom Murano production, set of three Murano Graniglia glass appliques, each composed of three leaves, each applique is equipped with two lamp holders for E14 bulbs, we can make the...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Murano Art Glass and Brass Smoky Color Wall Light, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very original Murano glass wall lamp with a very elongated design of the glass plate and a unique smoky color.
The applique is composed of a gold-colored metal structure to which on...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
"Parola" Table Lamp from Studio Tetrarch, 1968
Located in Napoli, IT
"Parola" table lamp from Studio Tetrarch, 1968
Bibliography: Casa Amica by Giuliana Gramigna.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Svend Aage Holm Sørensen floor lamp in metal, 1950's.
Located in Espergærde, 84
Svend Aage Holm Sørensen (1913-2004), Very nice and subtle grasshopper shaped floor lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen, manufactured by Holm Sørensen & Co, Denmark 1950. This ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp, Metal and Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp,Metal and Glass, Italy, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
1970s Vintage Italian Brass & Chrome Floor Lamp
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and extremely well made 1970’s vintage Italian brass & chrome lamp.
The quality is outstanding, the frame is beautifully designed and the metal has acquired a beautiful ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair of table lamps "TEGOLINE AMBRA"
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of lamps "TEGOLINE AMBRA"
Brass structures patinated and protected with clear lacquer, made handcrafted and specifically to accommodate the pair of glass vintage amber curved ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Lampada vetro di murano '80
Located in Roma, IT
Lampada a forma di funga di grandi dimensioni
La lampada e vetro di murano di colore bianco con striature trasparenti crea una luce morbida
La lampada e alta 38 cm con un diametro ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Chrome & Opaline Glass floor lamp by VeArt, Italy 1970s
By VeArt
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Large chrome & opaline glass floor lamp by VeArt, Italy 1970s. Unusual design composed of primary shaped elements such as a glass cone, a cylindrical base and column with their squar...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Impressive three-Tier Murano SMOKED Glass Tube Chandelier - 52 glasses
By Mazzega
Located in Budapest, HU
Italian vintage chandelier in Murano glass and nickel-plated metal structure. The armor polished nickel supports 52 large SMOKED glass tubes in a star shape.
Period: late XX century
...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Table Lamp Model 2468 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2468 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Brass with cotton shades.
Stamped.
Model 2468 is a delightful brass table lamp with three small shades in green, yellow, and red. The lamp has an elegant brass base with three stems that hold the shades at different heights. Because of its tricolour shades, it is known as the “traffic light lamp”. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1950s, this lamp has become a timeless Svenskt Tenn collectable.
H: 54 cm
W: 42 cm
Shade D: 15 cm
Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”.
Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design.
Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style.
What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist.
Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best sellers long after Frank was forced to hand the company over in 1938 after the Third Reich annexation of Austria.
When Josef and Anna had moved to Sweden Frank had struck up a working relationship with Design shop owner Estrid Ericson. Ericson was the proprietor of Svenskt Tenn that at this point was a successful interiors shop in Stockholm with the royal warrant of appointment to the Swedish Royal Household.
In 1935 Frank had become the chief designer for Svenskt Tenn and had set about putting all of his creative effort into his designs for the company. At the World Expositions in Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939 the world saw for the first time the wealth of products that Frank had been working on, ranging from candlesticks to cabinets, there was not a domestic object that Frank had not subjected to his colourful, comfortable and organic style of Modernism.
Frank’s new school of Modernism championed ideas such as chairs having a freeing, open back and that “If one desires the room to be comfortable…all pieces of furniture should allow for a free view of the separating line between the floor and the wall. A cabinet without legs breaks this line and thus reduces the feeling of space.” A world-wide audience tired of classic Modernism’s furniture with solid planes and aggressive forms leapt upon these ideas and Franks natural and bright designs for Svenskt Tenn became internationally desired.
Frank created over 2000 designs for Svenskt Tenn and his products continue to be the core of their brand. Frank’s rejections of tubular metal and heavy lacquers within his furniture have insured his unique light form of Modernism continues to influence and flourish today. His natural toned mahogany and walnut pieces along with his tactile leather covered and brightly shaded lighting still bring the forms of nature back into the home. Original Frank pieces are now increasingly rare, highly desirable and are the epitome of “Scandinavian Design”. Renowned Designer and Academic Isle Crawford...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-century Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern lighting>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, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include J.T. Kalmar, Fabio Ltd, Glashütte Limburg, and Kalmar Lighting. 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 $45 and tops out at $355,000 while the average work can sell for $2,150.
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