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Modern Lighting

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Creator: Flos
Creator: Bergboms
FLOS Romeo Moon S2 Fluorescent Pendant Light by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In the hands of Philippe Starck, this iconic design received a modern update through the use of the latest technology and most innovative materials. Featuring a fluted glass shade that is perfectly suited to any design style, the Romeo Moon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Black Leather Belt Ceiling Light for Flos, Italy, 2021
Located in Miami, FL
Versatile modern ceiling light withe a led light frame rendered in extruded aluminum hanging from black leather strapping by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Flos, Italy 2021
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Tatou S1 Pendant Light in Bronze by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the Tatou family, this exceptional style gets its name from the French for “armadillo,” a tribute to the unassuming animal whose brilliant structure keeps it protected and makes it unique. Like the other pieces in this collection, designer Patricia Urquiola conceptualized this pendant lamp to play on the filtration of light, with remarkable results. The Tatou-S offers diffused light and has an exterior diffuser in PC (polycarbonate). Its internal diffuser is injection-printed opal PC. The socket accommodates either a compact fluorescent or a halogen lamp bulb. Inspiration behind the design: “The process began by looking for different ways to reconstruct membranes, conceived like Japanese armor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

FLOS Skygarden S1 Halogen Pendant Light in Brown by Marcel Wanders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Imagine a stunning display blooming above you: Created by Marcel Wanders, the Skygarden S is just that. A gracefully hanging hemisphere, the pendant lamp makes a powerful impression with its sheer size. However, it is the inner diffuser in white painted cast plaster that steals the show. Standing beneath it, you will see the intricate design that gives this piece its name. The Skygarden’s plaster diffuser support is die...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Abatina, Table Lamp, Flos, 1981
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa (1935-2011 & 1935-) « Abatina » An aluminum, PVC and fabric table lamp. With two vertical paired half-cylinder fabric shades with a colored fabric border. The i...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Fabric

FLOS Mod 265 Wall Lamp in White by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Seeming to defy gravity, the Mod 265 wall lamp by designer Paolo Rizzatto is in a category all its own. The lamp head—which rotates 360-degrees so that it can ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Flos Skygarden S2 Halogen Pendant Light in Gold by Marcel Wanders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Imagine a stunning display blooming above you: Created by Marcel Wanders, the Skygarden S is just that. A gracefully hanging hemisphere, the pendant lamp makes a powerful impression ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Flos 2097/50 Suspension Lamp in Matte Black by Gino Sarfatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos 2097/50 suspension lamp in Matt Black by Gino Sarfatti Material: Brass and steel Lamp type: Incandescent Lamp included: Yes Light source: 50 x 15W...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 3 Cylinders by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light short cylinders by Flos is the latest in the series of inventive lighting fixtures envisioned and executed by master designer Konstantin Grcic. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with Cylinder & Bowl by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light with bowl shade, created by renowned designer Konstantin Grcic for Flos, is an innovative lighting system that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS OK Pendant Light in Yellow by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pendant light that feels as at home in an industrial space as it would in museum exhibit: The OK Light plays with expectations to provide functional light that is surprising and ea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Ktribe S2 Halogen Pendant Light in Aluminized Silver by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A member of the Ktribe family of products, this inspiring table light provides diffused light through a transparent diffuser that gracefully moves the eye upward. The base, rod, and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

Flos Aim Small Pendant Light in White by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like the others in the AIM family created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM-Small ceiling light is a design stripped to its most basic—and beautiful—essence. This innovativ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 3 High Cylinders by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Another pioneering lighting design in the array of lamps and lighting fixtures Flos is known for, Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light with tall cylinders is one of designer Konstantin Grcic’s finest creations. Adaptable to any interior space, this dynamic fixture can be configured as a pendant lamp or standing light using the additional components available with the product. Available in a variety of unique and distinct design options, Noctambule pendant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Michael Anastassiades Modern Minimalist Black & Glass Table Desk Lamp for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS IC Lights T1 High Table Lamp in Black by Michael Anastassiades Like the other pieces in his IC Light Series, the IC Lights T balances designer Michael Anastassiades’ love of in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

FLOS Bibliotheque Nationale Chrome Floor Lamp with Bronze Shade, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There's more than meets the eye with this 2013 Phillippe Starck creation: Illuminating your home with a diffused light, the Biblioteque Nationale also serves as a strikingly modern b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Ktribe S2 Halogen Pendant Light in Aluminized Bronze by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A member of the Ktribe family of products, this inspiring table light provides diffused light through a transparent diffuser that gracefully moves the eye upward. The base, rod, and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

Flos In Vitro Bollard 2 3000K LED Floor Lamp in Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant outdoor lighting collection designed by Philippe Starck, In Vitro (translate to inside glass) modernizes the classic lantern into a contemporary structure. The collection ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Chasen Pendant Light in Black by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning illusion from award-winning designer Patricia Urquiola, the Chasen pendant lamp enchants with an unexpected presentation of diffused light. The diffuser is borosilicate and the body is chemically photo-etched stainless steel, and it features liquid-paint protection. The lamp’s base is die-cast aluminum. The ceiling rose is 30% fiberglass-reinforced polyamide and is attached to a pressed and galvanized steel ceiling fixture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

FLOS Small Square and Broken Line Arrangements Light by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arrangements is a modular system of geometric light elements that can be combined in different ways, creating multiple compositions into individual chandeliers. Each unit simply atta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Bouroullec Modern Black Hanging Pendant Small Aim Five Light & Canopy for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS Aim Small Black Five-Lamp Light Set w/ Canopy by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM ceiling light is a design stripped to its most bas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Skygarden S2 Halogen Pendant Light in White by Marcel Wanders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Imagine a stunning display blooming above you: Created by Marcel Wanders, the Skygarden S is just that. A gracefully hanging hemisphere, the pendant lamp makes a powerful impression ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Flos IC Lights C/W1 Double Ceiling/Wall Sconce in Brass by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The latest addition to the IC Lights Collection: New IC Lights Ceiling/Wall Double comes with a double light source providing diffused light.The modern ceiling and wall sconce fixtur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Flos In Vitro 2700K LED Suspension Lamp in Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant outdoor lighting collection designed by Philippe Starck, In Vitro (translates to inside glass) modernizes the classic lantern into a contemporary structure. The collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Bouroullec Modern White Hardwired Small Aim Light Hanging Pendant, for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS AIM Small Hardwired Pendant Light in Black by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Like the others in the AIM family created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM-Small ceiling lig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Medium Circle and Large Square Arrangements Light by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arrangements is a modular system of geometric light elements that can be combined in different ways, creating multiple compositions into individual chandeliers. Each unit simply atta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Ipnos Outdoor Floor Lamp in Black by Nicoletta Rossi & Guido Bianchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created by the dynamic team of Rossi and Bianchi, IPNOS mixes illusion with function—and the result is nothing short of magical. LED lights line the top of its skeletal frame, protec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Infra-Structure Episode 2 C5 Black Suspension Light by Vincent Van Duysen
By Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The next chapter in the story of a successful launch: the unique design of Infra-Structure EVO by Vincent Van Duysen evolves with new light elements that allow for dramatic, yet subt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Captain Flint Floor Lamp in Brass Finish by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek and graceful, this versatile floor lamp features smart details from head to toe. At the top, its spinning cone diffuser provides direct light that can be repositioned. On the b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Steel

Flos Oblique 3000K Floor Lamp in Grey by Vincent Van Duysen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Oblique 3000K Floor Lamp in Grey by Vincent Van Duysen Floor lamp that, thanks to its innovative patented lens, offers asymmetrical light di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Tab Table LED Lamp 2700K with Dimmer 90° Rotatable Head, White
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A brand new edition of the Tab family, now with new capabilities in new colors. This new edition of Tab table lamp has an adjustable head with a ±90-deg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 2 Cylinders and Cone by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crafted by Konstantin Grcic, Flos Noctambule is a new lighting system that is available in a wide variety of designs. The foundation of this lighting p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Flos Infra-Structure Episode 2 C7 Black Suspension Light by Vincent Van Duysen
By Flos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The next chapter in the story of a successful launch: the unique design of Infra-Structure EVO by Vincent Van Duysen evolves with new light elements that allow for dramatic, yet subt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Tab LED Table Lamp in White by E. Barber & J. Osgerby
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the Tab family created by the design duo of E. Barber and J. Osgerby in 2011, the Tab T table lamp is a tribute to the spirit of innovation. This modern style has an adjustab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Floor Lamp with 3 Cylinders, Cone, and Base by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The brainchild of master designer Konstantin Grcic, Noctambule by Flos is a futuristic lighting system that blends innovation, efficiency and aesth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Bon Jour White Table Lamp w/ Yellow Crown by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Using revolutionary Edge Lighting Technology, the Bon Jour combines maximum performance and efficiency with visual comfort. Users are able to effortlessly control the intensity of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 5 High Cylinders by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Another pioneering lighting design in the array of lamps and lighting fixtures FLOS is known for, Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light with tall cylinders is one of designer Konstantin Grcic’s finest creations. Adaptable to any interior space, this dynamic fixture can be configured as a pendant lamp or standing light using the additional components available with the product. Available in a variety of unique and distinct design options, Noctambule pendant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Bon Jour Unplugged Chrome Lamp w/ Fumee Crown by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The smaller table version of the Bon Jour table lamp, the Bon Jour Unplugged truly moves with the user and can be used in any environment. The base features a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Large Circle and Line Arrangements Light by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arrangements is a modular system of geometric light elements that can be combined in different ways, creating multiple compositions into individual chandeliers. Each unit simply atta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Small and Large Circles Arrangements Light by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arrangements is a modular system of geometric light elements that can be combined in different ways, creating multiple compositions into individual chandeliers. Each unit simply atta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Miss K Table Lamp in Fummee by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
MISS K desk/table lamp providing diffused light. Fully transparent, injectionmolded PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate, UL-94 HB) frame; opal, injectionmolded polycar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

FLOS Kelvin Edge LED Tension Table Lamp in Chrome by Antonio Citterio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The newest addition to the popular Kelvin LED family , the Kelvin Edge offers the innovation and sleek design of the collection in a smaller package—without sacrificing output. Featu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Floor Lamp with 3 High Cylinders and Base by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Noctambule LED dimmable floor lamp tall cylinders with small base is an ultramodern lighting fixture created by the renowned designer Konstantin Grcic. Here are some of its unmi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Flos In Vitro 2700K 0-10V LED Wall Scone in White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant outdoor lighting collection designed by Philippe Starck, In Vitro (translates to inside glass) modernizes the classic lantern into a contemporary structure. The collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Superloon Floor Lamp in White by Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The serene, harmonious glow of the moon inspired this innovative and first-of-its-kind design from artist Jasper Morrison. Using revolutionary Edge Lighting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Sky Garden S2 Halogen Pendant Light in White by Marcel Wanders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Imagine a stunning display blooming above you: Created by Marcel Wanders, the Sky garden S is just that. A gracefully hanging hemisphere, the pendant lamp m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

FLOS Aoy Table Lamp by Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modern table lamp features a clear glass cylindrical outer body. A white opal glass diffuser/reflector is inside the cylinder on the top part of the body. The lamp is made from hand-blown glass—there are no metal pieces involved. Offering diffused light, this lamp offers a bonus for its feline fans: Castiglioni included an opening on the bottom that creates a snug, warm space...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Superarchimoon Floor Lamp by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A brilliant play on perspective, Superarchimoon feels oversized and magnificent, providing direct and diffused light via a pleated cloth external diffuser and acid-etched, handblown glass internal diffuser. The diffuser support is sandcast aluminum...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Floor Lamp with 2 Cylinders and Base by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Noctambule LED dimmable floor lamp short cylinders with small base is a flamboyant-yet-functional lighting fixture crafted by the world-class designer Konstantin Grcic for FLOS. An i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Spun T2 Halogen Table Lamp in Glossy White by Sebastian Wrong
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Sebastian Wrong in 2003, the Spun Light-T table lamp reflects the best of modern manufacturing technology combined with elegance, craftsmanship, and dynamic fluid aesthet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

FLOS Ktribe S3 Halogen Pendant Light in Transparent by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A member of the K-tribe family of products, this inspiring table light provides diffused light through a transparent diffuser that gracefully moves the eye upward. The base, rod, and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

FLOS Extra T Table Lamp in Silver by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This graceful table lamp provides a soft and beautiful diffused glow through an elegant orb that is brilliantly balanced against its sleek body. It is available with a body of painte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 2 Cylinders and Bowl by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light with bowl shade, created by renowned designer Konstantin Grcic for Flos, is an innovative lighting system that comes in an array of artful desig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Jasper Morrison Modern Minimalist Glo-Ball Glass Desk Lamp for FLOS, in stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS Glo-Ball Basic 1 Halogen Table Lamp by Jasper Morrison Part of the popular Glo Ball Series, the Glo Ball Basic was created in 1998 by artist Jasper Morrison to invoke the radian...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

FLOS Bibliotheque Nationale Chrome Floor Lamp with Clear Shade, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There's more than meets the eye with this 2013 Phillippe Starck creation: Illuminating your home with a diffused light, the Biblioteque Nationale also serves as a strikingly modern b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Wirering Wall Light in Grey and White by Formafantasma
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exercise in reduction, stripped back to its most essential elements, offering beautifully rendered light. The wire holds a simple ring fitted with an LED strip. The cable and ring...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Jasper Morrison Modern Sphere Glass Stainless Steel Wall Lamp Sconce for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS Glo-Ball Wall Lamp by Jasper Morrison Part of the popular Glo Ball Series, the Glo Ball W wall sconce was created by artist Jasper Morrison. Its shape in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Flos Noctambule Pendant Light with 3 Cylinders and Bowl by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Noctambule LED dimmable pendant light with bowl shade, created by renowned designer Konstantin Grcic for Flos, is an innovative lighting system that comes in an array of artful desig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern 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, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Vistosi, Artemide, Flos, and DOOQ. 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.

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