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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Tan Leather and Satin Brass Sarah Ceiling Pendant 24" Drum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Illuminate a room while turning heads with the brilliant Sarah Ceiling Mount Fixture. Composed of a hand-sewn leather drum fitted between a satin brass top and bottom ring, the Sarah...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

AllSew 48" Pendant by RBW
By RBW
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
AllSew / Chandelier Designed by RBW Allsew, our modular, scalable pendant inspired by the luminosity of lanterns, and the lightweight, collapsible efficiency of kites. Made in Uni...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Cobalt Blue Glass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
This bold and well balanced Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Cobalt Blue Glass Table Lamps originates from Italy during the 21st Centu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Brass and Murano Glass Large modernist Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Sculptural wall sconces made of a rectangular frame backplate on which are attached two folded panels of Murano glass and a globe incasing the source of light
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Multicoloured Venetian Murano Glass Rezzonico Chandelier Circa 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Rezzonico Venetian chandelier in multicoloured Murano glass, 6 arms of light
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Modern Fabric Pendant Hand-Painted Light by Studio Mirei, Nebula Grande 150cm
Located in New York, NY
Providing soft light in an organic and unique design, the Nebula Lamp draws its inspiration from the interstellar clouds of dust and gas. Entirely handcraf...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Natural Fiber

Unique Glass Totem Suspensions by Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Using the same process as our totem floor lamps, we stacked different Murano glass parts in various colors and shapes, alternating with some brass d...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Brass and Alabaster Three Globes Mobile Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Mobile kinetic chandelier made of three patinated brass arms of light each holding different sized alabaster globes and counterweight to ensure the balance of the piece. Original ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Ventiquattro Sputnik Chandelier by Fabio Ltd
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian sputnik chandelier with 24 Murano glass globes mounted on brass frame / Designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy 24 lights / E12 or E14 type / max 40W each Dia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Brass and Alabaster Mobile Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Mobile kinetic chandelier made of patinated brass with a round counterweight and two enlighten alabaster globes. Original design by Glustin Luminaires.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Pink Murano Glass Torchiere Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of sconces, Italian, from the Island of Murano outside of Venice. The torchiere sconces feature hand blown pink pearlescent glass components on a polished brass structure. They ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Musk Pink Powdercoat Aluminum Pendant Light with Diffuser
Located in New York City, NY
Sitting between the timeless and the contemporary, the Ora pendant by Ross Gardam, features a floating disk surrounded by a beautifully gentle glow. This s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Ballroom the Wall Long Pink Gold Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish design from Design by Us The spherical Ballroom sconces with translucent hues will create a subtle warm glow in your interior. Material: Mouth blown and hand painted glass w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass

Murano Glass Ronda Sconces by Leucos
Located in Austin, TX
Sconces; Italian; from Leucos made of murano glass. They are hand blown and are white in color with a tobacco colored rim around the outside. They have been newly wired to US standards. There are currently 8 sconces...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Glass and Steel Perception Table Lamp by Known Work
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Delicate hand-blown glass and patinated steel combine to striking effect in this atmospheric table lamp that sets the mood with an alluring soft glow. The layered, mold-blown glass h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Lights
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling light realized in pure Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion. Available also with clear graniglia leaves. Amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This beaut...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Vertical Brass Chandelier with Alabaster Globes
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
New design by Glustin Luminaires, following our works with alabaster, we offer this new variation made of a vertical brass stem which supports various sized enlightened alabaster glo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Lumina Daphine LED Floor Lamp in Yellow by Tommaso Cimini
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp in metal with an articulated arm and a diffuser pivoting on 360°. The base of cast iron always comes black varnished. Available with halogen or LED light source. Two step ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Moooi Nom Nom Light by Odin Visser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Can. Not. Resist! The NomNom Light by Odin Visser is a contemporary lighting design that puts a smile on your face and a tingle in your belly. This modestly sized suspension light is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Les-Ottomans Venetian Handmade Big Lampshade
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Inspired by the typical Venetian shades this ikat one - completely handmade represents at its best the meeting of East and West.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cotton

Pair of Contemporary Copper Colored Metal Fabric Shaded Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Contemporary copper finish wall sconces with grooved detail and beige fabric shades. (PRICED AS PAIR) (Similar sconces: 062597, 062597A)
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Lighting

Materials

Fabric

Tenfold Chandelier 5T 24inch Brushed Bronze, Perforated Metal Geometric Pendant
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD CHANDELIER 5 TIER 24inch in Brushed Bronze by Luft Tanaka Studio Brutalism meets glam. The Tenfold Chandelier is inspired by brutalist design and Op Art, and composed of int...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Oxblood Vase Table Lamp on Wooden Base, circa 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An oxblood vase with gilt wood base table lamp. Antiqued finish hardware includes double sockets with on/off pull chains, adjustable height rod, and cord ...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Textured Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Murano glass sconces with a smoke color to the textured glass and black glass sphere finials. The “stampato” glass is textured with ridges and is curved in design, making a superb de...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Beige Wavy Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wavy wall sconces made of a metal structure with LED lighting, covered with five Murano glass coloured panels. These sconces can be attached in any di...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Gold Leaf Covered Plaster Table Lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of beautiful tall table lamps made of plaster covered with gold leaf.
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf

Cuore N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro. Peltro and Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Cuore collection was conceived with the goal of creating fixtures that are unexpected yet clean and harmoniously balanced. This is highlighted by the organically styled shades sp...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ventola table lamp by the artist Diego Mardegan exclusively for Glustin Luminaires. Beautiful two ways shade made of a brass structure, parchemin paper and waxed fabric hold by an...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tekna Ilford Wall-C Wall Light with Dark Bronze Finish and Frosted Glass
Located in New York, NY
Eclectic wall light in dark bronze with outside fitted clear or frosted glass, closed top and open bottom. Wall bracket in bronze lacquered aluminium with forcible transit. For outdo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Brass and Alabaster Shield Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Round chandelier designed by Glustin Luminaires, made of a central vertical stem, eight arms of light each holding a concave satin brass reflecto...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Lilly Curved Sculptural LED Chandelier, Solid Brass and crystal. Large
Located in Torslanda, SE
Lilly is a contemporary chandelier that challenges the differentiation of room and object. Formed from solid brass milled petals, each LED light source contains a single crystal hemi...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modern Murano Artistic Glass Pearly Pink and Brass Sconces
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Each single leaf is handcrafted with high quality Murano blown glass; that's why each leaf is slightly different from the other. Exciting color, pearly pink. They are illuminated by ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pop Art Chanel No. 5 Vintage Advertising Lighting Display after Andy Warhol 1999
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art Chanel No. 5 vintage advertising display with the iconic sign of Chanel No. 5 bottle after Andy Warhol, which was used in parfumeri...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Acrylic

Adjustable Floor Lamp, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant floor lamp with height adjustment and swivel arm. The lamp has a simple, conical shade with fabric covering. The screen sits on a swivel arm. The shaft is divided into two a...
Category

20th Century European Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mickey Mouse Table Lamp by Disney - JW
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Disney licensed larger scale Mickey Mouse Table light in a soft and colored acrylic material. Manufactured during the 80s or 90s by JW for or licensed by Disney and the electric ci...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Acrylic

Palma Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Premium Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Palma is composed of a series of freely rotating alabaster petals, concealing a single central light source. The translucency of the alabaster, sourced from the ancient quarries ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Bola Disc 12” Pendant Light in Brass by Pablo Designs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Bola Disc is a uniquely expressive LED Pendant system featuring a distinctive range of chromated disc reflectors that give the illusion of weightlessness by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Bespoke Plaster and Iron Fixture in the Manner of Jean Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke plaster and iron fixture in the manner of Jean Michel Frank. Item uses (3) e-12 candelabra bulbs up to 40 watts each. Production Lead Time for ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

Gervasoni XL Bolla Standing Lamp in Natural Rattan Core by Michael Sodeau
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Family of lamps made entirely of natural mélange woven wicker or lacquered in matt white, grey, black, ocean or dove-grey, characterised by a shape that recalls that of a bottle and by a skilful play of workmanship, shapes and colours. The products stand out thanks to the beauty of the natural fibre weave combined with an original design, giving them character and uniqueness. Available in different sizes, from S to XL, a piece of furniture that can be used individually or in combinations for an even more suggestive, cinematographic effect. Floor standing lamp in natural melange rattan core...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Rattan

Konsthantverk Svep Small Raw Brass Ceiling Lamp
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp model Stoby designed by Konsthantverk and manufactured by themselves. The production of lamps, wall lights and floor lamps are manufactured using craftsman’s techniq...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Appuntito Ceramic Light
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Artisanal Ceramic Table Light by Project 213A. Crafted in the brand's in-house ceramic workshop. Light launched in 2023 during Salone de Mobile at the Alcova Fair in Milano as part ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Moor Clay Wall Light by Lisa Allegra
Located in Geneve, CH
Wall light by Lisa Allegra Dimensions: W 22.5 x D 17 x H 24 cm Materials: Clay Variations available, dusty pink and blackened gold. Born in 1986 in Paris, Lisa Allegra has earned in...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Clay

Italian 'Taraxacum' Cocoon Pendant by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Chicago, IL
A Taraxacum cocoon pendant light designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in the 1960s. This captivating fixture features an enameled steel frame and a “cocoon” spraye...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

STACK Large Pendant Light in Brass & Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Simple, sleek, and effortlessly eye-catching, the aptly named STACK features two over-scaled discs floating atop one another. With the addition of the spiked finial at the bottom of ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Monoliths Alabaster Wall Sconce by Galerie Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall sconce made of a single block of alabaster sculpted and carved to receive an inner light.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster

“Flute” Medium Floor Lamp by Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1999
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
refined expression of equilibrium and lightness, the Flute floor lamp — designed by Franco Raggi and produced by Fontana Arte in 1999 — is an elegant study in indirect illumination ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

Glass and Steel Floor Lamp by Known Work
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Delicate hand-blown glass and patinated steel combine to striking effect in this atmospheric table lamp that sets the mood with an alluring soft glow. The layered, mold-blown glass h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Seletti ‘Mouse Lamp#3-Us’ Resin Lamp, Lie Down
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Lighting

Materials

Resin

Flush Mount Light 2 - Vrksa Series by Raka Studio in Ash Wood
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
The Flush Mount Light 2 sits closely on the ceiling, it has been made using solid ash wood by bending the wood. Three cocoon-like wooden structures bear the light bulbs, dispelling l...
Category

2010s Pakistani Modern Lighting

Materials

Bentwood, Ash

Pair of Table Lamps in Patinated Brass with Black Granite Base.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of table lamps in patinated brass with black granite base. This pair of patinated brass table lamps will add an artistic touch to your decor. It features a sculptural body with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Granite, Brass

Murano Glass “Alligatore” Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of sconces, Italian, from the island of Murano. This pair is made of hand-blown glass with a beautiful “alligatore” texture. They have been newly wired to fit US standards. T...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Venetian Multicolor Murano Glass Chandelier by Giovanni Dalla Fina
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Venetian Multicolor Murano glass chandelier by Giovanni Dalla Fina 1970s. This amazing chandelier stands out for the beauty of its design a...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass

“Bubble Tavolo” Floor Lamp by Valerio Bottin for Foscarini, Italy
Located in Beerse, VAN
Floor lamp made out of six disc-shaped diffusers creating a beautiful sphere. It’s designed by Valerio Bottin for Foscarini, Murano Italy. It’s made of a polycarbonate plastic with ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Brass and Glass Rod Floor Lamp, Gaetano Sciolari Lightolier Attributed
Located in Miami, FL
Brass and Glass Rod Floor Lamp, Gaetano Sciolari Lightolier Attributed Offered for sale is a brass and glass rod floor lamp attributed to Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier. This won...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Lee Broom - Gemini
Located in New York, NY
Gemini explores the classic characteristics of the astrological sign as well as serving a nod to the equipment, crucibles and flasks used in alchemical work...
Category

2010s British Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Lee Broom - Gemini
Lee Broom - Gemini
$2,950 / item
Contemporary Brass Ring Pendant Led
Located in Roeselare, BE
Pendant in brass in ring form with flexible led strips, power supply either on distance, or in the ring itself or in the canopy. Overall height can be chosen.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Artisan Pair of Murano Glass Block Table Lamps 2021
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of black and clear Murano glass block table lamps with gold leaf inclusions and polished brass finish. Italy, 2021. Please note: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Vistosi Armonia Pendant Light in Crystal Amber Glass & Black & Brass Metal Base
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
A collection with contemporary connotations that contains precious historical features: that of glass processings such as the “balloton” and the straight and twisted rigadin. Spec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

'Esterel' Alabaster Wall Lamp by Denis De La Mesiere
Located in Glendale, CA
'Esterel' Alabaster Wall Lamp by Denis De La Mesiere. Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Den...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster

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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