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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Pair of Signal Table Lights in Brass from Souda, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The signal table lamp is familiar, yet futuristic. From beneath it’s spun metal shade LEDs cast a warm and inviting glow onto a polished central stem grounded by a cast iron base. Wi...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Steel
FLOS Taraxacum 1 Pendant Light by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a wish: Named after the humble Dandelion, the Taraxacum pendant light astonishes with a gorgeously diffused blooming light. The white powder coated internal steel structure is s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Fontanaarte "Equatore" Medium Glass Pendant Lamp by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Equatore" is a large pendant lamp, designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti and manufactured by FontanaArte, made in glass and metal and is part of a collection including table, floor a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
'Dragonfly Single' Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'Dragonfly Single' Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal
Bespoke Pair of Coquillage Plaster Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Pair of Coquillage Plaster Sconces. Set of 2.
Please note that these are customizable - All our plaster lighting is UL wired.
Lead time is 10-12 weeks.
One pair is currently ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Plaster
Italian modern white yellow Murano glass table lamp Grande Rio Giusto Toso 1970s
By Giusto Toso, Leucos
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white yellow Murano glass table lamp Grande Rio Giusto Toso 1970s
Table lamp mod. Grande Rio with round base in opaline white Murano glass. The structure is conical, t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vistosi Diadema Floor Lamp in Crystal by Romani Saccani Architetti
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
Light in motion. That is the sensation pervading the environment when a Diadema is switched on. The work of Romani Saccani Architetti Associati, the fathers of this project, first co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamps by Olivia Cognet
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of tall and elegant table lamps made in ceramic by the French artist Olivia Cognet, topped with Dedar Milano fabric lamp shades.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2016, French art...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Murano Glass Bronze Rock Lamps, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
Unique pair of solid faceted jewel-like Murano glass table lamps in a lovely bronze color and with bronze finished brass hardware. Note bronze colored floating orb is obtained by blo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Paneled Aqua Murano Glass Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass paneled sconces, each crafted with three curved panels of hand-blown aqua glass on a brass frame. We love the modern style and hand-crafted quality of these scon...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary sculptural ceramic wall sconce
Located in Attleboro, MA
Handbuilt ceramic wall sconce with draped/folded marbled stoneware clay, reminiscent of the natural world.The nature of the technique used to shape the clay adds a touch of uniquenes...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Narrow Aluminum Elbow Wall Light by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Elbow Wall Light by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 10 x D 9.5 x H 20.5 cm
Materials: Aluminum.
Available in blackened, aluminum, and brass.
Elb...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Gervasoni Medium 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
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
Frame ALU Brun S UL
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Frame wall lights feature a simple yet sculptural design, showcasing a harmonious blend of materials: lacquered stainless steel paired with paper. The paper emits a soft, warm gl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Modernist Feather Chandelier in Murano Smoked Topaz Glass and Oil Rubbed Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This refined and sophisticated chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the islands off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for their superlative quality glass production. It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pink Murano Glass Flower Chandelier
By Cenedese
Located in Austin, TX
Murano Glass pink flower chandelier by Cenedese. This stunning piece has such a light, delicate pink color and brings such a warmth to any spac...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Porta Romana Baobab Table Lamp
By Porta Romana
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning, biomorphic ceramic table lamp in a white plaster finish by Porta Romana. Made in England.
Original linen shade measurements: 11 3/4” H x 16” D
Preowned, like new condition.
“The Baobab Lamp...
Category
2010s British Modern Lighting
Materials
Linen, Ceramic
FLOS Kelvin Led F Floor Lamp in Black by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the popular Kelvin LED family, the Kelvin LED F floor lamp features the collection’s signature square head and utilizes the latest technology to pro...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Murano Glass Shell Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of pretty Murano glass wall sconces shaped like sea shell.
The Murano glass is smooth on the outside while having a rough inner texture, it also has golden speckles allowing...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Two Modern Murano Table Lamps by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, Signed ca. 1994
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Beautiful table lamps in orange and green hand-blown Murano glass.
Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Venini and manufactured in 1994.
The glass shade is signed "Venini ".
We have the ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
“Two Be” Contemporary Wall Sconce, Rock Crystal, Cast melted Brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TWO-BE
The harmony of feeling as one
For over 22 years, we have been committed to offering unique collections in terms of design and quality. We continue to honor the hand-made by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Brass
Nun 'Curve' Alabaster Floor Lamp in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
Nun 'Curve' Alabaster Floor Lamp in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
The Nun 'Curve' floor lamp is the single sided carved wood base version of the Nun floor collection. Handcrafted in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Steel
Floor Lamp Classic Contemporary Hand-Sculpted Blackened Steel and Linen Shade
Located in Bronx, NY
Lamp No. 5
J.M. Szymanski
D. 2022
This special floor lamp features a linen shade and a carved steel base. A single A unique take on a classic look, this simple lamp...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Steel
Foscarini Big Bang Large Suspension by Enrico Franzolini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An apparently chaotic stack of surfaces, this ceiling lamp has a design featuring explosive creativity and dynamism.
Materials:
Methacrylate and coated aluminium
Light source:...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Pendent Lamp, Model Kiri, from Josef Frank, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
A beautiful mid-century chandelier from Josef Frank. This six arm lamp is made of
brass with walnut accents. The combination of the walnut with the brass makes
this piece very subli...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
"Freevolle" Sculpture Table Lamp, ivory lampshade, Brass Body
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FREEVOLLE
Twist and go!
The Freevolle Lady lamp captures a quiet elegance, with its refined curves, delicate and airy silhouette, it moves with grace—striking the perfect balance b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Polished Brass Bow Sconces
Located in Hanover, MA
These are never before used new old stock (NOS) from Top Brass Lighting Co. circa 1994 model #550 solid brass with polished brass finish "Bow" sconces in the form of a pair of tassel...
Category
1990s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Modernist Sconces in Exploded 24K Gilt Bronze & Crystal by Claude Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
This stunningly ornate Pair of Modernist Sconces in Exploded 24Karat Gilt Bronze and Quartz Crystal is by the esteemed artist and designer Claude Boeltz and originates from France du...
Category
20th Century French Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Gold, Bronze
Vintage Italian Murano Incamiciato Blown Two Tiered Ten Arm Chandelier in Silver
By Pauly & Co.
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning modern and unique two- tiered Murano chandelier comprised of ten upturned silver blown arms and center shaft and finishing with refined crystal blown reeded drops. The b...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Meander Leather and Brass Flexible Single Sconce
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Add color and flexibility to any room with the Meander One Arm Reading Light, an adjustable wall-mounted light fixture, with flexible leather wrapped arm.
Shown here in orange leather, Brushed Brass cone shade, optional switch on square backing plate. Also availble with round backing plate.
15" arm fully extended (12" leather arm plus 3" cone shade), or custom length.
Choose from 30 leather colors; please contact us for color chart and samples
4 brass finishes (Brushed Brass, Polished, Aged or Antiqued...
Category
2010s North American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Long Brass and Frosted Glass Glustin Luminaires Creation Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Chandelier made of a brass structure and small panels of frosted glass fixed all around it.
Long an oval shape, the treated glass gives a smooth light, easy to look at while the o...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Wall Light Handcrafted in Italy by 247lab
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted wall lamp model "Boaty PT", made in brass.
Its name comes from the name of a particular kind of hat, derived from the ones used by Venetian gondoliers and whose name is "...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Surrealist standing lamp by Salvador Dalí model "Muletas" white linen shade
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s designs for Jean Michel Frank. The ‘Muletas’ had its beginnings at the surreal stage and is an obsession which persists in Dalí’s works as can be se...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Wood
Moooi Flock of Light 21 Suspension Lamp in Bronze Wires with Brass Cups
By Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flock of Light, by Studio Toer, transforms from a light and airy artistic design piece at daytime to a swarm of bright warm lights at night. A swarm cap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Nickel Signal Floor Lamp from Souda, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A clear distillation of line weight, the signal floor lamp stands effortlessly in virtually any setting. From a cast iron base a polished stem rises to intersect its spun aluminum sh...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Steel, Nickel
Gervasoni Spin L Floor Lamp in Natural Melange Rattan by Michael Sodeau
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sinuous lines reminiscent of the enveloping shape of a nest characterise the family of floor lamps SPIN S/M/L, available in 3 different sizes. The enveloping structure, reminiscent of the spindle of the spinning wheel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Rattan
White Outdoor Giraffe w/ Chandelier by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products.
Designed by Marcantonio, Giraffe in Love M is a giraffe of 2.65 meters high that holds a c...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Plastic, Fiberglass
FLOS Taccia Led Diffuser Lamp in Black by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Castiglioni brothers often created designs that challenged our perspective, and the Taccia, which gives the illusion of an upside-down hanging lamp, is an inspired example of tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Glustin Luminaires Creation Brass Lanterns with Murano Ribbons
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Brass lanterns with Murano glass ribbons stacked.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Contemporary Pendant Lamp El Lamps CS1 by Noom in Brass
Located in Paris, FR
EL collection of lighting is inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist artists El Lissitzky and Kazimir Malevich. Suprematism is a modernist movement in the art of the...
Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
13 Feet Tall Life-Size White Giraffe Outdoor Chandelier, Designed by Marcantonio
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2)
13 Feet Tall Extraordinary Giraffe and Chandelier
"Giraffe in Love" is the new produc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Fiberglass
Set of Four Modernist Alabaster and Oil Rubbed Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Enhance your home with this set of four Modernist Alabaster and Oil Rubbed Bronze Sconces, crafted with precision in the United States during the 20th century. These sconces combine ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
NORIGAE No. 1 Floor Lamp Light
By WKND Lab
Located in Miami Beach, FL
NORIGAE No.1 2022 by Wknd Lab
Color: Multi-color
Size: 20.0 x 116.0 x 26.0 cm
Material: silk, metal Steel, acrylic, glass
Technique: Korean Traditional silk cloth decoration making
...
Category
2010s North Korean Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Custom Pair of Plaster Single Fleur Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Custom handcrafted plaster fleur sconces.
These sconces are UL listed.
Please note these sconces are customizable.
Lead time is 8-10 weeks.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Plaster
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
Textured Murano Glass Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful Murano glass textured sconces hand blown by craftsman in Italy. The light is stunning as it filters through the glass. This pair has b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
MANHATTAN - LARGE Chandelier in Green Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Part of The Boroughs Collection, created in partnership with The Brownstone Boys.
The Manhattan (Large) Chandelier draws inspiration from the grandeur of the New York Public Library...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Bronze
Crystal Faceted Floral Semi Flush Lights, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
Lovely artisan composed crystal faceted floral dome-shape ceiling light, illuminated with five UL approved brass candelabra sockets and
Sold as install ready at 11-12? OAH and elect...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Vintage 70's enameled metal chandelier Italian design
Located in None, IT
Gray enameled metal chandelier with glass shade, height is adjustable, Italian design, 1970s.
CONDITION:
In good, working condition, may show signs of wear given by time.
SIZING:
...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
8.6 Ft Tall Black Pop Art Indoor Giraffe Chandelier by Marcantonio
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Giraffe in Love" is the new product born from artist/designer Marcantonio. It is a dreamy indoor giraffe holding a classic Marie-Thérèse style chandeli...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Fiberglass
Osram - Minispot Model41701 - stainless steel, plastic 1970s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Osram design lamp consisting of a plastic base with a metal ball with halogen lamp. This ball can be directed in all directions by means of a magnet.
Model model 41701
Extremely suit...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Kartell Bourgie Lamp in Multicolored Titanium by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lamp with an inimitable style, Bourgie is one of Kartell’s best sellers, skillfully combining classic style, richness and tradition with innovation and irony. The baroque style bas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Mid Century Tall Rembrandt Table Lamps
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Pair of slender lamps in brass and enameled metal. Simple and elegant in their minimalist design. Opaque glass shades diffuse light and support larger shade. In excellent vintage con...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
1456/6 White Chandelier
Located in Milan, IT
This unique chandelier is a fantastic piece to make any room it is placed in so much classier. It provides a great atmospheric and uniform lighting by using 6 E14 lights and it is ch...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Elongated Brass and Alabaster Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Long chandelier made of a rectangular brass center stem with flattened alabaster globes on its three sides. Shown here in mat black finish.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of Clear Pulegoso Murano Glass Disc Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of custom clear pulegoso Murano glass disc sconces, with stainless steel frame. Customization is available in different sizes, finishes and glass colors.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Large Arc Sconce in Black with White Lucite Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The arc sconce is made of a solid satin brass or black body and backplate with a white Lucite shade and brass screws.
Measures: Large: W 5.25in (13.5cm) x...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
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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