Modernist Lamp by Robert Sonneman
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
Robert Sonneman
Though Robert Sonneman was quite literally born into the lighting business, it took working for another celebrated lighting maker for him to land upon the kind of boundary-pushing modernism for which the New York–based designer is known today.
At the age of 19, fresh off a stint in the U.S. Navy, Sonneman responded to an ad for a position working in the studio of George Kovacs on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he became the sole employee. “Although my parents were in the lighting business, they came from a traditional perspective, and Kovacs introduced me to modernism,” Sonneman once said. “It was 1961, and I was immediately captured by the movement.”
While working for Kovacs, Sonneman became captivated by the work of the Bauhaus, and he began experimenting with the influential art and design school’s ideas of functional simplicity in lighting. In 1967, he opened his own studio.
Though Sonneman Design Group produced furniture for a brief time, the designer eventually elected to focus on the one category that had always fascinated him; the brand became known for its floor lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers that feature unconventional treatments toward shape and balance, often inspired by modern architecture. Sonneman once said of his work: “I saw the lamps that I built as lighting machines that glorified the industrial aesthetic.”
Indeed, in the spirit of Bauhaus functionality — Sonneman has also cited Mies van der Rohe as being an inspiration — the designer’s work takes function-centric forms and motifs and elevates them while prioritizing technology. This spirit of forward thinking continues today, as Sonneman’s brand, renamed SONNEMAN – A Way of Light in 2003, works with LED bulbs to continue to push the boundaries of what functional lighting can achieve aesthetically.
Current-day releases by SONNEMAN – A Way of Light (still overseen by Sonneman himself) feature 95 percent LED lights and include interior and exterior lighting as well as modular suspended lights as an alternative to track lighting. Sonneman’s vintage pieces, however, are still widely collected on the secondary market.
Find vintage Robert Sonneman lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Table Lamps by Donald DeskeyBy Donald DeskeyLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of nickel-plated table lamps by Donald Deskey, USA, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s American Other Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Perth Lamps by Bryan CoxBy Bryan CoxLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of gilded table lamps by Bryan Cox. Height to the top of the socket is 15.5 inches. Height to the top of the finial is 24 inches. Diame...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Austrian Bronze Lamp Sculpture by Friedrich GornikBy Friedrich GornikLocated in Los Angeles, CAAustrian bronze lamp sculpture signed by Friedrich Gornik. Austria, circa 1905.Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Deco Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Red Telegono Lamp for Artemide by Vico MagistrettiBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAA colorful vintage telegono table lamp, designed by renowned Vico Magistretti for Artemide in 1969. Base is red while the shade is white. Shade.adjusts up and down.Category
Vintage 1960s Futurist Table Lamps
MaterialsPlastic
- Pair of Modern Lucite Table Lamps by Pegaso GalleryLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of sleek modern lucite table lamps with 3" thickness by Pegaso Gallery Design with a unique octagonal figure and two polished brass sockets. Made in USA, 21st Century. Dimension...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Modern Lucite Table Lamps by Pegaso GalleryLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of sleek modern lucite table lamps with 3" thickness by Pegaso Gallery Design with a unique octagonal figure and two metal sockets. It also includes a lucite finial on top of ea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Arched Lucite Lamp By Robert Sonneman, 1970sBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Philadelphia, PAAdd a dash of whimsy to your tabletop with this lamp that knows how to have fun. Its curvy silhouette and glossy chrome details create a lighthearted vibe, while the Lucite body adds...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Chrome Cube Table Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Denton, TXAdjustable stem for height and swivel cube for direction makes this lamp perfect for a desk or bookshelf, on the base you can see the faux wood laminate.Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Iconic Saturn Desk Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Asbury Park, NJGreat 1980's "Saturn" desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. In great vintage condition. Lamp looks great when turned on and has a dimmer switch to alter the intensity of the light.Category
Vintage 1980s American Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 1970s Modernist Brass Cylinder Table Lamps Style of Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s Modern Brass Cylinder Table Lamp Pair Pop Art Sculptural Style of Robert Sonneman. No verification present. Features new cable wiring...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Robert Sonneman Table LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage 70s Robert Sonneman lucite and chrome table lamp. Has a swiveling lamp head to adjust angle of light. Normal wear for age. Has original Sonneman sticker. Includes bulbCategory
Vintage 1970s Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Robert Sonneman "Gazing Ball" LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Highland, INA rare and important design by famous lighting designer Robert Sonneman, this wildly innovative table lamp uses one-way mirror and touch-lamp technolog...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel