Pair of Mid Century Modern Stainless Table Lamps Robert Sonneman for Kovacs
View Similar Items
Pair of Mid Century Modern Stainless Table Lamps Robert Sonneman for Kovacs
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer),George Kovacs (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Diameter: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Port Jervis, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU958625428252
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.
- Mid Century Modern Sculptural Table - Desk Lamp Style of Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous eye ball style lamp in orange with a chrome base and shaft. Eye ball shade is fully adjustable. Chrome is in excellent vintage condition shade has some wear see pics.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Reading Floor Lamp, 1990By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Port Jervis, NYFully adjustable reading lamp in bronze enamel by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Lamp extends from 45 inches to 58 in height. This item...Category
1990s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Lucite with Chrome Eyeball Desk Table Lamp Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Port Jervis, NYSimple and elegant table desk lamp fully adjustable. Lamp pivots on a Lucite 7 x 7 base, tightens with the use of a chrome thumbscrew. Chrome eyeball shade does the same, totally adj...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Sonneman for Kovacs Floor Lamps Pair AvailableBy George Kovacs, Robert and Richard SonnemanLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous pair of tall elegant torchiers. Designed by Richard Sonneman for Kovacs. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Glass and marble are perfect. Brass has discolorat...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Stainless Steel Cylindrical Table LampsBy George KovacsLocated in Port Jervis, NYPair of tall (28.5 inches to the top of the socket) elegant polished stainless steel lamps. Cylindrical form with no seams in the steel. These lamps would look great with black shade...Category
Vintage 1960s American Industrial Table Lamps
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of Mid Century Nickel Chrome Stacked Ball Table Lamps by George KovacsBy George KovacsLocated in Port Jervis, NYElegant and classic stacked ball table lamps in nickel chrome. Mirror finish on chrome, which are in very good condition. Shades for display only.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Nickel
$1,170 Sale Price / set35% Off
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs memphis Post Modern table lampBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Philadelphia, PARobert Sonneman for George Kovacs Memphis style post modern table lamp. Metal cone shade and base with with muted gold ball and accent. Original glass diffuser.Category
1990s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsIron
- Robert Sonneman Desk or Table Lamp for George Kovacs, 1990By Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Miami, FLDark bronzed metal base with wood accent and sandblasted opaque glass shade desk or table lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1990.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of 'Feather' Task Lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of 'Feather' task lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980. Beautiful rare ochre color with counterbalanced arm. Double switch for on-off and high-low settings. Or...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Double Headed Cube Lamp, circa 1970sBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Boynton Beach, FLRobert Sonneman for George Kovacs double headed cube lamp. For desk or table. Iconic enameled cube shades that are adjustable in many angles to present light where desired. Affixed o...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Mid Century Modern Nickel and Copper Table Lamps by Robert SonnemanBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Bedford Hills, NYStriking pair of burnished copper and nickel postmodern table lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Lamps have been rewired with brass fitting. Shades not included.Category
20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCopper, Nickel
- 1980s Gorgeous Robert Sonneman Table Lamp for Gerorge KovacsBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Milano, IT1980s Gorgeous Robert Sonneman Table Lamp for Gerorge Kovacs. This lamp is an icon lamp. It works perfectly and is in excellent condition. Dimension: 17,32"x 4,53" x 15,16" H inch...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal