Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Postmodern Bankers Desk Lamp in Brass and Glass
View Similar Items
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Postmodern Bankers Desk Lamp in Brass and Glass
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)
- Power Source:Plug-in
- Voltage:110-150v
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7240232180062
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.
- Vintage Cylindrical Post Modern Light Up Brassy and Transparent Tube Table LampLocated in Atlanta, GAA vintage, late 20th century, brassy and clear tube light up table lamp. The table lamp features a three way switch which allows the light bulb to be il...Category
Late 20th Century American Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Alfredo Barbini Cenedese Pair Murano Glass Table Lamps Early to Mid 20th CenturyBy Alfredo BarbiniLocated in Atlanta, GAA pair of circa 1940's / 1950's hand made cased glass table lamps attributed to Alfredo Barbini for Gino Cenedese. This pair of Murano glass table lamps features a glistening gold co...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- John Richard Faux Malachite Wood Table Lamps, Converted and Wired, a PairBy John RichardLocated in Atlanta, GAA vintage pair of faux malachite wood vessel forms by the John-Richard brand converted into table lamps. This pair of lamps features a wood vessel faux painted as malachite, set atop a rectangular black painted wood base. There is a black painted wood cap covering the opening of the vessel. Each has been professionally converted into a lamp with new wiring. The lamp bodies themselves measure 13.25” high. From the John-Richard website, “John-Richard is a luxury home furnishings manufacturer based in Greenwood, MS known for exceptional design in furniture, lighting. Design is at the heart of John-Richard. We are inspired by history, provenance, great foreign cultures, exotic materials and finishes as well as the particular talents of superb artisans. John-Richard was formed in 1980 as a sideline business to one of the largest retail furniture operations in the Mississippi Delta.”.Category
Late 20th Century Asian Table Lamps
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Colorful Large Midcentury Signed Italian Cylindrical Orange Ceramic Table LampBy Ugo ZaccagniniLocated in Atlanta, GAA beautiful, large and colorful, signed, midcentury ceramic Italian table lamp in the style of Ugo Zaccagnini. The lamp is sign...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Antique French Empire Style Bronze Three Arm Large ChandelierLocated in Atlanta, GAAn antique, circa 1900 - 1920, French Empire style bronze three light chandelier. The underside of the chandelier features a highly detailed stylized acanthus leaf pierced ornament w...Category
Vintage 1910s American Empire Revival Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBronze, Metal
- Antique 1910s French Empire Style Bronze Eight Light ChandelierLocated in Atlanta, GAAn antique, circa 1900 - 1920, French Empire style eight arm bronze chandelier with ram’s head details. This eight light chandelier has scroll and acanthus leaf details at each fluted and curved arm. The bobeches have a faceted underside and a running pearl ornament...Category
Vintage 1910s American Empire Revival Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBronze, Metal
- Bankers Lamp in Black, Brass and Glass by Robert Sonneman, HalogenBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Kansas City, MOBankers style table lamp designed by Robert Sonneman, 1980s. Functions perfectly, halogen bulb included. Very few if any signs of use.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Eyeball Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George KovacsBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Denton, TXA desk or table lamp with black enamel finish task lighting label with Kovacs name.Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman Steel and Brass LampBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Houston, TXRobert Sonneman steel and brass lamp. Handsome late 20th century steel and brass table lamp or desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. This unusual lamp is geomet...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Art Deco Marble & Brass Desk Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Delray Beach, FLStylish Art Deco triangular marble with detachable brass tube shaped lamp. Has a small crack towards bottom as can be seen in photos. In excellent working condition. Additional info...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Table Lamps
MaterialsMarble
- 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 - Modern Robert Sonneman Chrome and Brass Table Lamp, circa 1970sBy Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYA '70s Modern Robert Sonneman designed rectangular chrome and brass desk or table lamp, circa 1970s. Chrome with brass stripe down front and back; lamp is marked 'Sonneman' on lower ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Brass