Lightolier Furniture
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Lightolier
Nickel-Plated Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in North Miami, FL
Nickel-plated Lightolier chandelier from 1950s. With the pole height 40" made in Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
1950s Black Enameled Steel & Brass Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Black enameled steel floor lamp with three brass arms holding a perforated steel reflector and shade.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
1970s Spiral Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A matte black metal ceiling fixture having straight slender arms extending outwardly from its vertical post in a spiral effect inspired by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1960.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Graduated Pastel Cone Cluster Pendants by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern pendant lights featuring a graduated cluster of three pastel pink, blue and white, perforated cones on brass poles mounted on circular plates. Four clusters are av...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Dining Room Pendant Lamp by Moe lighting
By Lightolier
Located in South Charleston, WV
Although the ceiling plate is marked lightolier, this is in fact by Moe Lighting and the contractor that installed it used a lightolier ceiling plate. circa 1965, Brass, Blown Glass,...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Lightolier Chrome Iron Hanging Candelabras
By Lightolier
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a beautiful pair of Lightolier Brutalist iron and chrome hanging candelabras. In excellent condition. The dimensions of each are 25" diameter x 27" height.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Amazing Pair Of 1950's Lightolier Murano And Brass Sconces Mid-century
By Lightolier
Located in Pemberton, NJ
LOVELY PAIR OF 1950'S LIGHTOLIER MURANO AND BRASS SCONCES. THE REMOVABLE MURANO GLASS HAS A VERY TEXTURED INTERIOR SURFACE WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
White Floor Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Wien, AT
White floor lamp by Lightolier
Original condition.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lightolier Flush Mount
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One cube Lightolier flush mount fixture newly rewired for one standard light bulb. Four available.
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Lightolier German Glass and Brass Flush Mount Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
German cut glass dome flush mount chandelier with brass rim and finial by Lightolier, circa 1960s. Paper label attached.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Brass Floor Lamp Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very good looking mid-century floor lamp made by Lightolier USA. It features a tapering brass column over a black enamel base, the original molded cellulose shade with removable pe...
Category
1950s Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair of American Art Moderne Parzinger Silver Plate Urn Table Lamps
By Tommi Parzinger, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Art Moderne silver-plate urn form table lamps with handles and a cover with a finial on a tapered square base (LIGHTOLIER-desi...
Category
20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair of Lightolier Lights With 16 Glass Blocks Each, USA Circa 1975
By Lightolier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Each light has 16 glass blocks that attach to a polished steel frame. The glass blocks are thick and square with tiny detailed air pockets throughout. In the center of each block is ...
Category
1670s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Lightolier Furniture
Mid-Century Brass Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Mid-Century Modern eight-arm chandelier, made in Germany. Featuring eight arms with conical shades, emanating from a disk, Circa 1960.
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Faceted Chrome Lightolier Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist chrome hanging fixture by Lightolier (marked). This chandelier has eight triangular panels each 8" W at base. The fixture shows some cosmetic wear to the finish, specifical...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Lightolier Brass and Walnut Table Lamps
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Lightolier turned solid walnut and brass table lamps. With brass stems, white lacquered metal cups and cast opaque and white glass diffusers. Reportedly a rare and early Gera...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Brass Dual Headed Floor Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Lightolier brass dual headed floor lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier "Studio Porcelains" Dark Gray Table Lamp, 1950's
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Charcoal Gray "Studio Porcelains" Pleated Table Lamp. Featuring a large fluted Gun Metal Porcelain body, Brass stem, original White enameled triple sockets on beveled Brass base. Original pleated tapered...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Pristine Vintage Lumilon Table Lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of pristine vintage Lumilon table lamps by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Original one-piece shade-diffusers. UL listed.
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Gerald Thurston Porcelain Table Lamps for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Gerald Thurston porcelain table lamps for Lightolier.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Modernist Chrome and Glass Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Interesting bent chrome elements form the "woven" surface. This structure lets light out from the top, sides and bottom. The interior, white enamel surface, surround the original fro...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Lightolier Staircase Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Black metal with white candles chandelier features 16 adjustable lights. Labelled "Lightolier" With cord the fixture can hang as long as 40" fr...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Ceramic Lamps by Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in New York, NY
Very stylish and sophisticated pair of ceramic lamps, designed by Gerald Thurston, for Lightolier. The ceramic body has an Aztec influence motif, each mounted on a solid wood plinth ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Modernist Wall Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An unusual and expressive wall lamp having a ribbed milk glass diffuser with thin patinated steel sides suspended from a curved plane of birch.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Thurston for Lightolier Floor Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Gerald Thurston design for Lightolier Mid-Century floor lamp. Three iron rods with brass ball centre joint and single iron rod top. This example shows cosmetic wear to the finish, as...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Set of Three Lightolier Eyeball Track Lighting Fixtures Mid-Century Modern
By Lightolier
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic set of three signed Lightolier chrome eyeball track lighting fixtures. The track is not included-contemporary track work with these vintage li...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Lightolier Chic Pendant Light in Brass, 1950s
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
1 pendant light in brass with pin holes at bottom by Lightolier, American, 1950s. The brass has been lacquered so it will not tarnish.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Sixteen-Arm, Black Lacquer Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant black lacquer sixteen-light chandelier by Lightolier. The design is often attributed to Tommi Parzinger. The chandelier is comprised of eight spokes radiating out from the ce...
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier Two-Tiered Glass Rod and Brass Chandelier
By Lightolier, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Chicago, IL
Gaetano Sciolari for Lightolier glass rod and brass two-tiered waterfall flush mount chandelier. Chrome-plated hexagonal ceiling mount with six brass plated reverse trefoil fitters. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Brass
Brushed Aluminum and Walnut Floor Lamp by Gerald Thurston
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sophisticated floor lamp designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier.
Brushed aluminum and walnut.
Newly rewired.
New oatmeal colored linen shade.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Lightolier 1960s Black Metal and Wood Desk or Table Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black metal desk or table lamp by Lightolier from the 1960s with wood and brass details.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Lightolier Mirage Wall or Flush Mount, USA, 1970s
By Gaetano Sciolari, Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Light bounce everywhere on these big chunky thick and heavy glass cubes.
Hand casted, full of lovely imperfection and air bubble.
Three regular E26 size socket.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Glass
Italian Modernist Lightolier Chandelier in Brass
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist chandelier with brass structure, made by Lightolier in Italy. The piece has a multitude of arms stretched out in various lengths and is in great vintage condition. Rewired ...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elusive Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp, Italian Pottery
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Buffalo, NY
Elusive Lightolier ceramic and brass table lamp, Italian pottery attributed to Gerald Thurston, stunning modernist decorative Italian pottery vessel atop atomic formed brass base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
1960s Swivel Table Lamps by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
1960s modern swivel spot table lamps by Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Lightolier Chandelier Ceiling Fixture Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Lightolier fixture with large crystal beads attributed to Gerald Thurston. A quality vintage fixture. Reminiscent of Italian fixtures by Arr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Pendant Lamp Hanging Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An example of Lightolier combining Italian lighting and design with
American components.
Frosted glass and lacquered metal.
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Glass
1960s Lightolier Sputnik Chandelier in Chrome with Glass Globes
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale chrome frame Sputnik chandelier, produced circa 1960s by Lightolier, with surrounding glass globe shades, radiating from a central nucleus. Very good vintage condition,...
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Two Gerald Thurston Table Lamps for Lightolier, 1960s
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two beautiful table lamps. Designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier USA, 1960s. Grey ceramic lamp bases with a metallic finish on oak feet. Triple armatures which can be switched on and off individually using the draw cord...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Lightolier 1970s White Metal and Glass Hanging Lamp on Track
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lightolier 1970s white metal and glass hanging lamp on track. Can be moved along the track. Original identification sticker attached.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Lightolier Ten Light Halogen Flush Mount Chandelier , 1980s, USA
By Lightolier
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Interactive flush mount chandelier by Lightolier. Get creative by selecting which length of rods goes where and at what height to put the thick opale Murano glass shade.
The deep ...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Brass Chandelier by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A midcentury chandelier with six white globes sitting on wave like sinusoid- sphere brass metalwork with radiating hanging rods fusing at the top into a shaft of bronze. Retains the ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Gaetano Sciolari "Cage" Pendant Lamp by Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Highland, IN
A wonderful example of Sciolari's playful experiments in lighting design, the wire cage lamp came in a taller oval form and this round coiled shape that i...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Triple Gourd-Form Table Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning Lightolier table lamp in white satin glazed ceramic stacked spherical bodies. Each segment separated by a brass ring spacer. Base is a brass plate. The three socket lighting...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Lightolier White Wall Sconce
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Large white wall sconce by Lightolier. Signed,
USA, circa 1950.
Newly rewired and refinished in white satin powdercoat.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and chic, quilted ceramic body with brass base and top. Excellent overall condition, slight bruise on brass base, as shown. Base accepts three bulbs to provide ample light. S...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Thurston for Lightolier Table Lamp
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Classic Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Mid-Century Modern table lamp. Brass colored metal with faux wood insert trim, on teardrop form base. Wo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Cut-Crystal Five-Arm Chandelier, circa 1940s
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early example of the craftsmanship of the American lighting pioneer, Lightolier. Five glass arms meet at the bottom the tri-tiered cut-glass centre column. Brass cups und...
Category
1940s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Minimalist 3 tiered Brass Plated Sconces by Lightolier
By Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of minimalist 3 tiered brass plated sconces by Lightolier.
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Nickel Staircase Light Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nickel fixture with graduated candle forms each holding a bulb. 5 foot tall from base to the canopy.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Pair of Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Etched Glass and Brass Sconces
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of brass double hurricane sconces by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Each solid brass sconce has a double hurricane shade, with the inner ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hanging Pendant Lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable patinated brass pendant having as shapely perforated shade and frosted glass diffuser with a brass ring pull. Recoiled cable is concealed in the canopy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Chromed Metal Woven Ribbon Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in East Hampton, NY
Lightolier chromed metal woven ribbon light pendant.
Cord measures 13".
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Black Enamel Sixteen-Light Mid-Century Light Fixture
By Lightolier
Located in St. Louis, MO
Black enameled light fixture with sixteen arm light fixture made by Lightolier, original enamel in excellent condition, measures 24" H from bottom...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lightolier Chrome and Glass Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning chrome and brushed steel and glass eight-arm chandelier. Each bulb is surrounded by a bubble glass cylindrical shade.
Category
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Impeccable Extendable Arm Lumilux Study Lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impeccable extendable arm Lumilux study lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Brushed brass base with original one-piece molded shade-diffuser in excellen...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lightolier Spun Aluminum Eight-Light Modernist Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in Chicago, IL
Modernist chandelier in spun aluminum and steel with eight arms and glass globes. Vented bobeches hold the glass globes in place over spun aluminum tube socket covers. Possibly an ea...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Five Light Lightolier White on White Molecule Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Space age tubular steel construction, in original white finish. Five sockets, which accept standard bulbs allowing for a variety of choices including the white ball bulbs shown, or c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lightolier furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Lightolier furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Lightolier furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Lightolier were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Gordon & Jane Martz, Laurel Lamp Company, and Marshall Studios. Prices for Lightolier furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $175 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,000.
Creators Similar to Lightolier
Questions About Lightolier Furniture
- What is a Lightolier lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lightolier was founded in 1904 by Bernhard Blitzer and the name is a combination of the words “light” and “chandelier.” Lightolier specializes in elaborate and decorative chandeliers, but they also produce a style of lamps that combine functionality with a lively aesthetic. Browse a collection of Lightolier lamps on 1stDibs.
- Is Lightolier still in business?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Lightolier is still in business. Founded in 1904 and made popular by its electric lighting designs, Lightolier, a contraction of the words light and chandelier, can still be found in stores today. You can also shop Lightolier goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.