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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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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1,517
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9,285
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Style: Modern
Late 20th Century Pair of Brass, Steel & Faded Blown Murano Glass Table Lamps
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
This pair of classic table lamps fit almost any kind of environment and they are perfect for any bedroom side tables. The mix of brass, brushed steel & faded blown Murano art glass (...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel, Brass

Late 20th Century Pair of Italian Brass w/ Green & White Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
This pair of modern brass table lamps with an inclusion of hand made ceramic fit almost any kind of environment and they are perfect to be placed either on any leaving room or any bedroom. A round celedon green ceramic plate...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair Contemporary Green Blown Glass Table Lamps with Black White Paper Lampshade
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging and contemporary pair of green blown glass table lamps are two high craftemenship pieces and they were made in United Kingdom. These table lamps can be considered as ob...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass, Paper

Monarch Table Lamp with Glass Dome, Carla Baz
Located in Geneve, CH
Monarch table lamp with glass dome - Carla Baz Dimensions: ø 24 x H 50 cm Weight: 8.5 kg Material: Painted metal, Brass, Marble Monarch lighting series has been developed with ...
Category

2010s Lebanese Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Pair of Forged Metal in White Gold Finish with Silk Lampshade Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a wall light that can't be un-noticed with its important height. The light that goes through the lampshade becomes dramatic and it is possible to obtein a room with glamour a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

CTO Nimbus Pendant Dark Bronze
Located in Boston, MA
Finish: Handmade Glass and Dark Bronze
Category

2010s Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

French Designer, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, France, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A three-armed brass and rattan wall light designed and produced in France, 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16” H x 21” W x 17.75” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 3.75” H x.50”...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pretty Table Lamp Mat Finishing Violet Silk, silvered glass circle
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Pretty lamp is entirely hand-made in Tuscany, Italy, and it is inspired by a young girl, a very pretty woman. Pretty is a lamp that has characteristics of softness and strength, it i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger Style Brass Ball Lamp by Stiffel
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-century brass Stiffel lamp in the style of Tommi Parzinger. Stacked brass ball style with overall unpolished patina. Lamp is newly rewired with new double socket. Lamp takes 2 st...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Sabrina's Silvered Glass color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass Fumè color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass rose color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass aquamarine color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass jade color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass white color
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
WALL BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Since 20 years, we have perpetuated our unique manufacturing method. Inspired by unlimited glass reflections, Sabrina Landi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly 8 wings, Chandelier, art Silvered Glass Sun, melted Brass Body
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Sabrina Landini for 20 years , pays homage to glass surfaces in her expression of silvered masterworks, the hallmark of each ite...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 40, Silk Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
For 20 years, we have been committed to offering you unique collections in terms of design and quality. Using an ancestral manufacturing silvering method, all our iconic products are...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

“Tiffany” Wall Lamp Bow Tie 25, Bicolor Blue Silk, Satin Brass, Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Tiffany, a timeless lamp, inspired by the international movie “Breakfast at Tiffany” and the talented character Audrey Hepburn, is a contemporary lamp, entirely made in Tuscany, Ital...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tenfold Pendant 3TA 24inch, Polished Nickel, Brutalist, Geometric Ceiling Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD PENDANT 3TA 18inch, Polished Nickel by Luft Tanaka Studio Composed of interlocking mirror polished sheetmetal panels, the Tenfold Series is inspired by brutalism and the arc...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Brass

“Tiffany” Table Lamp 30 Orange Silk, Antiqued Brass, Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TIFFANY the iconic lamp! For 20 years, we have been committed to offering you unique collections in terms of design and quality. Using an ancestral manufacturing silvering method, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

1970s Brown and Amber Murano Glass Italian Square Wall Sconces
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A pair of square wall sconces designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies, the semi curved brown and amber glass depicts two different figures of woman. They are in working o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Pendant Olive Murano Glass
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-century modern Murano pendant lamp is a beautiful olive color with brick red and burnt sienna veins concentrated at the edge, reminiscent of a jasper stone. The subtle shift...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 23, Silver Silk, Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Tiffany, a timeless lamp, inspired by the international movie “Breakfast at Tiffany” and the talented character Audrey Hepburn, is a contemporary lamp, entirely made in Tuscany, Ital...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Italian modern Boalum lamp, Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide 1990
Located in MIlano, IT
Floor or table lamp, Boalum model, with flexible and translucent PVC structure, reinforced with resin terminals which make it practically indestructible. It emits a diffused light an...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic, PVC

Alfredo Häberli Nox Wireless Lamp for Astep
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Nox Design by Alfredo Häberli Distinctive to Nox is its wireless charging system with induction technology, enabling this sophisticated and highly versatile lamp to be used unplugged...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

Black Metal & Brass Chandelier, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Black Metal & Brass Chandelier Made in Italy Modern 12 arm Italian chandelier in brass with black metal shades. 44"dia x 35"h Ref. L4597
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Designer, Wall Light, Copper, Fabric, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A copper and white fabric wall light designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12” H x 13” W x 7” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 4” H x 4” W x .75”D ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Copper

Pair of Plaster Lamps with Raffia Shades
By (after) Jean Michel Frank, Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Pair of plaster lamps and custom-made raffia shades Name of model: "Palma" This production is inspired by the plaster lamp created by Giacometti for Jean-Michel Frank in the 30's. ...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Raffia, Plaster

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Black Leather Belt Ceiling Light for Flos, Italy, 2021
Located in Miami, FL
Versatile modern ceiling light withe a led light frame rendered in extruded aluminum hanging from black leather strapping by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Flos, Italy 2021
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Modernist Oil Rubbed Bronze Chandelier with Organic Hand Blown Murano Shades
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production- by High Style Deco. It fe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Italian Table Lamp "Palio" by Perry King for Arteluce '80s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
"Palio" table lamp by Perry King and Santiago Miranda designed for Arteluce, Italy 1980s. The lamp has two opal glass diffusers, a floating copper metal lampshade and a solid metal b...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pair of Terzani Antinea Wall Lights by Jean-Francois Crochet, Italy 1989
Located in Cork, IE
This most decorative and rather large pair of "Antinea" wall lamps was designed by Jean-Francois Crochet for the renowned Italian lighting company Terzani. The sconces have a rusti...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

Boyd Globe Chandelier in Black
Located in Dallas, TX
Winner of the ADEX award by Design Journal and a long-time best-seller, Globe features a round, gloss white, acrylic diffuser in multiple diameters and industrial construction with i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Black Metal & Satin Glass Pendant, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Black Metal & Satin Glass Pendant Made in Italy Satin glass with black metal reflector and brass hardware. 25”dia x 40”h Ref. L4895
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Black x Nickel Signal Floor Lamp from Souda, Made to Order
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 shade which houses...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Signal Table Lamp from Souda, Black & Nickel, Made to Order
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...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel, Iron

Modernist Handblown Murano Frosted Pink Hue Glass & Brass Sputnik Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and well balanced Modernist Handblown Murano Glass Sputnik Chandelier w/ Frosted Pink Hued Shades & Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Feature...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modern glass table lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of glass modern lamps
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Handmade Athos Chandelier by Gobo Lights
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Athos chandelier by Gobo Lights Dimensions: 190 L X 110 L X 170 H Materials: Brass, Opaline This lamp takes the shape of the bow used by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. ...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Goatskin Parchment and Brass Table Lamp by Enrique Garcel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s Colombian goatskin parchment and polish brass table lamp by Enrique Garcel. Newly rewired with all new hardware and new linen shade. Constructed of wood covered with goatski...
Category

1970s Colombian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Euphoria Glass Table Lamp
Located in İstanbul, TR
Inspired by the iridescent wonders of nature, “Euphoria” is designed to be more than just a source of light. It is an art piece that creates a luminous dreamscape, enchanting those w...
Category

2010s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

TIM large - Clear mouthblown crystal glass pendant
Located in Prague, CZ
**Sold directly from the manufacturer. Mouthblown, handmade Clear crystal glass with Polished Silver, Matte Black, Brushed Copper, or Polished Copper metal finishes ** The inspirati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Black Bronze Jewel Lamps by Elan Atelier (IN STOCK)
Located in New York, NY
One pair of Jewel Table Lamps immediately available. Crated in a wooden crate and shipping from California. The shipping cost is additional. The Jewel is elliptical, carefully holdi...
Category

2010s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary, Handmade Pendant Lamp, Natural Rattan Brass, Mediterranean Objects
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amà, comes from the Catalan ''a mà'', which means ''handmade'', and is how this lamp is made. With hand-turned beech wood, solid brass details, and a domed shade, hand-woven in natur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Custom Branch Form Hand-blown Murano Glass w/ 24k Gold & Brass Fitted Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This stunningly elegant Custom Branch Form Hand-blown Murano Glass Chandelier in Transparent & 24Karat Gold Flecks & Brushed Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Cent...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold, Brass

Modern Chrome Pendant Lighting with 6 Glass Globes
Located in Pasadena, CA
This Modern Chrome Pendant Lighting in the '70s style features six glass globes suspended from sleek chrome branches. The pendant lighting's six branches are interwoven in what could...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Bruchi Marble Table Lamp by Niko Koronis
Located in Geneve, CH
Bruchi lamp by Niko Koronis Dimensions: W 37.5 x D 7 x H 35 Materials: Verde Guatemala Also Available: Rosso Levanto, please contact us All our lamps can be wired according ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble

“Flame” Mini Contemporary Wall Sconce Black Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Bullicante Detailed Glass & Brass Fitted Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
These bold and materially stunning Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Table Lamps W/ Bullicante Detailing in Smoked Bronze & Brass Fittings originate from Italy during the 21st Centur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

“Flame” Mini Contemporary Wall Sconce Rose Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

“Flame” contemporary small wall sconce Cerulean Blue Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

"Trilogy" Mini Contemporary Wall lamp, aquamarine Silvered art Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TRILOGY Three in one. Rays of lights embracing each other For 20 years we explore the three-dimensionality of each item, sculpted by the artisan hands in our Atelier. The Trilogy's...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

“Flame” Mini Contemporary Wall Sconce Sun Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

"Trilogy" Mini Contemporary Wall Lamp, Sun Silvered Art Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TRILOGY Three in one. Rays of lights embracing each other For 20 years we explore the three-dimensionality of each item, sculpted by the artisan hands in our Atelier. The Trilogy's...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

“Flame” Mini Contemporary Wall Sconce Aquamarine Silvered art Glass, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FLAME A leaf, a drop, a shield . Love first’s step Nature’s beauty has always inspired Sabrina Landini creations - such as these exquisite earrings wall lamps that evoke leaves, fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

"Trilogy" Mini Contemporary Wall Lamp, Fumè Silvered art Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TRILOGY Three in one. Rays of lights embracing each other For 20 years we explore the three-dimensionality of each item, sculpted by the artisan hands in our Atelier. The Trilogy's...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

"Trilogy" Mini Contemporary Wall lamp, Black Silvered art Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TRILOGY Three in one. Rays of lights embracing each other For 20 years we explore the three-dimensionality of each item, sculpted by the artisan hands in our Atelier. The Trilogy's...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Zucc, Set of 2 Pendant Lamp, made by turned solid wood by CMX
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
The ZUCC Pendant Lamp is carefully crafted from turned solid wood, highlighting the intrinsic natural beauty of the material. Its design embraces a natural aesthetic that adds warmth...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Lighting

Materials

Wood

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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