Classic Black and White Art Deco Revival Torchiere
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 68.75 in (174.63 cm)Diameter: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970/1980's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. working and original.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97871054732
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: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Chrome Art Deco Revival Hollywood Regency Torchiere AM2Z by Albini by NEMOBy Nemo Lighting 1, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco AlbiniLocated in New York, NYIconic Post Modern Art Deco Revival, Hollywood Regency style torchiere, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Heig, this example was made in Italy ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Art Deco Machine Age Chrome and Black Torchiere Uplight Floor Lamp, Ca. 1930'sBy Walter Von Nessen, Gilbert RohdeLocated in New York, NYRare Machine Age, Art Deco chrome and black uplight, torchiere, in very good, original, clean and working condition. Circa 1930's design in the style of Rohde, Deskey, Von Nessen etc...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Pr. Post Modern Memphis Style Torchieres att. to Sonneman for Kovacs c 1980/1990By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYStunning pair of Memphis, Post Modern halogen torchieres, design attributed to Sonneman, for Kovacs, circa 1980/1990's. The lamps feature a black mat finish with a green disk decorat...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Art Deco Machine Age Torchiere Floor Lamp by Rohde for Mutual Sunset Lamp Co.By Gilbert Rohde, Mutual Sunset Lamp Co.Located in New York, NYRare Gilbert Rohde designed torchiere floor lamp, made by the Mutual Sunset Lamp Co. c 1934. This lamp is in the harder to find brown and chrome color way, however this example show...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Black and Chrome Triennale Floor Lamp by SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYThis is the American answer to the classic Italian "Triennale" floor lamp for Arredoluce. The arms (each 36" L) pivot and tilt to adjust the direction of the light. Each arm has a ch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Chrome Ball Adjustable Floor Lamp with Black Base and StemsBy Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYThree light ball top floor lamp, each ball fixture will adjust in position to direct the light, and each has its own on/off switch. Classic 1970s black and chrome floor lamp. Each sh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Art Deco Vintage Black White and Gold Torchiere Floor LampLocated in Delray Beach, FLExceptional vintage art deco revival torchiere floor lamp. Features a black and white speckled finish with a brass and lucite base and shade.Category
Vintage 1980s Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Art Deco White Plaster Torchiere Floor LampLocated in Delray Beach, FLExceptional plaster torchiere lamp. Square body and top with a white finish. By pacific coast lighting.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of Elegant Art Deco Revival Lucite Torchieres by Hivo Van TealBy Hivo Van TealLocated in Chicago, ILPair of tall and elegant Lucite torchieres with gilt metal reverse shades by Lucite artist Hivo Van Teal. Tapered bodies with etched stylized chevron ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Art Deco Torchiere Floor LampLocated in Los Angeles, CAArt Deco mixed metal floor lamp. This lamp features a spun aluminum top shade and a chrome plated stem and base. The lamp has alternating chrome and black enameled details. Dimensio...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum, Chrome
- Marbro Moderne Art Deco TorchiereBy The Marbro Lamp CompanyLocated in San Mateo, CAModerne Art Deco torchiere by Marbro Lamp Co. This lamp has a ribbed wood column with an aluminum shade and base. The lamp has a three way mogul soc...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- French Art Deco Black & Gold Floor Lamp Torchiere , 1930'sLocated in New York, NYA French Art Deco period torchiere floor lamp from France circa 1930. The conical ebonized shaft stands upon a circular gold painted metal base and supports a shallow gold painted bo...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal