Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

20
17,192
3,271
562
to
950
11,614
8,139
21,025
6,989
11,499
55,075
21,025
8,989
7,049
3,709
2,807
2,083
1,526
1,505
929
820
764
670
623
498
392
227
120
18
12
3,241
17,754
44
795
2,024
1
6
51
81
124
403
914
536
216
Height
to
Width
to
19,106
14,677
12,828
13,193
12,549
12,952
12,417
12,846
12,369
12,728
12,218
12,668
15,266
8,285
6,366
2,693
2,421
16,184
9,297
3,202
2,745
1,285
981
877
627
486
424
Style: Modern
Modern Vintage Table Lamp Ceramic Brass Floral Fauna Butterfly Flowers 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage table lamp from ceramic and brass with multicolored printed floral and fauna butterfly and flowers decor 1980s. This amazing and charming table lamp from ceramic and b...
Category

Late 20th Century 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

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

Visionnaire Isottta Chain Link Luxury Table Lamp Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This great Italian Visionnaire Isotta table lamp is aluminum with chain link metal aluminum original chic shade. It has great ambient lighting at night through the chain link shade. ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

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

Black Wrought Iron Chandelier in the Manner of Raymond Subes, 20th Century
Located in New York City, NY
Black Wrought Iron Chandelier in the Manner of Raymond Subes, France, 20th Century A small but striking gothic chandelier in hand-hammered wrought iron. The structure and cups show ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

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

“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

“Flame” contemporary small wall sconce White 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

Workstead Oak and Brass Double Bulb Lodge Linear Sconce, USA, 2020
Located in Miami, FL
Modern double bulb wall sconce rendered in natural oak cylinder body and hewn brass canopy wall plate, USA, 2020
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Light object 001 _ Black
Located in Berlin, DE
LIGHT OBJECT 001 Suitable for ceiling, wall, floor and table. The iconic Light Object 001 is the first light object that Naama Hofman designed and developed. It has an even warm glow...
Category

2010s German 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, 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, 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

"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

Pair of Wall Lamp Sconce in Gold Patina and White Lamp Shades
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Pair of wall lamp sconce in gold patina and white lamp shades, wooden baze in chestnut. Four lampshade in white fabric and golden braid.  Information about the covid 19. At this poi...
Category

2010s French 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

“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

Luci Milano Table Lamp, 1980s Pop Design, Memphis Style, Italian Collectible
Located in Milano, IT
Memphis Style Lamp - 1980s Pop Design - Decorative Table Lamp Vintage 1980s table lamp by Luci Milano, with a cone-shaped base and a slender adjustable arm. Finished in black, it ha...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Smoked Pink Glass w/ Reeded Brass Sconces
Located in New York, NY
This elegantly minimal Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Sconces in Smoked Pink Garnet Hue W/ Reeded Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Featuring a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Sakura Pink Floral Chandelier & Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This ornate and alluring Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Sakura Pink Floral Chandelier W/ Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Composed of a numerous array...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Fluted Glass Sconces W/ 24kt Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This glamorous Pair of Modernist Transparent Hand-Blown Murano Fluted Glass Sconces W/ 24kt Gold Flecks originates from Italy during the 21st Cent...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold, Brass

Large & Tall Hollywood Regency Italian Brass & Glass Chandelier for Foyer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive tall chandelier circa 1980's and probably Italian. It features gold-plated brass framing with art glass shades in a spiral form. Tested and working. Takes 12 ...
Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Light object 019_Natural brass
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant light object. Beautiful with a clear presence, a light object that can fit in many locations, in residences, restaurants or hotels. Lead time: 8 weeks Dimensions: 120 cm x 4...
Category

2010s German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Murano Glass Bubble Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Chic and modern, this Murano glass floor lamp has an ivory-white silk shade and a tall column of transparent, blown glass spheres. The bead-like spheres have a uniform ribbed texture...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Contemporary, Handmade Table Lamp, Natural Rattan Brass, Mediterranean Objects
Located in Barcelona, ES
The VOL table lamp has a simple combination of lines and volumes, which create a geometric sculptural form, while being optimal in its shape for lighting spaces. It has a conical sh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Tall Silver Table Lamps Silver and Sky Blue Modern Table Lamps Vase Lamp
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage a pair tall modern mercury silver colored vase lamps table lamps Old silver with blue lampshades ( new condition ) Style: Modern , timeless, design, French Country, French pr...
Category

1990s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Silk, Glass, Acrylic

Belux System lamp designed by Guillermo Capdevilla, 1981.
Located in FERROL, ES
Belux System lamp designed by Guillermo Capdevilla, 1981. Two mobile arms made of red lacquered metal, the plastic lampshade. Plastic table holder. E27 bulb The arms measure 110 c...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Max Sauze Beautiful Silver Orion 60 Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Max Sauze Beautiful Silver Orion 60 Lighting Materials: Silver Diameter: 60 cm. We also have it in different dimensions (48, 60, 75, 100 cm) and colors (Silver cop, gold, salmon). M...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Silver

Mid-Century Modern Three-Tier Lucite and Mirror Mirrored Pendant Lamp Chandelier
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid-Century Modern three-tier Lucite glass mirror pendant chandelier. The chain cord is 24" and you can hang at a shorter length, if needed.
Category

1970s North American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Acrylic

Modern Italian Vintage Marble Glass Metal Floor Lamps Duo Pair Poliarte 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern Hollywood Regency style pair of vintage floor lamps by Albano Poli for Poliarte 1980s Italy from marble, glass, chromed metal and perspex. An elegant pair of floor lamps in mi...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble

Dark Aged Brass Plus Ten Chandelier by Paul Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Aged Brass Plus Ten Chandelier by Paul Matter Dimensions: W 120 x D 33 x H 53 cm (Minimun drop lenght) Materials: Dark Aged Brass Drop Length/Height can be customized. Please co...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Burnt Brass Plus Four Chandelier by Paul Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnt Brass Plus Four Chandelier by Paul Matter Dimensions: W 48 x D 33 x H 53 cm (Minimun drop lenght) Materials: Burnt Brass Drop Length/Height can be customized. Other versions of...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Aged Brass Plus Ten Chandelier by Paul Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Aged Brass Plus Ten Chandelier by Paul Matter Dimensions: W 120 x D 33 x H 53 cm (Minimun drop lenght) Materials: Aged Brass Drop Length/Height can be customized. Please contact us f...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Native Floor Light 10 by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Native floor light 10 by Hot Wire Extensions Limited edition Materials: Waste SLS 3D nylon powder, sand from sustainable sources Dimensions: L 34 x W 18 x H 66 cm All our lamps can...
Category

2010s British Modern Lighting

Materials

Nylon

Ingo Maurer. Lamp model “Bibibibi”. 1980s.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ingo Maurer, par. “Bibibibi” model lamp. Shaft representing red bird legs, with its adjustable diffuser in black lacquered metal ending in a feather. Round colored white porcelain b...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Crystal cascade chandelier with long hangings
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
A brass chandelier with a rich cascade of lead crystal crystal pendants. The oats are hand-ground and polished. This model is quite rare and will light up the interior day and night....
Category

1980s Belgian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Satin Brass Cecil Sconce - Milk Glass Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Form and function meet with the Cecil Sconce’s undulating bent brass arm and swiveling backplate. Choose either a milk glass globe for ambiance or a c...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mermaid Glass Decorative Lamp
Located in İstanbul, TR
nspired by the iridescent beauty of the ocean depths, this lamp showcases a mesmerizing gradient of blue hues, reminiscent of the ever-changing colors of the sea.Immerse yourself in ...
Category

2010s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Scarlet Sunset Glass Decorative Lamp
Located in İstanbul, TR
Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of a radiant sunset, this lamp embraces the rich and alluring shades of red, transitioning seamlessly from deep crimson to vibrant scarlet. Let it...
Category

2010s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Perla Pendant by Gaspare Asaro-Black and Satin Brass
Located in New York, NY
The Perla Pendant features an organic brass shell nestling our Sfera glass handblown in Tuscany. Also available as a flush mount or wall light. See the Perla Mini for the smaller ver...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Ceramic pendant by Roger Capron, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
ceramic light pendant by Roger Capron, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Reggiani Italy Tiered Six Arm "Horn" Chrome Ceiling Lamp, 1970s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Smaller Italian Modern Reggiani chrome plated six arm "Trumpet" Hanging Lamp. Featuring six alternating, tiered height horns, six standard ceramic sockets shown with globe bulbs. Eac...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 18" - Au Lait Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Nura Ceiling Fixture combines hand-stitched leather over walnut accented by a brass pole and canopy. This fixture can either be hung as a ceiling surface mount or a pendant suppo...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Onos 55 Double Pull Brass Pendant Lamp by Florian Schulz, Germany
Located in Rijssen, NL
Fantastic pendant light Onos-55 Double Pull  by Florian Schulz, Germany, Europe. Design period: 1970-1979, production period: 2022. Two brass polished unlacquered pendants suspended...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Max Ingrand Dahlia Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand Dahlia chandelier. Polished & nickeled brass, curved glass. 16 Arms, each ending with a candelabra socket. Glass petals alternate betwee...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Two light ceramic pendants by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Two ceramic light pendant by Roger Capron, circa 1960's One is signed and open on the top, the other is stamped and closed on the top
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Italian modern metal Spinnaker table lamp, Corsini & Wiskemann for Stilnovo 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Spinnaker table lamp in chromed and painted metal by Corsini & Wiskemann for Stilnovo Table lamp with metal base with crackle finish and chromed metal structure and sail lampshade, i...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 18" - Juniper Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Nura Ceiling Fixture combines hand-stitched leather over walnut accented by a brass pole and canopy. This fixture can either be hung as a ceiling surface mount or a pendant suppo...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 18" - Cognac Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Nura Ceiling Fixture combines hand-stitched leather over walnut accented by a brass pole and canopy. This fixture can either be hung as a ceiling surface mount or a pendant suppo...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass Cecil Sconce - Milk Glass Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Form and function meet with the Cecil Sconce’s undulating bent brass arm and swiveling backplate. Choose either a milk glass globe for ambiance or a clear glass globe for maximum ill...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Revolve Rise and Fall Pendant Light, Brushed Brass, Green by Bert Frank
Located in Geneve, CH
Revolve rise and fall pendant light - Brushed brass - Green by Bert Frank Dimensions: 30 x 35 x 11 cm, small lamp 7.6 cm Materials: Brass, steel   When Adam Yeats and Robbie Llewell...
Category

2010s British Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Ceramic Pyjama light pendant by Roger Capron, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
ceramic lignt pendant by Roger Capron, Pyjama model, stamped on the top
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Brass Cecil Sconce - Clear Glass Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Form and function meet with the Cecil Sconce’s undulating bent brass arm and swiveling backplate. Choose either a milk glass globe for ambiance or a clear glass globe for maximum ill...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Satin Brass Cecil Sconce - Clear Glass Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Form and function meet with the Cecil Sconce’s undulating bent brass arm and swiveling backplate. Choose either a milk glass globe for ambiance or a clear glass globe for maximum ill...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

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.

Read More

Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?

Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.

See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes

There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.

Why Drew McGukin’s Colorful Home Differs from Those of His Clients

The New York–based designer has a high-impact style that's all his own, as his loft in the Chelsea Flower District makes abundantly clear.

Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces

Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.

New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present

The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.

How a Modernist Hamptons Home on the Water Became the Ideal Weekend Refuge

Damon Liss and Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects collaborated on this serene getaway for a minimalism-minded Manhattan family of four.

Desert Modern Designer Arthur Elrod Finally Gets His Day in the Sun

The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.

Artelinea, Mexico City’s One-Stop Contemporary Design Shop, Paves the Way for a New Wave of Mexican Designers

Wielding her influence on the international scene, founding partner Andrea Cesarman expands the platform for Mexican artisans.

Recently Viewed

View All