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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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2,076
1,519
1,500
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Style: Modern
Contemporary sculptural ceramic wall sconce
Located in Stoughton, MA
Handbuilt ceramic wall sconce with draped/folded marbled stoneware clay, reminiscent of the natural world.The nature of the technique used to shape the clay adds a touch of uniquenes...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

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 clear glass globe for maximum ill...
Category

2010s American 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 12" - 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

Italian Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Paper, Italy, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 3 brass and beige parchment paper wall lights designed and produced in Italy, 1930s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 4.75” H x 3.5” W x 5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 1....
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Perla Pendant by Gaspare Asaro-White 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

Perla Pendant by Gaspare Asaro-White 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

Customizable Hand-Painted Ceramic "Two Squares" Lamp by James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
The "Two Squares" table lamp features a sleek rectangular base, slip-cast in stoneware, with circular, triangular and rectangular openings - arranged to suggest a classical architect...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American 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

Two ceramic ligth pendant by Roger Capron, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Two ceramic light pendant by Roger Capron, "pyjama" modele, 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

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

Monroe Icelandic Spar Sconce - Hardwired
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made of a naturally occurring stone, the Monroe Sconce emanates diffused light through hand-laid Icelandic spar. Expect natural variations in each unique sconce. OVERALL DIMENSIONS ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 12" - 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

Nura Ceiling Fixture - 12" - 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

Unique One-of-a-Kind Hand-Painted Ceramic "Cobalt Totem" Lamp by James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
The "Cobalt Totem" table lamp features a sleek rectangular base, slip-cast in stoneware, with six linear rectangular openings strategically placed to allow dimmable LED light to illu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Customizable Hand-Painted Ceramic "Facade" Lamp by James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
The "Facades" table lamp features a sleek rectangular base, slip-cast in stoneware, with circular, triangular and rectangular openings - arranged to suggest a classical architectural...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Brushed Satin Nickel and Hammered Bronze Mia Sconce - Outdoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Out...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Nickel, Bronze

Satin Brass and Hammered Bronze Mia Sconce - Outdoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Out...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Lampada a sospensione in vetro opalino
Located in Lugo, IT
Lampada a sospensione in vetro opalino e alluminio. Due vetri separati da un elemnto Altezza dei due vetri; 48 cm Un bollo di 5 cm mai visto su un vetro, possibile difetto nella prod...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Satin Brass Emil Lantern - Large - Outdoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A timeless addition for an entryway rendered in bent brass, the Emil Wall Lantern is an updated classic with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 11" W x 11" D x 26" H, 10" Globe...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Customizable Hand-Painted Ceramic "Cobalt Totem" Lamp by James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
The "Cobalt Totem" table lamp features a sleek rectangular base, slip-cast in stoneware, with six linear rectangular openings strategically placed to allow dimmable LED light to illu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Brass Emil Lantern - Large - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A timeless addition for an entryway rendered in bent brass, the Emil Wall Lantern is an updated classic with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 11" W x 11" D x 26" H, 10" Globe...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Sculptural, Contemporary Table Lamp, Blue, Green & Teal by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
This contemporary Margit Wittig table lamp sits on a rectangular slate base and includes hand cast spheres in blue and half moons in teal. The sculpted contemporary components, with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting

Materials

Slate, Brass

Modern Aluminum Wire Sphere Sculpture Chandelier Lighting
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This amazing chandelier is a work of art and is based off of an Italian iconic chandelier that retailed for over $12,000. It was purchased in 2011 by a Los Angeles interior designer ...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Monroe Icelandic Spar Sconce - Plug In
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made of a naturally occurring stone, the Monroe Sconce emanates diffused light through hand-laid Icelandic spar. Expect natural variations in each unique sconce. OVERALL DIMENSIONS ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Break the Mold: Marostica+Marostica+Brenta ceramic lamp by Jenna Basso Pietrobon
Located in New York, NY
The Marostica+Marostica+Brenta is a handmade ceramic lamp and part of a project entitled Break the Mold by artist Jenna Basso Pietrobon. Made in her family’s hometown of Nove di Bass...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Oil Rubbed Brass Emil Lantern - Large - Outdoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A timeless addition for an entryway rendered in bent brass, the Emil Wall Lantern is an updated classic with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 11" W x 11" D x 26" H, 10" Globe...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Satin Brass Emil Lantern - Large - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A timeless addition for an entryway rendered in bent brass, the Emil Wall Lantern is an updated classic with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 11" W x 11" D x 26" H, 10" Globe...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Oil Rubbed Brass Emil Lantern - Large - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A timeless addition for an entryway rendered in bent brass, the Emil Wall Lantern is an updated classic with a nod to tradition. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 11" W x 11" D x 26" H, 10" Globe...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Oil Rubbed Brass and Hammered Oil Rubbed Bronze Mia Sconce - Outdoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Out...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Brushed Satin Nickel and Hammered Bronze Mia Sconce - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Ind...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Oil Rubbed Brass and Hammered Oil Rubbed Bronze Mia Sconce - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Ind...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Satin Brass and Hammered Bronze Mia Sconce - Indoor Use
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mia Sconce is capped with a suspended hand-hammered bronze shade that reflects a warm glow. OVERALL DIMENSIONS 8.5" W x 12" D x 15" H, 6in Dia Globe WEIGHT 3.4 lbs LAMPING Ind...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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

Contemporary, Handmade Wall Lamp, Natural Rattan, White, Mediterranean Objects-A
Located in Barcelona, ES
AMÀ LAMP Amà, comes from the Catalan ''a mà'', which means ''handmade'', and it is how this contemporary lamp is made. With hand-turned beech wood, white metal details, and hand-wove...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Sculptural, Contemporary Table Lamp, 22ct Moon Gold Leaf by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
This contemporary monochromatic Margit Wittig table lamp is mounted on a slate base and features multiple resin handcrafted resin components. Each element is cast and patinated to in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting

Materials

Slate, Brass

Modern Six Light Rectangular Fixture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modern six light silver finished rectangular pendant chandelier, set with colorless faceted crystal prisms. Modern, European. Dimensions: Height 56", Width 62", Diameter 9". CW5259
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Iron

Modern 4 Arm Ruffled Glass Shades Brass Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Modern style brass plated steel four arm ruffled glass shades chandelier showcases modern elegance. The brass plated steel frame creates a sleek and stylish look, while the ruff...
Category

20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

21st Century Wabisabi 3 Led Lights Crystal Wall Lamp by Patrizia Garganti
Located in Sesto Fiorentino, IT
Wabisabi collection is inspired by the homonymous japanese philosophy, a sophisticated aesthetic vision applied to objects which expresses the desire to return to the essentials, fi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary, Handmade, Wall Lamp, Rattan Cone, by Mediterranean Objects
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Costa collection was conceived to provide a natural and simple touch to the spaces. All have been designed by Mediterranean Objects, and are handmade in Barcelona also by us. Wov...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modernist Conical Smoked Graphite Hand-Blown Murano Glass & Brass Sconces
Located in New York, NY
These beautifully composed and materially distinct Modernist Conical Hand-Blown Murano Glass Sconces in Smoked Graphite W/Brass Fittings originate from Italy during the 21st Century....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

"Lightning Form" Snowflake Chandelier in Milk White Glass and Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This stunning "lightning form" modernist chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

Table lamp model "Kongelys" (Royal Light)
Located in Kastrup, DK
Niels Rasmussen Thykier (Danish, 1883 - 1978). Table lamp model "Kongelys" (Royal Light) with patinated brass stem, base, top and shade ring. Mounted with a white acrylic shade. Desi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Plafoniera attribuita a Carlo Moretti - murrina
Located in Lugo, IT
Plafoniera attribuita a Carlo Moretti. Buone condizioni. Grazie
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass, Murrine

Cave Table Lamp by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Cave Table Lamp by kar Dimensions: W 22 x D 29 x H 31 cm Materials: Fiberglass. We are delighted to share the news with you that Cave Table Lamp is officially launched. This is the...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Lighting

Materials

Fiberglass

Beige Wavy Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wavy wall sconces made of a metal structure with LED lighting, covered with five Murano glass coloured panels. These sconces can be attached in any direction and assembled to create ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

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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