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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

26
17,207
3,272
563
to
952
11,575
8,196
21,042
6,989
11,494
55,047
21,042
8,979
7,042
3,707
2,809
2,082
1,523
1,504
927
819
764
670
623
498
393
227
120
18
12
3,242
17,770
44
793
2,027
1
6
51
81
124
401
915
537
216
Height
to
Width
to
19,124
14,689
12,842
13,205
12,564
12,965
12,432
12,859
12,384
12,741
12,233
12,681
15,284
8,277
6,359
2,690
2,446
16,195
9,285
3,208
2,751
1,303
981
877
627
486
424
Style: Modern
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

Clément Cauvet 'PI' Table Lamp in Concrete and Steel for DCW éditions Paris
Located in Tilburg, NL
Clément Cauvet 'PI' Table Lamp in Concrete and Steel for DCW éditions Paris. New, current production. The object is on the border between a sculpture and an architectural building, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Concrete, Stainless Steel

Clément Cauvet 'TAU' Table Lamp in Concrete and Steel for DCW éditions Paris
Located in Tilburg, NL
Clément Cauvet 'TAU' Table Lamp in Concrete and Steel for DCW éditions Paris. New, current production. The object is on the border between a sculpture and an architectural building,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Concrete, Stainless Steel

Italian modern ceiling lamp Magnolia by Sergio Mazza for Quattrifolio, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern ceiling lamp Magnolia by Sergio Mazza for Quattrifolio, 1970s Ceiling lamp or ceiling light mod. Magnolia in white opaline glass with a round base. The lampshade devel...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Stunning Red Murano Glass Biomorphic Column Floor Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning Red Murano Glass Biomorphic Column Floor Lamp  Italy, circa 1990s Attributed to Donghia  Attributed to the renowned design house Donghia, this striking floor lamp epitomiz...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Italian lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian lamp Boalum by Livio Castiglioni Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide, 1970s Floor, table or pendant lamp mod. Boalum in translucent flexible PVC with resin terminals. Made up of...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Italian Murano Glass Gold Leaves Modern Flush Mount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
Exclusive production with precious Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion, creating a fabulous light effect. Available also with ice color glasses. Frame; gold-plated or nickel. Six...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Light object 018 _ black finish
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant light object. This light object emphasizes the strength of a simple line of light and how easily it can bring comfort and organize a space. Lead time: 8 weeks Dimensions: 81...
Category

2010s German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

De Castelli FOLIAGE 67 Suspended Lamp in Brass by Adele Martelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage is an ode to the eternal beauty of the passage of time and to the cycle of life as it is transformed and renewed: curves which flutter delicately in the sky as they are carri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modernist Rose Hand-Blown Murano Glass & Brass Sconces with Elongated Drop
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming and elegant Pair of Modernist Smoked Rose Hand-Blown Murano Glass & Brass Sconces W/ Elongated Drop originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Featuring a beautiful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sconces Five Elements by Stephane Ducatteau
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of sconces five elements by Stephane Ducatteau, original design, in oxidized steel and darkened patina. Very small production, dated and signed.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Minimalistic modern floor lamp Vega terra Bronze
Located in Hoegaarden, BE
The Vega Terra floor lamp, designed by Belgian designer Stéphane Lebrun, is a striking piece that blends modern aesthetics with timeless elegance. Crafted with meticulous attention t...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Large Wavey Murano Ceiling/ Wall Light
Located in Westport, CT
One textured clear blown Murano wavy sconce with silver hardware, comprised of six lights up to 60 watts each, can be displayed horizontally or vertically ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Laudarte Srl Leo Mirai Bohemian Crystal Odessa Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Laudarte Srl Leo Mirai Bohemian Crystal Odessa Table Lamps, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of Odessa table lamps with a sleek brass structure and bodie...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Brass and Murano Glass Sconce
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Murano glass, with silver glitters inclusion and brass.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern floor lamp One Floor Gray
Located in Hoegaarden, BE
The One reading floor lamp, designed by Stephan Lebrun, is a perfect blend of modern design and practical functionality. This elegant floor lamp features a sleek, minimalist silhouet...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Handmade Wall Lamp EGO, Geometric Green Marble Facade by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted wall lamp, model EGO with a geometric marble facade set on an oxidized brass finish base. The marble facade consists of four separate geometric panels. Stan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Carlo Nason Large Table Lamp "Bilboquet" in Murano Glass, 1970s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Carlo Nason parquet lamp "Bilboquet" in Murano glass, manufactured in Italy, 1970s Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano white glass and chrome floor lamp. Featuring two hand blown opal wh...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Light object 015 _ ARC
Located in Berlin, DE
Horizontal pendant light object. A refreshing take on LO015 combined with the arc shape of the successful PT01, LO015 ARC is dynamic and makes a delicate impact in any room or space...
Category

2010s German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

PAIR OF WALL APPLICATIONS Italians, end of the 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF WALL APPLICATIONS Italians, end of the 19th century. with two lights in relief metal, tulips in glass. Signs of use. Dim.: 20 x 33 cm. good conditions
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

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

Standing lamp - Spain 1970
Located in Girona, ES
Standing lamp with body made of ceramic balls in shades of blue-green and ochre, held in place by chrome-plated metal parts, such as the base. Renewed lampshade in green fabric. Sp...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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

Modernist Handblown Murano Smoked Honey Glass Sputnik with Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This graphic and sophisticated Sputnik was hand blown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

La Murrina chandelier 90s
Located in Milano, IT
Ceiling lamp, Murano glass diffuser. Good Condition
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Laudarte Srl of Italy Marble and Mother-Of-Pearl Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Laudarte Srl of Italy Marble and Mother-Of-Pearl Table Lamps, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of Sintex Table Lamps with sleek mosaic bodies of Mother-of-Pearl and stones from La...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stone, Marble, Brass

Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 40, Gold Silk Silvered Glass, Brass
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

Alberto Giacometti Plaster Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Alberto Giacometti style plaster table lamp with nice modern shade. Great addition to your Boho Chic inspired home and table tops. Very cool modern form!
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Plaster

Florian Schulz XL Brass Pendant Lamp or Ceiling Fixture
Located in Rijssen, NL
High quality brass pendant lamp or ceiling fixture by Florian Schulz. The light has an opening at the bottom for a round diffuser out of glass. It is 80 cm in diameter and radiates a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German 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

21st Century 6 Light Sculpture Set DORMIENTI by Renzo Buttazzo
Located in Paris, FR
21st century 6 light sculpture set DORMIENTI by Renzo Buttazzo. Light sculptures in Lecce Stone Delivered with a certificate of authenticity. Individual 1stDibs references Since 1...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stone, Limestone

21st Century 6 Light Sculpture Set EOLO by Renzo Buttazzo
Located in Paris, FR
21st century 6 light sculpture set EOLO by Renzo Buttazzo. Light sculptures in Lecce Stone Delivered with a certificate of authenticity. Individual 1stDibs references Since 1886 R...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stone, Limestone

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

Brass Geometric Task Pendant Lamp by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Geometric Task Pendant Lamp by Square in Circle Dimensions: W 42.5 x H 70 x D 38 cm Materials: Brushed brass finish, white frosted glass A play on ...
Category

2010s British 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 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

Murano Abstract Sommerso Glass "Tempest" Lamps 2024
Located in New York, NY
A modern take on a traditional method. This artisan pair of clear Murano glass block lamps contain a frenetic abstract swirl of vibrant green sommerso glass set against a polished br...
Category

2010s 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

Attilio Amato for Laudarte Srl "Big Prisma" Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Attilio Amato for Laudarte Srl "Big Prisma" Table Lamps, Pair Offered for sale is a stunning pair of "Big Prisma" amber crystal table lamps from the Attilio Amato Collezione of La...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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

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

Murano glass table lamp, "TIKI" by designer Takahama Kazuhide for Leucos
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano glass table lamp, "TIKI" by designer Takahama Kazuhide for Leucos A rare sculptural piece of living glass. One of the most important Murano glass lamps in Italy, made with a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Late 20th Century Pair of Brass w/ Gold Balls & Green Murano Glass Table Lamps
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
This pair of modern brass table lamps with a green Rostrato Murano glass as a basement fit almost any kind of environment and they are perfect to be placed on any environment. Differ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Barovier Et Toso Italian Murano Gold Dusted Glass Feather Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1940s) Murano gold dusted and textured glass chandelier with 12 large feather form arm emanating from a large internal light bowl base suspended by a 2-tier swir...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Modern Floor Lamp Iron Shiny Blackened, Led
Located in Roeselare, BE
floor lamp of black lacquered iron, shiny. with E27 led lamp or bulb of 60 watt. the lampshade above can be moved from back to front. Interesting reading lamp. Fits in any interior.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Iron

Elio Giudici Lumens Mistral Flush-Mount Chandelier, Largest LED Fixture, Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Elio Giudici Lumens Mistral Flush-Mount Chandelier, Largest LED Fixture, Italy This large 50 LED flush mount ceiling fixture has factory measurements as being 43" wide but the fixt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Wire, Chrome, Metal

Lampada da terra produzione FontanArte modello Sara
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Lampada da terra modello Sara, disegnata da Pierluigi Cerri per Gregotti Associati nel 1994 e prodotta da Fontana Arte. La lampada da terra Sara fa parte della collezione di lampade ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

21st Century White Ceiling Fixture, Arne Quinze by Atelier Boucquet
Located in Roeselare, BE
Spacy Ceiling fixture of polycarbonate painted mat white with leds, integrated driver.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Polyester

Contemporary Brass Wall Light Glas e14 Led Lamp
Located in Roeselare, BE
This wall light is made of brass profiles, chemically blackened. With wire glass and 3 e27 sockets with led lamp. For inside as well as outside.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Cylinder Wall Fixture Linen and Brass
Located in Roeselare, BE
Wall fixture in cylinder form made in brass and white linen. Also available as pendant. Available in round ceiling fixture and square wall fixture.
Category

Early 2000s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Wall Luminaire Brass LED
Located in Roeselare, BE
A wall fixture made of blackened brass in the form of an organ pipe. Outside black. Inside yellow brass. Above e27 lamp, at the bottom GU10 lamp. Or led.
Category

Early 2000s Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

[ARRAY] Aero Light Pendant
Located in ROTTERDAM, NL
The Aero Light Pendant features aluminium foam lampshades mounted on solid aluminium cylinders, combining functionality and aesthetics. Open-celled metal foam, has pores that make it...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

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

2010s Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Italian Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of three-armed brass and white fabric wall lights designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 17.5” H x 8.25” W x 8..5” D Back Plate Dimensions (in...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage 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

Italian Venetian Murano Gold Dusted Glass Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian Murano hand blown gold dusted 6 fluted arm chandeliers with flower bobeche & cup and three scroll arm supports rising from a 7th central light.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

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

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