Robert Sonneman Saturn Desk or Table Lamp Postmodern
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Diameter: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)
- Power Source:Plug-in
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition, some light tarnish. There are two small breaks in the metal in the bottom side, and a very tiny dent to the top, none of which is readily noticeable. (pictures #7, 8).
- Seller Location:Chesterfield, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2670335023662
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: Chesterfield, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Robert Sonneman Kovacs Mid Century Modern Modernist Chrome Floor Lamp TorchiereBy Robert Sonneman, KovacsLocated in Chesterfield, NJThis beautiful and minimalist floor lamp was designed by Robert Sonneman and manufactured by Kovacs. The lamp is made of high-quality chrome and is heavy and well-made. It consists o...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Pair George Kovacs Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Travertine Desk or Table LampsLocated in Chesterfield, NJBeautiful pair of minimalist styled desk or table lamps manufactured by George Kovacs. These lamps have a cantilevered chrome body with quarter-round travertine stone accents. The la...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine, Chrome
- Kurt Versen Mid-Century Modern Cone Gooseneck Desk LampBy Kurt VersenLocated in Chesterfield, NJVery cool and practical cone gooseneck desk lamp designed by Kurt Versen. This lamp can be adjusted in an infinite variety of positions so that the light can be directed just where you need it.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Cofrac Art Verrier France Freeform Crystal Table LampBy CofracLocated in Chesterfield, NJGlamorous hand blown crystal lamp by Cofrac Art Verrier France. This heavy and impressive sized lamp has a fluid, freeform shaped shade and b...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Weinberg Style Mid Century Modernist Geometric Abstract Table LampBy Frederic WeinbergLocated in Chesterfield, NJUnique and beautiful Frederic Weinberg 1950's style modernist lamp. This lamp has an ebonized wood crescent shape resting on a round black metal base with brass accents, and includes...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Monumental Size Mid-Century Modern Pieri Tullio Table LampsBy Pieri TullioLocated in Chesterfield, NJFun and funky pair of large table lamps from 1975 by Italian designer, Pieri Tullio. These heavy and well-made lamps have a unique textured design and the original shades. Marked on ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlaster
- Iconic Saturn Desk Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Asbury Park, NJGreat 1980's "Saturn" desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. In great vintage condition. Lamp looks great when turned on and has a dimmer switch to alter the intensity of the light.Category
Vintage 1980s American Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 1960 UFO/ Saturn Desk Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Waxahachie, TXFree shipping in the continental United States. Robert Sonneman style "Saturn" halogen table lamp, inspired by the ringed planet, features a circular glass shade that sits underneat...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Architectural Desk Lamp, Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in London, GBA lovely example of Robert Sonneman Memphis design table/desk lamp. Matte black finish with thick glass top diffuser. Dimmable switch. Wonderful archi...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman Desk or Table Lamp for George Kovacs, 1990By Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Miami, FLDark bronzed metal base with wood accent and sandblasted opaque glass shade desk or table lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1990.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Postmodern Counterweight Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman, USA 1970-80sBy Robert Sonneman, Sonneman LightingLocated in Vorst, BEIngenious desk lamp with a counterweight mechanism which allows the lamp to be stable in every position. The spheric counterweight is solid steel and heavy enough to point or positio...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
- 1980s Gorgeous Robert Sonneman "Saturn" Table Lamp for Gerorge KovacsBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Milano, IT1980s Gorgeous Robert Sonneman "Saturn" Table Lamp for Gerorge Kovacs. This lamp is an icon lamp. It works perfectly and is in excellent condition. Dimension: diameter 17,32"x 19,6...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal