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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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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Style: Modern
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
Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Decorative Pendant lamp Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted pendant lamp model "STECCA", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context.
Shown in the first photo in na...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Painting the Light nos One to Four by Ango, Handcrafted Lighting
By Ango
Located in Bangkok, TH
Imagined painted forms, incarnated in light and rendered as freeform sculptures in four colours.
Each piece is created in three dimensions to be hung in a sequence of unplanned ench...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Lighting
Materials
Other
Satin Brass Emil Lantern - Small - Indoor Use
By RTO Lighting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The scaled-down version of our Emil Wall Lantern provides versatility both indoors and out. Clean bent brass lines update this classic lantern with a nod to tradition.
OVERALL DIMEN...
Category
2010s American Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Tetra I Flush Mount Light by Studio DUNN
By Studio DUNN
Located in Rumford, RI
The Tetra I embodies contemporary elegance as a flush mount lighting fixture with bold, striking geometry and a hint of playfulness. Inspired by 90s puzzle video games, the Tetra I i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Tetra III Flush Mount Light by Studio DUNN
By Studio DUNN
Located in Rumford, RI
The Tetra III embodies contemporary elegance as a flush mount lighting fixture with striking geometry and a hint of playfulness. Inspired by 90s puzzle video games, the Tetra III inv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Brass
Two Scorza Model Murano Glass Appliques by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, Italy
By Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Milan, Italy
Two wall lights in blown glass, hand-shaped with irregular reliefs, milky white and transparent. Zest model. Design Toni Zuccheri for Venini, produced in the 70s.
Biography
Italian ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Tetra V Flush Mount Light by Studio DUNN
By Studio DUNN
Located in Rumford, RI
Inspired by 90s puzzle video games, the Tetra V combines playfulness with contemporary elegance as a flush mount lighting fixture with striking geometry. Drawing from its Greek origi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Light object 014
By Naama Hofman
Located in Berlin, DE
Wall light object.
Formed by basic geometric shapes: circle and a line. Elegant and simple, this light object is a true design masterpiece.
Lead time: 8 weeks
Dimensions: 80/60/40 ...
Category
2010s German Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Hand-painted Ceramic Vietnamese Leaves Origami Table Lamp by James Hicks
By James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
A hand-painted ceramic table lamp meticulously crafted in Vietnam to the specifications of James Hicks. This lamp harmoniously blends modern 3D form with the Vietnamese tradition of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Small Mushroom Shaped Pink Murano Glass Table Lamps with Brass
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of lovely table lamps, made of a single piece of Murano glass tinted in light pink, sat on a brass base.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Blue Murano Glass Flowers Flush Mount, 1980s Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The chandelier is made of blue Murano glass flowers, over a round metal gridded frame. The Fixture requires four European E14 / 110 Volt Candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 60 watts. I...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Light Object 017
By Naama Hofman
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant light object.
Long and slim, this light object contains light in a pure form.
Lead time: 8 weeks
Dimensions: 90 cm (height to order)
Materials: brass, acrylic tube, LED lig...
Category
2010s German Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary by Chitarrini Studio Handmade Table Lamp Natural Rattan White - Auc
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amà, comes from the Catalan ''a mà'', which means ''handmade'', and is how this lamp is made. With hand-turned beech wood, solid brass details, and a domed shade, hand-woven in natur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Peono Table Lamp in White Alabaster
Located in Consuegra, ES
Spherical lines layered elegantly to form a bold, modern shape. The Peono table lamp marries materials and plays with contrasts. Alabaster, marble or wood can be associated to the so...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Metalarte Brass Reading Floor Lamps, Spain 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Brass reading floor lamps by Metalarte in brass, fully adjustable in height from 50” to 70”. Shades included
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
One-of-a-Kind Handmade Red Glazed Ceramic "Dancing Circles" Lamp by James Hicks
By James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with precision and sophistication, this one-of-a-kind piece features a rectangular clay prism adorned with a random array of circular openings. This version shown is glazed r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Baker Furniture Murano Frosted Glass table lamps large scaled Italy modern
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Amazing pair of frosted green table lamps - glass body is approx 11 inches diameter x 15 inches high plus 10-14 inch adjustable shade holder.
Shades photographed measure approx 18 in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Pink Murano Glass Curved Wall Sconces with Brass Accents
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall sconces made of a metal back plate, curved Murano glass diffuser with an embossed honeycomb pattern tinted in pink. Finished by brass hardware.
One source of light per sconce
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Unique Hand-Painted Ceramic "Random Openings" Lamp by James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
The"Random Openings" table lamp features a sleek rectangular base, slip-cast in stoneware, with six linear rectangular openings strategically placed to allow dimmable LED light to il...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Customizable Glazed Ceramic "Dancing Circles" Lamp by James Hicks
By James Hicks
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with precision and sophistication, this one-of-a-kind piece features a rectangular clay prism adorned with a random array of circular openings. This version shown is glazed r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Murano Glass Light Green Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Italian hand-blown Murano glass table lamps in a polished light green glass fading to clear just below 23-carat gold flecked rings. At once formal and nonchalant; these sleek lights ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Purple Battuto Table Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass lamps made of hand-blown glass in a purple tone. They are crafted in the battuto technique, which creates a hammered appearance to the glass. They have been newl...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Bronze & Leather Floor Lamp by Arlus, France 1950's
By Arlus
Located in New York, NY
Large Bronze and leather floor lamp, a massive tripod bronze base supports the center stem, leather wrapped pole and an adjustable system that allows to raise or lower the shade from...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Reverse-Dome Trophy Sconces in Murano Milk Glass and Brass
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic and graphic pair of "trophy" sconces were created in Murano, Italy- the islands off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for their superlative glass production. C...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary, Handmade Floor Lamp, Wood, Brass, Fabric, Mediterranean Objects -A
Located in Barcelona, ES
The floor lamp SERIE 1222 is handmade in our workshops of wood and brass turnery. It is composed of pieces screwed together with brass details. The wood is beech, finished in cherry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Bakalowits & Söhne 1960s Crystal Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Sparkling like white large diamond 1960 crystal chandelier with nickel on bronze frame.
Sixteen lights, 60 watts max each.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Nickel
Soho Chandelier, Contemporary, Brass with Sculpted Spheres by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
This contemporary three-tier chandelier by Margit Wittig features sculptural components with organic and subtle textures, all cast and treated with multiple layers of patina in her L...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Blue Murano Glass Flowers Flush Mount, 1980s Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The chandelier is made of blue Murano glass flowers, over a round metal gridded frame. The Fixture requires two European E27 / 110 Volt Edison bulbs, each bulb up to 60 watts. It is ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Floor Lamp
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Lamp structure in mdf finished with wood veneer and resin
Andrea Vargas Dieppa emerges as a figure of complexity and daring delicacy, possessing an unrivaled intuitive energy to cra...
Category
2010s Colombian Modern Lighting
Materials
Resin, Wood
A Pair Of Pen Shell And Brass Table Lamps By R&Y Augousti Paris
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Pen shell and brass table lamps by R&Y Augousti Paris, with stacked movable geometric shaped pieces on brass supports and stood on oval shaped bases. Original linen covere...
Category
Late 20th Century European Modern Lighting
Materials
Shell
Table lamp mod. 12827s by Gregotti, Meneghetti and Stoppino, Italy, circa 1960
Located in New York, NY
Modernist table lamp, mod. 12827s, Italy, circa 1960 by Vittorio Gregotti, Lodovico Meneghetti, Giotto Stoppino,
cat. 316. Frosted glass, enameled metal , patinated brass. Contains...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Contemporary, Handmade, Wall Lamp, Rattan Cylinder, by Mediterranean Objects -A
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Costa collection of simple lamps and in small sizes, was conceived to provide a natural and simple touch to the spaces.
All have been designed by Mediterranean Objects, and are h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Murano Glass Brown and Smoked Suspensions with Brass Accents
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of decorative suspensions made of a brass stem and a stack of different sized Murano glass globes and decors in various colours.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
1980s Style Koch & Lowy White Modern Pharmacy Reading Floor Lamp
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Style Koch & Lowy White Pharmacy Reading Floor Lamp
43.25 h x 5.25 diameter x 9.25 d
Unmarked
Tested and working.
Unrestored vintage condition, wear on white finish.
Refer to a...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Plaster Curved Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of Curved wall sconces made of a piece of textured plaster, attached to the structure with two nickeled screws. Two sources of light per sconce.
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Plaster
21st Century Table Light DÉDALE by Jean Arriau
By Jean Arriau
Located in Paris, FR
Brushed brass base and mirror polished brass ornement.
Jean Arriau is sensitive to everything around him and likes to describe it through sculptures more grandiose than each other.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Hotel Light 08 Wall Lamp by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Hotel light 08 wall lamp by Hot Wire Extensions
Limited edition.
Materials: Waste SLS 3D nylon powder, sand from sustainable sources.
Dimensions: H 39 x W 22 x L 32 cm.
Colour: pink....
Category
2010s British Modern Lighting
Materials
Nylon
Essential Italian Wall Sconce "Stick", Brass and Pink Onyx L.E.
Located in Milano, IT
The stick wall sconce is a contemporary lighting fixture that features a Minimalist design with thin brass profiles and advanced LED technology. It emits a warm and diffused light th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Mod. Atomic Suspension Lamp Designed By Robert Haussmann, Italy 1969
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Suspension lamp mod Atomic designed by Robert Haussmann and produced by Swiss. Structure made of anodized aluminum and plastic connectors. Italy 1969
Every item LA Studio offers is ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Modern Murrine Red and White Murano Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning and unusual modern two-toned Murano ceiling lamp is adorned with beautiful white frond elements, a scarlet red bulbous center column, and a brass finial. The prominent ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Essential Italian Wall Sconce "Grand Stick", Satin Brass and Pink Onyx L.E.
Located in Milano, IT
The stick wall sconce is a contemporary lighting fixture that features a Minimalist design with thin brass profiles and advanced LED technology. It emits a warm and diffused light th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Light Object 018
By Naama Hofman
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant light object 018
This light object emphasizes the strength of a simple line of light and how easily it can bring comfort and organize a space.
Ideal above a kitchen counter a...
Category
2010s German Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Floor Lamp "Audrey" Bordeaux Red Bronze by Studio Catoir
Located in PARIS, FR
Inspired by an Audrey Hepburn hat, this lamp embodies a certain nostalgia. Nostalgia for an icon of elegance, nostalgia for an enchanting style, nostalgia for a handmade product.
Met...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Floor Lamp "Audrey" Ecru Bronze by Studio Catoir
Located in PARIS, FR
Inspired by an Audrey Hepburn hat, this lamp embodies a certain nostalgia. Nostalgia for an icon of elegance, nostalgia for an enchanting style, nostalgia for a handmade product.
Met...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Light Object 001_ natural brass finish
By Naama Hofman
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
Italian modern white metal Toio floor lamp by Castiglioni Brothers, Flos, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern White metal Floor lamp Toio by Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s.
Floor lamp mod. Toio with diffuser for indirect light. The structure is formed by a hexagonal metal stem, o...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Christian Liaigre Acier Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Christian Liaigre Acier Table Lamp, Bronze-painted metal spine with exposed cord power source and original paper cone-shaped shade.
This Bronze brass lamp blends in with all types o...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Table Lamp DNA Model by Studio Superego for Superego Editions
Located in Milan, Italy
Table Lamp Plexiglass DNA model designed by Studio Superego for Superego Editions.
Biography
Superego editions was born in 2006, performing a constant activity of research in deco...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Plexiglass
White opaline-glass in a handcrafted brass-rim hanging on works of passamenterie
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier with a white opaline-glass in a handcrafted brass-rim, hanging on works of passamentery
Brass rim in several finishes, handblown opaline-glass and handcrafted passament...
Category
2010s Austrian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Floor Lamp "Audrey" Grey Bronze by Studio Catoir
Located in PARIS, FR
Inspired by an Audrey Hepburn hat, this lamp embodies a certain nostalgia. Nostalgia for an icon of elegance, nostalgia for an enchanting style, nostalgia for a handmade product.
Met...
Category
2010s French Modern Lighting
Materials
Metal
Bonnie Cluster 3 (6 Large), Brass Sculptural Chandelier, Handmade in Sweden
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence.
Each organic flower-like form is sh...
Category
2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Arouca Table Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Arouca Table Light
Designed by Project 213A in 2023
Artisanal table light with a cube ceramic base, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Arouca Table Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Arouca Table Light
Designed by Project 213A in 2023
Artisanal table light with a cube ceramic base, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Isla Del Sol Table Lamp
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Isla Del Sol Stoneware Lamp. It depicts a table lamp with a rectangular stoneware base decorated with a relief pattern of brick color leaves and folded leaves. The center ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Lighting
Materials
Stoneware
Break the Mold: Brenta+Brenta ceramic lamp by Jenna Basso Pietrobon
Located in New York, NY
The Brenta+Brenta lamp 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 Bassano (an ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Sculptural, Contemporary Bird in Flight Table Lamp by Margit Wittig, Blue Glass
Located in London, GB
This contemporary Margit Wittig table lamp sits on a rectangular slate base and includes a hand blown glass sphere in blue. The sculpted contemporary bird in flight, with its organic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Swedish Modern Glass and Brass Ceiling Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish modern ceiling lights, the three smoked glass globes with brass fittings having pierced brass domed elements above shades. Circa 1970s. Includes new UL wiring
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage 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.
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