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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Pretty Table Lamp Mat Finishing Violet Silk, silvered glass circle
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Pretty lamp is entirely hand-made in Tuscany, Italy, and it is inspired by a young girl, a very pretty woman. Pretty is a lamp that has characteristics of softness and strength, it i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Set 4 Green Olive Linen Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
Set four linen lampshades in green olive color. Suitable for Baccarat wall light model Torch. Free shipping in EU and the rest of the world.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Linen

1980s Modernist Polychrome Murano Glass Cascade Chandelier by Mazzega
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An amazing polychrome cascade murano glass chandelier designed and manufactured in the Eighties in Venice by Mazzega. The polychrome murano glass resemble stalactites in their shape, they are in very good condition as the chromed metal structure because the chandelier came from an important lighting shop in...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Linear Italian Alabaster Wall Sconce "Shield", Brushed Bronze
Located in Milano, IT
Shields wall sconce is a carefully crafted piece that combines elements of history, culture, and natural materials. The brushed bronze and alabaster materials create a tactile and vi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Philippe Starck Flos Miss K Table Lamp Transparent Grey 21st Century
Located in Antwerpen, BE
The Miss K table lamp is a design by Philippe Starck, which he created for the Italian lighting manufacturer Flos. Because of the two different light diffusers, it immediately create...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic, Plexiglass

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. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

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

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

Pair of, Handmade Table Lamp, Natural Rattan Brass, Mediterranean Objects - Auct
Located in Barcelona, ES
This publication corresponds to a pair of lamps. If you want a single unit, or three or more units, there is another publication for it. AMA - Table lamp Ama , comes from the Catal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

“Pagoda” Contemporary Wall Lamp, Red Satin Silk, Silvered Crystal
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
PAGODA The calm of resonating with your inner peace For 20 years, we have been committed to offering you unique collections in terms of design and quality. Today we honor the handma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Paavo Tynell for Lightolier, Large Brass Pendant Lamp/ Chandelier, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Paavo Tynell for Lightolier, Large Brass Pendant Lamp/ Chandelier, 1950s USA, 20th Century An exceptional design, this Paavo Tynell for Lightolier Large Brass Pendant Lamp/Chandelie...
Category

20th Century American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Kat & Roger Table Lamp with hand-crafted and hand-painted ceramic base, USA
Located in Berlin, DE
Kat & Roger Table Lamp with hand-crafted and hand-painted ceramic base, USA. Measurements given apply to the base of the lamp. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Southern Cali...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Les-Ottomans Venetian Handmade Big Lampshade
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Inspired by the typical Venetian shades this ikat one - completely handmade represents at its best the meeting of East and West.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cotton

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

Black Toucan Table Lamp by H.T. Huang for Huangslite, 1990s
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A beautiful table lamp designed by H.T. Huang for Huangslite in the 1990s. It is fascinating with its beautiful toucan design. The lamp is in a very good vintage condition and works ...
Category

1990s Taiwanese Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

'Girl and Giraffe' sculptural table lamp, Bronze
Located in London, GB
'The Girl and the Giraffe' bronze sculptural table lamp, hand crafted, molded and cast in bronze in the lost wax process. A whimsical sculpture lamp of a young girl and a giraffe, e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf, Bronze

Pair of Murano Glass Wall Lights "Quadro Parete" by Foscarini, Italy
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant pair of Murano glass wall lights "Quadro Parete" by Foscarini, Italy. Designer: Giovanni Levanti, 1993. Colors: white and turquoise. Lighting: each lamp takes one small Ed...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Blown Textured Ceiling Fixture, Two Available
Located in Westport, CT
Striking Murano blown ceiling fixture shown with a ribbed and a stylized leaf pattern. Made install ready in nickel or brass fittings for ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Maurizio Tempestini Desk Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
A desk lamp for Lightolier that has been rewired for use in the United States. Often attributed to Maurizio Tempestini.
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Contemporary European Green Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
These contemporary Margit Wittig table lamp is mounted on a solid slate bases and feature five mouth blown glass shapes in green with gold and silver leaf and multiple resin hand-cas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting

Materials

Slate

“Big Delta” chandelier by Sergio Mazza for Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Lampada a sospensione "Delta Grande" , disegnata da Sergio Mazza per Artemide negli anni '60 circa. Menzione d'onore al "compasso d'oro" 1960! Realizzata in ottone nichelato e vetro ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Ceramic Olivia Cognet Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of symmetrical ceramic wall sconces by Olivia Cognet, made in Vallauris, France. Single piece of ceramic without electrical component, made to be installed n front of a source ...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

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

Salvador Dalí Cajones Sculpture Linen Shade Lamp
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s drawings for Jean Michel Frank. With this, Dalí introduced the little drawers at the base of the lamp, an idea he alread...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wood

Brass and Crystal "Potter" Table Lamp
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass and crystal "Potter" table lamp Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 82cm Materials: crystal, brass Table lamp with base in cast brass, the structure is composed of two casted brass band...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Surrealist standing lamp by Salvador Dalí model "Muletas" white linen shade
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s designs for Jean Michel Frank. The ‘Muletas’ had its beginnings at the surreal stage and is an obsession which persists in Dalí’s works as can be se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wood

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

Modern Fabric Pendant Plain Light from Studio Mirei, Nebula 60cm, in Stock
Located in New York, NY
The Nebula collection is drawn out of the interstellar clouds of dust and gas in space - regions where stars begin to form. Made of a woven natural fiber from the banana tree, which ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Natural Fiber

Pair of Olivia Cognet Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of ceramic table lamps by the talented french contemporary artist Olivia Cognet. These large tubular shape lamps have mirrored, almost book end, design of sharp geometrical sha...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Plisse Width Adjusting Suspension Lamp by Inga Sempe for Luceplan
Located in Chicago, IL
Plisse by Inga Sempe for Luceplan Adjustable-width suspension lamp. The double pantograph system permits easy extension from a minimum of 23.6 inches to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

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 be...
Category

1990s Italian 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

Pair of Olivia Cognet Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of ceramic table lamps by the talented french contemporary artist Olivia Cognet. These thin tubular shape lamps have mirrored design of soft geometrical shapes, brass hardware ...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Tommi Parzinger Style Brass Ball Lamp by Stiffel
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-century brass Stiffel lamp in the style of Tommi Parzinger. Stacked brass ball style with overall unpolished patina. Lamp is newly rewired with new double socket. Lamp takes 2 st...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Amazing Pair of Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal.Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is \item...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

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

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

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

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

orange table lamp "Miss Pack" from Alvino Bagni for Tacchini, 2000s
Located in Saarburg, RP
MISS PACK table lamp This fabulous orange "Miss Pac" (Miss Pack) table lamp is made of glazed ceramic and was designed by the well-known ceramist Alvino Bagni around the year 2000....
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

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

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

“Tiffany” Wall Lamp Bow Tie 25, Bicolor Blue Silk, Satin Brass, Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Tiffany, a timeless lamp, inspired by the international movie “Breakfast at Tiffany” and the talented character Audrey Hepburn, is a contemporary lamp, entirely made in Tuscany, Ital...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Contemporary Hanging Lamp 23, Silver Silk, Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Tiffany, a timeless lamp, inspired by the international movie “Breakfast at Tiffany” and the talented character Audrey Hepburn, is a contemporary lamp, entirely made in Tuscany, Ital...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

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

Butterfly Contemporary Wall sculpture , art Silvered Glass Fumè 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

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

2010s Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

“Tiffany” Table Lamp 30 Orange Silk, Antiqued Brass, Silvered Glass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TIFFANY the iconic lamp! For 20 years, we have been committed to offering you unique collections in terms of design and quality. Using an ancestral manufacturing silvering method, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Butterfly 8 wings, Chandelier, art Silvered Glass Sun, melted Brass Body
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
BUTTERFLY Colored glass wings are dancing in the sky Sabrina Landini for 20 years , pays homage to glass surfaces in her expression of silvered masterworks, the hallmark of each ite...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Alfredo Häberli Nox Wireless Lamp for Astep
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Nox Design by Alfredo Häberli Distinctive to Nox is its wireless charging system with induction technology, enabling this sophisticated and highly versatile lamp to be used unplugged...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

French Modern Wrought Iron White Lantern, Sold Individually, 4 Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Wrought Iron White Lantern, Sold Individually, 4 Available France, Circa 1950s A rare find, Made in France circa 1950s, each sleek lantern stands 22 inches high and ha...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Tenfold Pendant 3TA 24inch, Polished Nickel, Brutalist, Geometric Ceiling Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD PENDANT 3TA 18inch, Polished Nickel by Luft Tanaka Studio Composed of interlocking mirror polished sheetmetal panels, the Tenfold Series is inspired by brutalism and the arc...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Brass

Pao 2, table lamp in glass and wood, Arteluce, Italy 1993
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful high table lamp, model PAO 2, with a satin-finished glass base, base in laquered wood and shade in soft white opaline. Designed by Matteo Thun (Italy 1952) for Arteluce, ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

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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