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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Green ‘Me’ Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
Green Matte Finish Lamp with Mohair Silk Shade Estimated processing time is 2 weeks from order confirmation. Pictured with a Mini Globe LED E27 Bulb. Bulb not included. If you wou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain, Wool, Alpaca, Silk

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 Gilded Metal and Opal Glass Pendant Lamp.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary gilded metal and opal glass pendant lamp. This suspension lamp is inspired by ancient Japanese lanterns. The opal glass lantern-shaped light source is half-hidden behi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Hand-Blown Murano Glass Smoked Jade Pulegoso Art Deco Style Uplight Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
This distinctive pair of Murano glass Art deco style uplight table lamps showcases the unparalleled artistry of Venetian glassmaking. Designed in a hive form and crafted using the Pu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Modernist Hand-Blown Fluted Oyster Murano Glass Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely elegant Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Table Lamps in Oyster W/ Stylized Fluted Detailing originate from Italy during the 21st Century. The lamps feature ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Essential Italian Wall Sconce "Grand Stick", Bronze and Alabaster
Located in Milano, IT
The Grand Stick wall sconce is a stylish and functional lighting fixture that blends minimalist design with advanced LED technology. The use of bronze profiles gives it a sleek and e...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Filamento Pendant Light in Glass and Aluminum by MAYICE
By Rossana Orlandi, Mayice Studio
Located in Milan, IT
The Filamento light was designed as a modular system. Each of the 1.26-metre-long lights can be attached to one another. The studio attached four Filamento pieces together to form a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

“Pagodina” Contemporary TableLamp, gold color, brass Silvered Crystal
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
PAGODINA The inner peace For more than 22 years the art of “hand-made in Italy” has given life to the Maison Sabrina Landini, who’s brilliant spirit leads to the foundation of the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of White Organic Porcelain Mini Pendant Light, Kawa Light 06
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Kawa Series Light 06 Pendant Light by Luft Tanaka Studio The translucent porcelain diffuser casts a warm colored glow. Please inquire about any customization requests includ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

TAMBURO Floor Lamp by Afra Tobia SCARPA, 1973
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The floor lamp, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Italy, FLOS, 1973. The TAMBURO floor light designed for inside and outside spaces. Cast aluminium, light- and medium green coloured ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Modernist Copper Desk Lamp by Adnet
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Rare Modernist style diminutive copper desk lamp with adjustable shade by Adnet.
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Copper

Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Ceiling Light Handcrafted in Italy by 247lab
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted ceiling lamp model "KYLE pl", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context. Its name, KYLE, comes from the...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Hand-Blown Glass Wall Light by Naama Hofman, Modern Design 9.84 In
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted from hand-blown glass, the Light Object 030.2 is a masterful statement wall light. Its generous scale and organic silhouette create a commanding presence, casting a warm, atm...
Category

2010s German Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Smoky Tiered Palmette Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Palmette chandelier with smoky Murano glass leaves arranged in two tiers and mounted on gold finish metal frame / Made in Italy Diameter: 25.5 inches / Height: 18 inches plus...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Fly 3 Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
Large 'Fly 3' Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere, who meticulously pays homage to the work of Pierre Chareau with scrupulous attention to detail and materials. Executed in the highest quality solid European alabaster blocks...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Metal

1960s Modern Italian Ceramic Lamps, a Pair
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful and large pair of 1960s Modern Italian ceramic table lamps. This lamps stands out in a few different ways. First there's the off white...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Modern Italian Ceramic Lamps, a Pair
1960s Modern Italian Ceramic Lamps, a Pair
$1,328 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Vega Linear Six in Cast Glass by Matthew Fairbank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vega chandelier is a modular lighting system fabricated from geometric metal components that support cast glass diffusers. Arranged in a linear form w...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Louis Poulsen, Small Artichoke Chandelier by Poul Henningsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, small Artichoke chandelier by Poul Henningsen. Measures: Width 480 x Height 465 x Length 480 (mm), 8.6 kg Material: Leaves: brass, s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Double Murano Cumulus Pawn Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A monumental Murano double cumulus "pawn" lamp designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. The lamp features a frosted clear and white mottled design, and is composed of three segments sepa...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Aurelia Pendant: Satin Brass/White Glass by Avram Rusu Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Aurelia Pendant is reminiscent of moon jellyfish and is rendered in layered handblown glass with a delicate brass chain. It is part of the Marea Collection - an exploration of or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Nickel

French Blue Murano Glass Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Barovier influenced Murano glass lamps with a Classic design of a fluted teardrop body, orb and saucer base. Hand blown glass is a beautiful vibrant French Blue with a scattering of ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Pink Murano Glass Blocks Lamps and Our Handcrafted Lampshades, 1970s
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of pink Murano glass blocks table lamps with brass fittings and our lampshades. The Murano glass pink blocks are hand blown with clear Murano glass creating a mixed effect. The...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Holey Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Artist: Noah Spencer Dimensions: 52" W x 82.5" H x 1.75" D Weight: 120 lbs Materials: Cherry wood, 12 Volt LED strip light, 60 Watt, 2,400 ° K Handmade by Noah Spencer This l...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Cherry

Dia Contemporary LED Chandelier, Config. 1, solid brass, handmade/finished
Located in Torslanda, SE
Dia is a sculptural chandelier inspired by the heterophony of natural sound. Each frame (or melody) is hand-rolled with all joints cleverly concealed within the circular light source...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Natural Brass Contemporary-Modern Ceiling Light Handcrafted in Italy by 247lab
Located in Saonara, IT
Handcrafted ceiling lamp model "micro KYLE pl", made in brass; with its sober and elegant design, this piece perfectly fits into modern-contemporary context. Its name, KYLE, comes fr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Pendant Lamp in Brass from Rupert Nikoll, Austria with 6 Silk Shades
Located in Vienna, Austria
Large pendant lamp with brass arms and blackened corpus. Six silk shades positioned on three levels giving the lamp a dynamic form. Minimalistic design with harmony and elegance. ...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Bookcase from "Fancy-Routine" Collection by Supaform
Located in Florence, IT
This piece is part of Sight Unseen’s 2020 offsite offline coverage. Supaform’s latest collection, a shelf, chair, coffee table, bench, and lamp called Fancy-Routine and debuting at ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Lighting

Materials

Cut Steel

Artisan Pair of Murano Sommerso Emerald Glass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of hand-blown Murano sommerso emerald and clear glass table lamps with brass fittings. Currently out of stock but available for custom order in different colors.  Plea...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Small Alabaster Conical Table Lamps with Globes
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of table lamps made of two pieces of alabaster, a cone foot, topped with a globe diffusing the light.
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster

Bespoke Demille Plaster Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Our Bespoke Demille Plaster Fixture can be made in different sizes. This fixture uses (8) e-12 Edison bulbs at 40 watts each for a total of 320 watts w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Plaster

Small Gold Speckled Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Small wall sconces made of a single piece of Murano glass, textured in gold color. Brass plates at the top and bottom.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

1960s Iceberg Table Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful 1960s Iceberg table lamp from Italy by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. Molded glass shade and metal base. Rewired with single E12 candelabra based soc...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modern Marble Lighting Pendant Ray by On.Entropy, in Translucent Marble
Located in Athens, GR
The Ray Pendant Light by on entropy design studio, is an exploration of light, material, and minimalism—carved from a single, seamless block of Greek Dionysos marble, and designed to...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble

Chic Pair of Murano Glass "Rostrate" Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Murano clear glass and brass "Rostrate" sconces in the style of Barovier.  Currently out of stock but available for custom order. Please inquire about estimated production l...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pink Three Pieces Murano Glass
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall sconces made of three pink Murano glass vertical pieces hold by brass screws.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Textile Pendant with 3D Effect, Up to 4 Items
Located in Praha, CZ
Handmade pendants with 3D effect from wood and textile. Up to 4 pieces in different colors. Suited to coffeehouses, bars or clubs. Never used.
Category

Early 2000s Czech Modern Lighting

Materials

Textile, Plywood

DORA Pendant
Located in Renton, WA
Our DORA collection is Oh So Chic! With DORA Pendant, end users can really be a child again. Have fun with the collection and hang it individually or in a cluster, in whatever positi...
Category

2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

DORA Pendant
DORA Pendant
$390 / item
Cloud N.5 Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
Intersecting semi circles and round alabaster shades come together in the Cloud N.5 ceiling light to create a piece that feels sculptural yet light and dynamic. The five shades are c...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Brazilian Contemporary Sculptural Steel Pendant Light
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
This pendant is named Sacurá Max. It is a Sculptural light pendant in steel. It can be paited in black, white ou brown (corten). It has 6 domes. The mall cotton domes in various colo...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pair of Cone 2 Wall Sconces by Research.Lighting, Black, In Stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Cone 2 Sconces in black manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel Finish: Black Electronics (per lamp): 2x G8 Sockets, 2x 4.5 Watt LED Bulbs ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel

Large 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. 12 E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is \ite...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Pair of Single-Arm White Plaster Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of single-arm white plaster sconces, newly wired for use within the USA using UL listed parts. Sold together and priced $5,400 for the pair.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Murano Glass Shell Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of pretty Murano glass wall sconces shaped like sea shell. The Murano glass is smooth on the outside while having a rough inner texture, it also has golden speckles allowing...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Satin Khora Porcelain Sconce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Satin Khora sconce blends a stylized geometry with the timeless warmth of matte porcelain. Geometric ridges that taper into an elegant cone shape. The soft, upward glow of light...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Clay

1390 Metal Grape Leaves Ceiling Light
Located in Milan, IT
This charming metal ceiling lamp almost seems to be more of a decorative piece than a light fixture, as it has been hand-decorated with golden grape leaves and small bunches...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

French Pair of Tall Silverplate Candlestick Lamps
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Polished in taste and patina, these early 20th century large scale French candlesticks have been converted to table lamps and are a fantastic choice for buffet lighting, side tables,...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

21st Century VI+M Studio Medium Lamp Murano Glass Tripolino Fringe Various Color
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st century VI+M Studio medium lamp Murano glass and tripolino fringes various colors. Designed by Studio VI+M, Normanna is a tribute to Sicily, the designer’s homeland, and the richness and fullness of the colors that characterize its art and architecture. Composed of a delicate sphere that makes a diffuser for light and expresses the high chromatic potential of Murano glass – ruby...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Customizable Alpine Floor Lamp in Oiled Walnut and Brass by Astraeus Clarke
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Born of nostalgia, the Alpine Lamp echoes natural forms and mountainous contours. The natural wooden base grounds the piece in earthy materials, evoking th...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Globe 3 Chandelier, by Research.Lighting, Black, 5in Glass Globe, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Globe 3 Chandelier designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Glass Finish: Powder Coated Steel in black Electronics: 3x G9 Sockets, 3...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Devoe Table Lamps - Contemporary Handmade Ceramic, Postmodern Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of one of a kind ceramic lamps, thrown on the potters wheel and assembled by hand. The lamp base is comprised of two different clay bodies and featu...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Raffaele Geometric Star-Shaped Pendant Light in Textured Cast Brass by Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A unique brass lampshade in the form of a three-dimensional falling star, sand cast in one piece by master craftsmen in Tuscany, Italy. The lampshade's surface isn't polished after t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

FLOS Miss K Table Lamp in Aluminized Silver by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created by innovative design master Philippe Starck, the Miss K table lamp brings a delightful duality to its work. When unlit, its transparent PC (p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Murano Glass Mirrored Green Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Mirrored green Murano glass lamps signed by glass maestro Alberto Dona. This beautiful pair is a lovely fern green in color, and we love the metallic affe...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Brass and Glass Diego Mardegan Long Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Long horizontal chandelier designed and made by Diego Mardegan. Brass structure holding five perforated metal sconces encapsulated in glass...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pop Art Chanel No. 5 Vintage Advertising Lighting Display after Andy Warhol 1999
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art Chanel No. 5 vintage advertising display with the iconic sign of Chanel No. 5 bottle after Andy Warhol, which was used in parfumeri...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Acrylic

Moooi Serpentine Light by Front Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Serpentine Light by Front is an airy suspension lamp made from elaborate twists and turns. The lighting design originated from twisting and turning a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Venini Anni Trenta Pendant Light in Milk White
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Anni Trenta Suspension lamp, designed and manufactured by Venini, features sinuous lines, clearly reminiscent of the 1930s. Available in two different colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Caeli Classic Handcrafted Brass Rattan Pendant Light Fixture, Flow Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The Caeli-S contemporary handcrafted made-to-measure pendant light fixture features an expertly handcrafted brass structure and a hand-woven rattan shade. This piece creates a warm a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French 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 large tubular shape lamps have mirrored design of sharp geometrical shapes, brass hardwar...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Small Block Double Model #145 Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
Small 'Block Double' Model #145 Alabaster Sconce in the Manner of Pierre Chareau. Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Steel

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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