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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Whimsical Pair Of Marine Themed Coral Shell Seaweed And Rock Crystal Table Lamps
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Whimsical Pair Of Marine Themed Coral Shell Seaweed And Rock Crystal Table Lamps Modern Grotto Style Seashell Encrusted and Carved Natural Rock Crystal. large table lamps ambitiously...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal

Grit Flush Mount in Blown Murano Glass with Submerged Gold 1980s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Grit Flush Mount in Blown Murano Glass with Submerged Gold 1980s Italy. This outstanding Venetian artwork was entirely handcrafted in the island of Murano in the 1980s and it is att...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold

Shikhara Hanging Pendant Light, 9 Feet Edition with Blown Glass and Brass
Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra
The Shikhara Pendant Light is inspired from proportions derived from the Indian Temples. It represents the system of five elements or the Panchamahabhuta Bhumi (Earth), Jala (Water),...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vistosi Giogali Flush Mount in Crystal Smoky Glass And Matt Bronze Frame
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
A pure element: the crystal hook. It is the intuition of a master of Italian design, Angelo Mangiarotti, who in 1967 created the best seller of the Vistosi catalogue, Giogali. An ico...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Sculptural Ruban Pendant, Chandelier in White Plaster by Benediko, Custom
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
Each Ruban Pendant is a unique, handcrafted sculpture made to order at our Benediko Studio. Carefully shaped and assembled from metal fragments. The metal armature is reinforced wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Fluted Bullicante Glass Sconces w/ Orbital Drop
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Fluted Bullicante Glass Sconces W/Orbital Drop & Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. They feature a classic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Pendent Lamp, Model Kiri, from Josef Frank, Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
A beautiful mid-century chandelier from Josef Frank. This six arm lamp is made of brass with walnut accents. The combination of the walnut with the brass makes this piece very subli...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Fendi Casa Table Lamp, Wired for America and in Working Condition
Located in Miami, FL
Fendi Casa Table Lamp, Wired for America and in Working Condition Offered for sale is an Italian Fendi Casa table lamp which is wired for the American market and in good working con...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Wire, Chrome

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

Graceful Italian Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Light
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling light realized in pure Murano glass large leaves with amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This beautiful ceiling light gives an elegant ambience a special...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

"Freevolle" Sculpture Table Lamp, ivory lampshade, Brass Body
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FREEVOLLE Twist and go! The Freevolle Lady lamp captures a quiet elegance, with its refined curves, delicate and airy silhouette, it moves with grace—striking the perfect balance b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Ju Sconce by objective OBJECT Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ju Sconce by objective OBJECT Studio Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 71 cm Materials: Steel, plaster, led. objective OBJECT an embodiment of our archite...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Galaxy 25 / Brass Porcelain Mobile Chandelier Handmade by Andrea Claire Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Porcelain Galaxy 25 is a large scale mobile chandelier featuring twenty-five translucent handmade porcelain shades suspended from four separate ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Monumental Flush Mount Antiqued Murano Glass White and Green Color, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount chandelier in antiqued glass, white with green inclusions, mounted on a metal frame. The fixture requires two European E27 / 110 Volt Edison bulbs, e...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Skinny Table Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
Vintage quirky-chic meets contemporary cool in the skinny table lamp. From a small collection including a complementary floor lamp, the skinny table lamp ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Skinny Table Lamp
Skinny Table Lamp
$4,305 / item
Float Wide Pendant Light by Ladies Gentlemen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Float wide pendant light by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio Dimensions: 14" H x 43" W Hanging shade: 39” x 25” Drop variable Materials: Aluminum...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Set of Two Vintage Brass Table Lamp
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This vintage brass table lamp offers a refined blend of sculptural design and warm ambient lighting. Crafted with a hand-cast base featuring fossil-inspired detailing, the table lamp...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mazzega Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Spectacular Murano glass Mazzega chandelier in a circular shape. This fixture is attributed to Mazzega, and has organically shaped thick glass blades alternating in smoke and clear c...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Boris Lacroix 1930s Modernist Lamp
Located in New York, NY
The French designer Jean-Boris Lacroix was best known in the 1930s, as he is today, as a designer of lighting fixtures. Our lamp consists of a circle, a sphere, and a cylinder that t...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Ventiquattro Sputnik Chandelier by Fabio Ltd
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian sputnik chandelier with 24 Murano glass globes mounted on brass frame / Designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy 24 lights / E12 or E14 type / max 40W each Dia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Murano Glass Table Lamps, 1990s - Gold Submerged Ruby Radiance 20th
Located in Villaverla, IT
Dramatic Pair of Murano Glass Table Lamps, 1990s - Gold Submerged & Ruby Radiance Illuminate your space with the striking allure of this exceptional pair of Murano glass table lamps...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

PAO Floor Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, 1990s
Located in Brussel, BE
PAO, tall floor lamp made with a satin glass base, ebonized wood stem, and an opal glass oval-shaped diffuser that emits a beautiful, warm light, gently diffused through the white gl...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Dots Chandelier by Matteo Zorzenoni
Located in Milan, IT
This exquisite 16-light chandelier is the result of the development of a piece from the early 2000s called Luna. The sinuous hand forged iron structure with details in copper leaf in...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Copper, Iron

Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Smoked Pink Glass w/ Reeded Brass Sconces
Located in New York, NY
This elegantly minimal Pair of Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Sconces in Smoked Pink Garnet Hue W/ Reeded Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Featuring a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Fabric Pendant Handmade Pendant Light from Mirei Monticelli, Anemone
Located in New York, NY
The simple elegance of the Anemone Pendant Lamp provides an eye-catching aesthetic in any home while diffusing ambient light. The elaborate body is crafted entirely of Banaca (banana...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Natural Fiber

Modern Brass and Silk Floor Lamp -
Located in Vienna, AT
Jolly Jumper, because it looks like Lucky Luke's horse; Solid brass in many finishes, fabric-shade.
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Sol Pendant S
Located in Renton, WA
Sol collection is low-key design with elaborate consideration, consists of pendant, table lamp and even bow lamp type. Sol Pendant S ’s ring-like lampshade i...
Category

2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Sol Pendant S
Sol Pendant S
$700 / item
Saturne Wall Lamp by Mydriaz
Located in Geneve, CH
Saturne wall lamp by Mydriaz. Dimensions: W 60 x H 60 x D 17 cm Materials: Brass and glass Finishes: Golden-plated polished brass, white nickel finish on polished brass, Black nickel...
Category

2010s French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Bamboo and Leather Table Lamp with Vintage Japanese Parasol Shade [In Stock]
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The One of One Collection is an ongoing series of single-edition floor and table lamps featuring shades made from particularly rare vintage paper parasols from our archive. Rest as...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Peill Putzler Flushmount Light, 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Timeless, molded clear glass flush mount light 'Futura' by Peill & Putzler Germany, wall or ceiling mounted, wired for US standards, one E27 socket per fixture, max. wattage 75w or L...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of Shapes Wall Sconces by Research.Lighting, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Shapes Sconce in black manufactured by Research.Lighting. They can be used facing up or down. The cone portion has a directional light and the glass globe prov...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Nice lamp by la Maison Charles
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie lampe en bronze par la maison Charles, possiblement d’après un dessin de Felix Agostini.
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vistosi LED Plot SP Suspension Light by Chiaramonte Marin
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
Perfect dialog enter different materials and suspended light source: this is Plot.Inspired by the weaving of oriental bamboo scaffolding, Plot It gives a feeling of lightness and sus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Johnnie White Bronze Lost Wax Cast Butterfly Wall Sconce by Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A kaleidoscope of finely handcrafted cast brass butterflies make the magic of light even more seductive combining material and ethereal in a sculptural wall sconce. Lost wax cast by ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Brass

French Vintage Pair of Brass Glass Sconces
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of vintage mid-20th century French wall sconces in brass and glass with expressive loops that give them character and flair. Each sconce features a pair of arms with faux cand...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Lilly Contemporary Sculptural LED Chandelier, Solid Brass and crystal. Small
Located in Torslanda, SE
Lilly is a contemporary chandelier that challenges the differentiation of room and object. Formed from solid brass milled petals, each LED light source contains a single crystal hemi...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Murano Glass Disc Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful Murano glass disc sconces in the style of Carlo Nason. This Italian pair of important fixtures feature 21 light amber hand blown glass disc...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Y Pendant Mini by Research.Lighting, Brass, 3in Glass Globes, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Y Pendant Mini in Brass designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Lead Time: ~6 Weeks Materials: Brass & Glass Finish: Raw Brushed Brass Electronics: 2...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Lou Pendant - Large - Opal Glass Pendant
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Lou Pendant uses a locally sourced blown glass shade offset by a hand-forged brass chain. The natural brass of the chain will over time produce a warm patina that is a living fin...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Vintage Brass Twelve Light Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This vintage French brass chandelier is quite unusual and inspiring; it defies efforts to be categorized into one style or period which is how it can be adaptable to many design tast...
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Contemporary modern Hanging Lamp 60 rose Silk lampshade Glass Brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Introducing Sabrina's breathtaking collection of Tiffany lamps. Sabrina Landini selects the most beautiful materials and assemble them to create home decorative items recognized thro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vistosi Futura PL G Ceiling Light with Black Frame by Hangar Design Group
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
Collection of lamps in blown glass available in transparent and three exclusive colors combined with different finishes of the metal ring. The glass is blown in one piece but the par...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Brushed Satin Nickel Emil Lantern - Small
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

Rindo Bedside Table Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
From a small collection of lighting styles, the Rindo bedside table lamp is characterized by its quirky chic style. Featuring walnut veneer with a d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Monter Sculptural Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Monter Sculptural Fixture. Painted Plaster and Gold Leaf
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf

Flos Coordinates Floor Lamp in Anodized Champagne by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coordinates Floor is a floor lamp with diffuse light composed of two vertical poles that can be oriented during installation, attached to a base with an anodized aluminium cover. Eac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Thorn: Sconce 302 in hand-blown glass by Andrea Claire Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Thorn Sconce 302 is a wall-mounted fixture featuring a pair of hand-blown glass diffusers above and below the aluminum stem. The 6” diameter cover plate mounts flush to the wall ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

21st-Century, glass and crystal suspension
Located in Calenzano, FI
Suspension in golden brass and ribed clear glass, green crystal ball. Each object is handcrafted and the care for every detail makes each item unique in its kind. It can be combined ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Set 2 "Ligna" Table Lamp in Solid Wood, pair of lampshades
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Lignum in Latin means wood. The idea of the Lignum collection created by Alessandra Delgado arose from a great desire to take full advantage of the residues from Cinnamomo reforeste...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Lighting

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Serendipity, Melogranoblu, Suspension Lamp, Frosted Glass
Located in Grassobbio, IT
Organic, natural and primordial shapes characterize serendipity. Frosted glass single unit, whose soft shape reflect the beautiful imperfection of nature.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Hive Sconce by Research.Lighting, Polished Nickel, 3in Glass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Hive Sconce in polished nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Polished Nickel Electronics: 1x G9 Sock...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Rod Brass Sconces Signed Tosso Murano
Located in New York, NY
This Pair of Modernist Sconces in Glass Rods and Brass fittings were created by Toso Murano and originate from Italy. Featuring gorgeous translucent glass rods in a curved demilune f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Signal Pendant Light from Souda, White x Brass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Utilizing warm LEDs and indirect light, signal pendants hover above any interior like a celestial body emitting a comforting glow. Consisting of a spun metal shade pierced by a polis...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

DORA Pendant PC12 With Ring
Located in Renton, WA
Our DORA collection is Oh So Chic! Our up-and-coming young designer, Ting, drew the inspiration from her childhood. She wanted to create a collection that was versatile, interactive,...
Category

2010s Taiwanese Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Elegant Pair of Faceted Blue Murano Glass Table Lamps, Made-to-Order
Located in New York, NY
Faceted blue Murano glass table lamps with chrome hardware, Italy. Currently out of stock but available for custom order. Please inquire with Venfield about customization and estima...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Geometric Stacked Murano Glass Block Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Modern style table lamps with a distinctive geometric design featuring vertically stacked rectangular and sqaure, translucent smoke and amber color Murano glass blocks. A black oval ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Chain Gold and White Glass Wall Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
Showcasing a sinuous and sleek silhouette, this exceptional wall lamp is a great example of exquisite craftsmanship meeting contemporary taste. A curved, cylindrical diffuser in whit...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal, Gold

Table Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
Table lamp features a brass structure with a black nickel finish, while the shade is in burnished brass. This is a unique lighting object, ideal for elegant environments. The dynamic...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp
Table Lamp
$3,743 / item
Nova Sputnik Chandelier by Fabio Ltd
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian sputnik chandelier with 40 Murano glass globes mounted on brass frame / Designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy 40 lights / E12 or E14 type / max 40W each Mea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Small Table Lamp Barovier Toso Murano Art Glass Yellow Color
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small table lamp Barovier & Toso Murano art glass yellow color.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

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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