Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Link I Copper Pendant Lamp
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
With a shimmering round and clear design, the Link suspension lamp brings a unique and alluring style any space. A poetic, organic shape that expresses a feeling of light weight and ...
Brass
Lovely Mid-Century Modern 3-Armed Brass Sputnik Lamp, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Mid-Century Modern 3-Armed Brass Sputnik Lamp, 1950s Rare and elegant midcentury ceiling lamp, 1950s. Executed in glass, brass and metal. The lamp is executed with 3 x E14 E...
Metal, Brass
Original Magnificent Mid-Century Modern Lobmeyr Chandelier, 1950-1960
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rich decorated Austrian, 1960s chandelier, tremendous handcraft with chased parts and handblown column and hand-cut crystal glass, 15 flames. The height is just the chandelier...
Crystal, Brass
Typical Austrian Original 1950s Mid-Century Modern Crystal Chandelier
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A typical Austrian post-war manufactured chandelier, delicate works with hand-cut crystal hangings, a handblown column and six flames. Suitable for US
Crystal, Brass
Mid-Century Pendant Lamp by Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors, Sweden, 1950
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish pendant made of hand blown pressed Orrefors glass designed by Carl Fagerlund and produced by Orrefors, in good condition.
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Original Magnificent Mid-Century Modern Lobmeyr Chandelier, 1950-1960
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rich decorated Austrian, 1960s chandelier, tremendous handcraft with chased parts and handblown column and hand-cut crystal glass, 15 flames. The height is just the chandelier...
Crystal, Brass
$1,573Sale Price|55% Off
Mid-Century Modern Murano Cristal Pendant Lamp, Italy, 1960
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Suspension chandelier lamp composed of 4 light sources on an oval brass metal structure. The lamp consists of hand craved and hand-molded white Murano glass in the shape of o...
Brass
Set of 2 pendant lamps, Stilux Milano, Mid-century
By Stilux
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 2 hanging lamps, Stilux Milano
Brass
Mid-Century Modern multicolored 3-armed brass sputnik lamp, 1950s
By Arteluce
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern multicolored 3-armed brass sputnik lamp, 1950s With nice original midcentury patina. Little since of usage. Rare and elegant midcentury Sputnik lamp, 1950s. The...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Brass and Acrylic Glass Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant Mid-Century ceiling lamp from Germany, dating back to the 1950s, showcases the timeless aesthetic of the era. The lamp features a beautifully sculpted brass fixture with...
Brass
Beautiful Mid Century Brass Ceiling Lamp from the Vereinigte Werkstätten
By Vereinigte Werkstätten Für Kunst Im Handwerk
Located in München, DE
Beautiful and rare large mid century brass ceiling lamp from Vereinigte Werkstätten. Very nice mid century dome slat design with a great patina. Heavy high-quality elegant manufactur...
Brass
$969Sale Price|35% Off
Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Lamp, French Sunburst Design, 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Step back in time with the allure of a Mid-Century Modern sunburst brass wall lamp, a design gem from circa 1960, steeped in the traditions of French craftsmanship. Crafted with meti...
Brass
Vintage German Mid-Century Pendant Lamp by Peil Putzler, 1960s
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage pendant lamp from the renowned German manufacturer, Peil & Putzler.
Brass
$840Sale Price / item|45% Off
Stilnovo Lucite Bronze Pendant Lamps (2), Italy Mid-century
By Stilnovo
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare set of 2 Stilnovo lights, newly rewired, Italy circa 1960, priced and sold per lamp/item. Nice set of 2 solide Perspex shades with bronzed brass fittings. The bulbs are deeply ...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Murano Barovier & Toso Hanging Pendant Lamps
By Vistosi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Pair of elegant cased glass pendant lamps. Triangular in form with cylinder tops and cased gold bands. Attributed to Barovier Toso. All original including brass chain and canopies, w...
Brass
Mid-Century Teak and Opal Glass Pendant Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant Mid-Century pendant lamp from Italy, dating back to the 1960s, beautifully embodies the timeless design aesthetics of the era. It features a refined combination of mater...
Metal, Brass
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Perforated Aluminium Pendant Lamp Austria 1960s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, lovely and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern perforated aluminium pendant lamp.
Aluminum, Brass
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Perforated Aluminium Pendant Lamp Austria 1960s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, lovely and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern perforated aluminium pendant lamp.
Brass, Aluminum
Amazing & Exceptional Mid Century Modern Sputnik Pendant Lamp Germany 1950s
Located in München, BY
Amazing Mid Century Modern four-flamed sputnik pendant lamp.
Brass, Metal
Italian Mid-Century Ceiling Lamp, Fontana Arte Style, Brass, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Argelato, BO
Mid-Century Italian brass and glass pendant chandelier, made by an artisan factory in the style of Fontana Arte. It will give refinement and elegance to your home environment. Our t...
Brass
Vintage brass pendant lamp, Italy, 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful art glass pendant lamp made in Italy in the 1970s. The lamp is in very good vintage condition. The metal has patina. Dimensions: Width: 17 cm / 6.7 inches Height: 30 cm /...
Brass
Mid-Century Brass and Opal Glass Ceiling Lamp, Italy, 1960s
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant ceiling lamp was crafted in Italy during the 1960s and showcases the refined aesthetic of mid-century modern design. The piece features three sculptural opal glass shade...
Metal, Brass
Brass and Amber Tinted Glass Hanging Lamp by Idman, Finland Mid 20th century
By Idman Oy
Located in Utrecht, NL
It is simply impossible to talk about 20th century lighting without mentioning Finland. By the 1950s, Finland had established itself as a force for innovation. The best qualities of ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern 7-Armed Brass Large Ceiling Lamp, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Modern 7-Armed Brass Large Ceiling Lamp, 1960s, Germany Very elegant chandelier. Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with 7x E14 standard light bulbs. W...
Brass
Mid-Century Brass and Opal Glass Ceiling Lamp, Germany, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant ceiling lamp from 1960s Germany showcases a refined combination of brass and opal glass. The opal glass diffuser is seamlessly integrated into the brass frame, creating ...
Metal, Brass
Rare & Elegant Mid Century Modern Perforated Brass Ceiling Lamp Sweden 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Falkenbergs Belysning, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Idman Oy
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern perforated brass pendant lamp or ceiling light.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Modern Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with E27 standard light bulbs. Wired and suitable to use in a...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern 5-Armed Brass Large Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Modern 5-Armed Brass Large Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy Very elegant chandelier. Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with 5x E14 standard light bulbs. Wir...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Modern Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with 3x E14 standard light bulbs. Wired and suitable to use i...
Brass, Metal
Mid-century Modern 3 Socket Green Brass Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Modern 3 Socket Green Brass Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with 3x E14 light bulb Wired and suitable to use wi...
Brass, Metal
A pair of large, original Mid Century Modern brass ceiling lamps
Located in München, DE
Two beautiful, rare, large, original Mid-Century Modern brass ceiling lamps. Large shade and canopy with mounting brackets. 100% original and fully functional. Made in Germany. The l...
Brass
50s 60s Lamp Light Ceiling Lamp Mid Century Brass Design
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
50s 60s lamp light ceiling lamp Mid Century brass design 50s 60s Object: ceiling lamp Manufacturer: Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1950-1960 Dimensions: Diam...
Metal
Mid-Century German Design Brass Single Flush Mount Lamp, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century German Design Brass Single Flush Mount Lamp, 1960s, Germany Very elegant and Minimalist ceiling lamp. Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with E27 standa...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Very Big Crystal-Glass Stone Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very nice charming chandelier with wonderful very big hand-cut crystal-glass-stones several variations available - total drop to be determined Most components according to the UL ...
Crystal, Brass
3-arm Mid Century Modern Brass Sputnik Ceiling or Wall Lamp
Located in München, BY
Beautiful three-armed Mid-Century Modern Sputnik ceiling or wall lamp made of brass with colorful bags over the bulb sockets. Minor signs of wear, no damage. Lovely patina on the br...
Metal, Brass
$830Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Brass Church Hanging Lamp from WKR Leuchten 1960s
By WKR Leuchten
Located in Hannover, DE
These simple and timeless lights come from a church that was built in the 1960s. The lamps hung in a chandelier above the altar and gave off a beautiful golden light. The lamps have ...
Brass
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hanging lamp in glass and brass, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hanging lamp in glass and brass, 1950s Executed in glass, brass and metal. The lamp needs 2 x E14 / E15 Edison screw fit bulb. Delivery without bulb. ...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern multicolored 6-armed brass sputnik lamp, 1950s Italy
By Arteluce
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern multicolored 3-armed brass sputnik lamp, 1950s With nice original midcentury patina. Little since of usage. Rare and elegant midcentury Sputnik lamp, 1950s. The...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Spiral Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s
By Maestri Muranesi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Superb pendant lamp in Murano glass, produced by Masters of Murano, blown glass processing technique, spiral shape.
Brass
Large Mid-Century Modern 20-Arm Brass Sputnik Lamp, Germany, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Large Mid-Century Modern 20-Arm Brass Sputnik Lamp, Germany, 1950s Rare and elegant midcentury Sputnik lamps, 1950s, Germany. Executed in lacquered metal and brass. The lamp is exe...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern red aluminum pendant lamp, height adjustable, Italy, 1950
Located in München, DE
Beautiful red Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp. Height-adjustable by a counterweight.
Brass, Aluminum
$913Sale Price|29% Off
Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Pendant Lamp Murano, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Suspension lamp in bronzed Murano glass, with brass details.
Brass
Mid-Century Double Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Double Glass and Brass Frame Ceiling Lamp, 1950s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with 3x E14 light bulbs. Wired and suitable to use...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern 4-armed brass and glass lamp, 1950s Italy
By Arteluce
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern 4-armed brass and glass lamp, 1950s Italy The usual slight signs of wear and a beautiful patina. The lamp is executed with 4x E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It is...
Metal, Brass
Awesome Mid-Century 5-Light Glass & Brass Ceiling Lamp, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The lamp is shipped safely unscrewed. 5x E27 sockets. Works with 220V and 110V. Our lamps are tested, cleaned and suitable for use in the USA.
Brass
Mid-Century Pendant Lamp by J.T. Kalmar for Kalmar, 1950s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Brussel, BE
Beautiful Mid-Century chandelier, pendant lamp made of a brass base with two glass-molded lampshades.
Metal, Brass
Amazing Mid-Century Modern Sputnik Pendant Lamp or Chandelier Germany 1950s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern three-armed pendant lamp or chandelier.
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Pulley Diabolo Pendant Lamps by Vereinigte Werkstätten 1950s
By Florian Schulz, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, J.T. Kalmar
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern pulley diabolo pendant lamps or hanging lights.
Brass, Aluminum
Handing Pendant Lamp in Solid Brass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Round vintage pendant light fixture made of solid brass with original solid brass decorative chain. Measures: Chain length is 29 inches. Pendant diameter is 5.25 inches, height is 6...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern 9-armed brass and glass Sputnik lamp, 1950
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern 9-armed brass and glass Sputnik lamp, 1950 The usual slight signs of wear and a beautiful patina. The lamp is executed with 9x E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It i...
Metal, Brass
Exceptional Mid Century Modern Pendant Lamp or Hanging Light Germany 1950s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp or hanging light with perforated metal and brass reflectors.
Brass, Metal
Exceptional Mid-Century Five-Flamed Chandelier or Pendant Lamp Sweden 1950s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, lovely and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern five-flamed pendant lamp or chandelier.
Brass
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Nine-Flamed Chandelier or Pendant Lamp 1950s
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, lovely and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern nine-flamed pendant lamp or chandelier.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Oval Beaded 6000 Hand Cut Crystals Chandelier, Bespoke
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Great chandelier with a brilliant aura of luxury. More than 6000 handcut crystal pearls are used and are thread in one by one. Other sizes can be delivered, also as a suspended versi...
Crystal, Brass
Orrefors Ceiling Lamp, Brass and Glass, Mid-Century Modern, Sweden 1960
By Orrefors
Located in Paris, IDF
Orrefors ceiling lamp Brass and glass made in Sweden around 1960. Made of brass and folded glass length can be adjusted. Good condition
Brass
Large Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lamp by Glashütte Limburg Germany 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in München, BY
Elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp or hanging light.
Brass
Lovely Mid-Century Modern 3-Armed Brass Sputnik Lamp, 1950s Italy
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Mid-Century Modern 3-Armed Brass Sputnik Lamp, 1950s Italy Rare and elegant midcentury ceiling lamp, 1950s. Executed in glass, brass and metal. The lamp is executed with 3 x...
Metal, Brass
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Chandeliers — simple in form, inspired by candelabras and originally made of wood or iron — first made an appearance in early churches. For those wealthy enough to afford them for their homes in the medieval period, a chandelier's suspended lights likely exuded imminent danger, as lit candles served as the light source for fixtures of the era. Things have thankfully changed since then, and antique chandeliers and pendant lights are popular in many interiors today.
While gas lighting during the late 18th century represented an upgrade for chandeliers — and gas lamps would long inspire Danish architect and pioneering modernist lighting designer Poul Henningsen — it would eventually be replaced with the familiar electric lighting of today.
The key difference between a pendant light and a chandelier is that a pendant incorporates only a single bulb into its design. Don’t mistake this for simplicity, however. An Art Deco–styled homage to Sputnik from Murano glass artisans Giovanni Dalla Fina, with handcrafted decorative elements supported by a chrome frame, is just one stunning example of the elaborate engineering that can be incorporated into every component of a chandelier. (Note: there is more than one lighting fixture that shares its name with the iconic mid-century-era satellite — see Gino Sarfatti’s design too.)
Chandeliers have evolved over time, but their classic elegance has remained unchanged.
Not only will the right chandelier prove impressive in a given room, but it can also offer a certain sense of practicality. These fixtures can easily illuminate an entire space, while their elevated position prevents them from creating glare or straining one’s eyes.
Certain materials, like glass, can complement naturally lit settings without stealing the show. Brass, on the other hand, can introduce an alluring, warm glow. While LEDs have earned a bad reputation for their perceived harsh bluish lights and a loss of brightness over their life span, the right design choices can help harness their lighting potential and create the perfect mood. A careful approach to lighting can transform your room into a peaceful and cozy nook, ideal for napping, reading or working.
For midsize spaces, a wall light or sconce can pull the room together and get the lighting job done. Perforated steel rings underneath five bands of handspun aluminum support a rich diffusion of light within Alvar Aalto's Beehive pendant light, but if you’re looking to brighten a more modest room, perhaps a minimalist solution is what you’re after. The mid-century modern furniture designer Charlotte Perriand devised her CP-1 wall lamps in the 1960s, in which a repositioning of sheet-metal plates can redirect light as needed.
The versatility and variability of these lighting staples mean that, when it comes to finding something like the perfect chandelier, you’ll never be left hanging. From the natural world-inspired designs of the Art Nouveau era to the classic beauty of Paul Ferrante's fixtures, there is a style for every room.
With designs for pendant lights and chandeliers across eras, colors and materials, you’ll never run out of options to explore on 1stDibs — shop a collection today that includes antique Art Deco chandeliers, Stilnovo chandeliers, Baccarat chandeliers and more.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.