Blackened Steel Tripod Floor Lamp, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
A minimal tripod floor lamp in blackened and chromed steel. Lampshade not included.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Mid Century Modern Tripod Floor Lamp
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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Brass Floor Lamps by Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and timeless pair of French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical floor lamps for Maison Jansen.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Willem Hagoort Grasshopper Tripod Floor lamp 1950s Holland
By Willem Hagoort
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Grasshopper floor lamp , .The angle of this Tripod floor lamp can be changed easy .The Metal shade of this lamp will move in any direction you want . original color . New...
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Mid 20th Century Stylish Brass Floor Lamp
Located in London, GB
Mid 20th Century Stylish Brass Floor Lamp Sculptural in form with an atomic gesture, made from brass and recently rewired for modern day use.
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
1960s Tripod Arrow Floor Lamp in Brass
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: France Designer: unknown Manufacturer: unknown Era: 1960s Materials: brass, mahogany Measurements: 70.25? tall Condition: In excellent original condition with age re...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Tony Paul Style California Modern Black Cylinder Floor Lamp on Tripod Legs
By Raymor, Tony Paul
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Tall California Contemporary All Black Woven Rattan Floor Lamp on tripod Ball accented atop Ball feet. Featuring a slender Organic Modern cylindrical Black wicker Shade, narrow cylin...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern / Minimalist Iron Floor Lamps, Pierre Guariche
By Disderot, Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, sleek pair of French Mid-Century Modern Style hand wrought iron floor lamps in the style of Pierre Guariche and Disderot.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Wrought Iron
Postmodern Koch & Lowy Tripod Floor Lamp, circa 1980s
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Peabody, MA
A post modern tripod floor lamp by Koch & Lowy, circa early 1980s.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Enamel, Steel
1960s Chrome Plated Tripod Floor Lamp, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - newly rewired.
Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Chrome
1950's Italian Design Opaline Tripod Floor Lamp
$2,554Sale Price|20% Off
1950's Italian Design Opaline Tripod Floor Lamp
By Stilnovo
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design in the manner of Stilnovo Tripod Floor Lamp. Made in Italy, 1950's. Brass and lacquer tripod base with white opaline ball shade. This fragile...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Mid-Century Modern Hand Stitched Black Leather Floor Lamp Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, modern and timeless french Mid-Century Modern hand-stitched leather and brass floor lamp attributed to Jacques Adnet.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Gilt Bronze Tripod Floor Lamp by Maison Ramsay
$2,612Sale Price|25% Off
Gilt Bronze Tripod Floor Lamp by Maison Ramsay
By Maison Ramsay
Located in Brussels, BE
Gilt bronze tripod floor lamp by Maison Ramsay, circa 1940. Great patina, two lights. Part of Karl Lagerfelt collection.( Sothebys auction) France 1940.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Bronze
French Midcentury Chinoiserie Gilt Metal Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a Kind Gilt Iron Chinoiserie inspired Tripod Floor Lamp in Gilt Iron, France, 1950s Eye-catching tripod floor lamp made in France at the Mid-century Modern period with Chinoi...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Iron
Majestic Lamp Co. Brass & reverse painted glass lamp tripod table (over 6" high)
By Majestic Lamp Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental ! Over six feet high. Seldom seen floor lamp with reverse painted glass table,, Attributed to the Majestic Lamp Company..Gleaming brass .. Excellent original condition,, R...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950s – Brass and Black Lacquer
Located in Hammarö, SE
Scandinavian floor lamp, 1950s, defined by its elegant tripod construction in brass combined with lacquered metal shades and a lacquered wood base. The tapered shades create a strik...
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Cocoon Tripod Floor Lamp with Brass Accents, 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Style Achille Castiglioni's lamps Measures : Ø 42cm H:102cm Materials : Brass, Metal, cocoon Plastic Beautiful mid-century tripod cocoon floor lamp from the 1960s.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Modern Black Tripod Floor Lamp with Three White Bud Like Shades, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Jean Royère style Black tripod floor lamp with three white silk bud shades. Featuring three black lacquered branch like metal stems with three, artisan created, bud like white silk t...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Robert Sonneman Tripod Brass Floor Lamp for Lightolier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Robert Sonneman Manufacturer: Lightolier
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Italian Sintesi Terra Foldable Tripod Floor Lamp, 1970s
By Ernesto Gismondi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Mid-Century Modern Brand: Artemide Designer: Ernesto Gismondi Period: 1970s Country of Origin: Italy Item Type: Vintage, ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Gilt Wrought Iron & Glass Rods Floor Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Gilt wrought iron with tubular glass rods and tripod base floor lamp from France.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Wrought Iron
Midcentury Brass and Metal Tripod Floor Lamp, 1960s, France
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Elegant French floor lamp from the 1960s, featuring a slender black-painted metal frame supported by a sculptural tripod base. The curved upper arm holds an elongated, ivory-colored ...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Rare! Mid Century Danish Modern Rocket Hansen Floor Lamp 50s Brass African Teak
$3,750Sale Price|50% Off
Rare! Mid Century Danish Modern Rocket Hansen Floor Lamp 50s Brass African Teak
By Hansen Lighting Co.
Located in Peoria, AZ
This is in the Top Ten of coolest Mid Century Floor Lamps and will make a superb addition to your discerning interiors!
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Italian Tripod Floor Lamp With Enamel Table and Magazine Rack
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian tripod floor lamp with enamel table and magazine rack.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
A MINIMALIST MID-CENTURY-MODERN FLOOR LAMP by TITO AGNOLI & OLUCE, Italy 1950
By Tito Agnoli
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare and authentic floor lamp, Mid-Century-Modern, Minimalist, Radical, simple tripod base, thin telescopic axe, cylindrical shade, Model 539 by Tito Agnoli for O-Luce, Italy 195...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Triennial Floor Lamp by Gino Sarfatti Italy C1960
By Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular and iconic design by Gino Sarfatti for Arredoluce Italy C1960. Classic and rare to find a vintage Triennial Floor Lamp with all black shades and the tripod base form. Ful...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Rare Midcentury Floor Lamp Rocket, Tripod, Germany, 1960s
$437Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Midcentury Floor Lamp Rocket, Tripod, Germany, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type - very nice style of lighting
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Conehead Floorlamp Mid-Century Modern from the showroom - one of a kind
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Tripodal floorlamp with a fabric-shade and crystal-glass-balls Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Mid Century floor lamp industrial designn France 1980
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
This striking Mid-Century floor lamp showcases an industrial French design from the 1980s, defined by its dynamic angled silhouette and lightweight sculptural presence. The lamp feat...
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Very Rare Floor Tripod Midcentury Lamp ULUV, 1960s
By ULUV Krásná jizba
Located in Praha, CZ
- extremely rare type - very nice style of lighting
Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Milk Glass, Wood
Italian Tripod Floor Lamp with Opaline Globe Shade, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950s Italian floor lamp with a tripod base in black-lacquered metal capped by tapered brass feet. The oversized opaline-glass globe is cinched top and bottom by perforated brass c...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Glass, Lacquer
Italian Brass Tripod Floor Lamp by Riccardo Scarpa, 1960s
By Riccardo Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare brass floor lamp by Italian artist and designer Riccardo Scarpa (1905–1999). The stem rises in slender, stacked segments, lifted lightly on a tripod base. The brass retains it...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Brass Floor Lamp with Tripod Base, Denmark ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish Modern is an era that defined an essential chapter in design history. Denmark was placed on the world map for its groundbreaking craftsmanship and mid-century modern furniture...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Modernist Trema Industri Texopla floor lamp, tripod, Sweden, 1950s
$2,641Sale Price|35% Off
Modernist Trema Industri Texopla floor lamp, tripod, Sweden, 1950s
By Treman
Located in Forserum, SE
Rare mid-century Swedish floor lamp produced by Trema Industri, c. 1958. The lamp features a metal tripod base with a black metal cage that cradles a cylindrical lampshade enveloped ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass, Steel
Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Gerald Thurston for Lightolier Brass Tripod Reading Floor Lamp with White Linen Shade.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Laurel Lamp and Side Table
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Laurel Lamp and Side Table
By Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern combination lamp and side table made by the Laurel Lamp Company. A tripod brass frame supporting a perferated black metal light diffuser and two round black lam...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Floor Lamp by Stilux Milano, 1950s
By Stilux
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century floor lamp with a brass tripod base and 4 beautiful original white glass lamp shades. The lamp was manufactured by Italian company Stilux Milano, commonly their lamps...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Tripod Floor Lamp with Glass Table, Spain, 1950's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Tripod floor lamp with glass table from 1950's, Spain. Black lacquered metal structure with brass fittings, clear glass and shade with new fabric.
Category
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pink Fabric Thread Shade Tripod Floor Lamp, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Pink Fabric Thread Shade Tripod Floor Lamp, 1960s, Germany Lamp is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with 2x E27 light bulbs Wired and suitable to use with 220V...
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Red White Brass Vintage Mid Century Modern Floor Lamp by Kalmar, Vienna, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage floor lamp from metal and brass by Kalmar, Vienna 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Tripod Floor Lamp in Iron and Wood, 1950s
$3,250Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Tripod Floor Lamp in Iron and Wood, 1950s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Spectacular floor lamp made of wrought iron and wood. Its incredible design is undoubtedly the work of a great designer of the time yet to be documented. The wood decorated by hand w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
Spanish Gilt Iron Floor Lamp on a Tripod Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
This classic iron floor lamp is a stunning addition to any living space, featuring a hand-patinated gilt finish that adds a touch of sophistication. Skillfully handmade in Spain duri...
Category
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
Jacque Adnet Style Brass & Black Iron Floor Lamp France 1950 Mid-Century Modern
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Miami, FL
Superb Jacques Adnet Style Floor Lamp in Brass and black finished Iron on a decorative Tripod Base with Brass Glides.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass, Iron
Spanish Iron Floor Lamp on an Elevated Tripod Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
This remarkable wrought iron floor lamp is a striking embodiment of elegance and allure. Possessing a robust feel and a solid tripod base, the lamp reaches an impressive height of 67...
Category
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
Maison Baguès French Neoclassical Bronze Floor Lamp Tripod Base
By Maison Baguès
Located in Miami, FL
Splendid neoclassical bronze floor lamp by Maison Baguès, France. Tripod base: 11 inches Wired for US and in working condition. Shade measures: Diameter 22 inches, height 14 inches.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Bronze
Kalmar Floor Lamp 'Micheline', Brass Tripod Black Metal, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A floor lamp model 'Micheline' (model no. 2092) by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s and early 1960s). It is made of a nice mixture of...
Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Sculptural French Tripod Floor Lamp Brown Enamel Shade, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A Sculptural vintage French tripod floor lamp with brass details and iron frame. Substantial midcentury vintage brown enamel and brass floor lamp from the 1950s. Architectural, sculp...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal
Tripod Rope Floor Lamp by Audoux Minet, France, 1960s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Rope floor lamp by Audoux Minnet Hard wire structure, covered with rope France, 1960s.
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Rope
Awesome Tripod Cherry Wood and Brass Floor Lamp, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
A great lamp base that just needs a matching shade. It's up to the buyer to choose the colour and size. As customer wishes often vary widely and it is difficult for us as sellers to ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Elegant Tripod Floor Lamp with Two Glass Shades, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Executed in brass and glass. The lamp need 2 x E27 / E26 Edison screw fit bulb, is wired, in working condition and runs both on 110 / 230 volt. Probably made in Italy. Our lamp...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Sculptural Tripod Floor Lamp with Three Glass Globes, Germany 1970s
Located in London, GB
This elegant 1970s German floor lamp features a striking tripod base of brass-plated metal, culminating in a cluster of three opaline glass globes. Its timeless design and warm, diff...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Black Brass Vintage Floor Lamp J. T. Kalmar Vienna circa 1960
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage floor lamp designed and executed by J.
Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
1960s Vintage Original Isamu Noguchi Akari 10A Floor Lamp Tripod
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A vintage Akari 10A floor lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi. This is a vintage example from the 1960s. The original shade was discarded long ago. A new signed replacement shade was pur...
Category
Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
Tripod floor lamp, Edition Maison Arlus, Paris, France, circa 1950
By Maison Arlus
Located in Paris, FR
Tripod floor lamp produced by Maison Arlus in the 1950s. The base consists of three black-lacquered metal branches fixed on a gilded brass axle, topped by a double stem in black lacq...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Jacques Adnet Black Leather Tripod Faux Bamboo Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Jacques Adnet faux bamboo tripod floor lamp wrapped in original black saddle-stitched leather, France, 1950s. This chic floor lamp comes with a white empire parchment paper shade. T...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Brass and Lucite Tripod Leg Floor Lamp Glass Side Table
By Harvey Probber, Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern floor lamp side table combination.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Jacques Adnet Tripod Green Leather stitched Floor Lamp France 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
1950's Stitched leather floor lamp designed by Jacques Adnet green leather Dimensions given without shade, no shade provided. The floor lamp will be delivered with the plug correspo...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Leather
Tripod Floor Lamp, Model 2003 , J.T. Kalmar, 1950's
$2,322Sale Price|20% Off
Tripod Floor Lamp, Model 2003 , J.T. Kalmar, 1950's
By Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, Austria
An elegant midcentury floor lamp from Kalmar, Manufactured in the 1950s in Vienna Austria, this polished brass floor lamp has been rewired with a grey cloth covered cable. The shade ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
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Mid Century Modern Tripod Floor Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal mid century modern tripod floor lamp for your home. Frequently made of metal, brass and wood, every mid century modern tripod floor lamp was constructed with great care. Find 303 options for an antique or vintage mid century modern tripod floor lamp now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century modern tripod floor lamp — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Each mid century modern tripod floor lamp bearing Mid-Century Modern, Modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks is very popular. A well-made mid century modern tripod floor lamp has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by J.T. Kalmar, Gerald Thurston and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings are consistently popular.
How Much is a Mid Century Modern Tripod Floor Lamp?
A mid century modern tripod floor lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,494, while the lowest priced sells for $690 and the highest can go for as much as $19,500.
A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
Finding the Right Floor-lamps for You
The modern floor lamp is an evolution of torchères — tall floor candelabras that originated in France as a revolutionary development in lighting homes toward the end of the 17th century. Owing to the advent of electricity and the introduction of new materials as a part of lighting design, floor lamps have taken on new forms and configurations over the years.
In the early 1920s, Art Deco lighting artisans worked with dark woods and modern metals, introducing unique designs that still inspire the look of modern floor lamps developed by contemporary firms such as Luxxu.
Popular mid-century floor lamps include everything from the enchanting fixtures by the Italian lighting artisans at Stilnovo to the distinctly functional Grasshopper floor lamp created by Scandinavian design pioneer Greta Magnusson-Grossman to the Paracarro floor lamp by the Venetian master glass workers at Mazzega. Among the more celebrated names in mid-century lighting design are Milanese innovators Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, who, along with their eldest brother, Livio, worked for their own firm as architects and designers. While Livio departed the practice in 1952, Achille and Pier Giacomo would go on to design the Arco floor lamp, the Toio floor lamp and more for legendary lighting brands such as FLOS.
Today’s upscale interiors frequently integrate the otherworldly custom lighting solutions created by a wealth of contemporary firms and designers such as Spain’s Masquespacio, whose Wink floor lamps integrate gold as well as fabric fringes.
Visual artists and industrial designers have a penchant for floor lamps, possibly because they’re so often a clever marriage of design and the functions of lighting. A good floor lamp can change the mood of any room while adding a touch of elegance to your entire space. Find yours now on 1stDibs.
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Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
Desert Modern Designer Arthur Elrod Finally Gets His Day in the Sun
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.
From the Hamptons to Palm Springs, FormArch’s Homes Embody Both Comfort and Cool
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
8 Mid-Century Lighting Makers
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.
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