Collectors know Koch & Lowy for its eye-catching sold brass five-arm chandeliers, sleek chrome swing-arm floor lamps and clever table lamps with marble bases. With a wide range of sculptural mid-century modern and 1970s-era fixtures created by the likes of George Nelson, Karl Springer, Piotr Sierakowski and others, the American lighting manufacturer elevated the design of furniture and home decor from the postwar era onward.
Ernest Lowy founded Koch & Lowy in New York in 1946, initially running the firm with his son, Thomas. Over the years, collaborations with notable designers such as American artist Neal Small — known as the “Prince of Plastic” for his innovative use of Plexiglas and Lucite — yielded iconic pieces such as Koch & Lowy’s biomorphic, clear-glass pendant lights and wall sconces for German manufacturer Peill and Putzler as well as the rare Half Nelson table lamp.
Created by George Nelson — an architect, journalist and designer who brought a slew of legendary designers to Herman Miller while he was director of design at the company — the Half Nelson table lamp, with its striking form and shade of spun aluminum, was originally designed in 1950 as part of an architectural project of Nelson’s on Long Island. Koch & Lowy put it into production in the late 1970s.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Koch & Lowy floor lamps gained wide acclaim. Neal Small’s architectural aluminum periscope Skyscraper floor lamp and their Pharmacy tent floor lamp, which Thomas Lowy admitted he copied unwittingly from Omaha architect Cedric Hartman, were particularly popular.
“I’d bought a tent [lamp] in Italy, but it had been made so badly that I decided to make a better one,” Lowy explained to the New York Times in 1976. “I didn’t know that the Italian one wasn’t original. I didn’t know it was a copy of Hartman’s design.”
Nevertheless, Koch & Lowy enjoyed success designing and producing innovative lighting fixtures and other furniture such as the brutalist Mirage coffee table, created by Polish designer and head of Koch & Lowy’s design department, Piotr Sierakowski.
While Thomas Lowy sold the company in the 1990s, the brand’s impact on modernist lighting design endures.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Koch & Lowy lighting and tables.
1 of 5 Petite Wall Sconces Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic Clear crystal glass wall sconce designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: O...
Art Glass
22cm "Wave" Wall Ceiling Light by Koch and Lowy, Peill & Putzler, Germany 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: wall light Producer: Peill and Putzler, Germany Design: Koch & Lowy Origin: Germany Age: 1970s Original 1970s modernist German wall Light made of glass...
Metal
1 of 4 Large Wall Sconce/Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 4 special round biomorphic smoked glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very ...
Smoked Glass
1 of 3 Large Wall Sconce/Flushmount, Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic clear glass wall sconce or flushmount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very ...
Glass
Pair of Mid Century Smoked Glass Wave Sconces / Flush Mounts By Peill & Putzler
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of 1970's Smoked glass Wave sconces designed by Koch & Low for Peill & Putzler. The sconces have been Newly rewired for the US and can either be used as wall ...
Glass
XL Wave Wall Lamp or Flush Light by Koch and Lowy for Peill and Putzler
By Aloys F. Gangkofner, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy, J.T. Kalmar
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful and large wall lamp or ceiling lamp from the 1960s. The design and materials create a fantastic play of light in the room. Very high-quality workmanship and a...
Metal
1 of 4 Petite Wall Sconces Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic smoked glass wall sconce designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: One x E27 standard bulb. (100 W max)....
Smoked Glass
$1,725Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Peill and Putzler Large Space Age Lights
By Koch & Lowy, Peill & Putzler
Located in New York, NY
A great pair of lightly smoked glass and golden fixtures in a Space Age style by Peill and Putzler. Newly rewired. Standard socket.
Brass
$793Sale Price / item|20% Off
1 of 2 Petite Wall Sconce Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic opal glass wall sconce / or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: One x E27 standard b...
Smoked Glass
Koch and Lowy Articulating Wall Sconce
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic wall sconce by Koch and Lowy. Chrome lamp with all chrome hardware and wall plate. Lamp articulates in all directions and has a swing arm that can sit flush, folded against...
Chrome
27cm "Wave" ceiling Wall Light by Koch and Lowy, Peill & Putzler, Germany 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: wall light ceiling light Producer: Peill and Putzler, Germany Design: Koch & Lowy Origin: Germany Age: 1970s Original 1970s modernist German wall Ligh...
Metal
Set of Black and Chrome Koch & Lowy OMI Sconces
By OMI, Koch & Lowy
Located in Echt, NL
Very nice Koch & Lowy OMI wall lights The sconces have a chrome-plated shade and arm, and a black enameled metal body and wall mount. The angle of the lamps is adjustable. M...
Metal, Enamel, Chrome
Large Wall Sconce Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic opal glass wall sconce / or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: One x E27 standard bul...
Smoked Glass
1 of 2 Large Wall Sconce/Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic clear glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very good ...
Smoked Glass
Koch and Lowy Articulating Wall Sconce
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sculptural articulating wall sconce by Koch and Lowy. Nickel sconce with hand switch right under the socket. Perfect bedside or sofa sid...
Nickel
Extra Large 1970s Biomorphic Koch & Lowy Wall Sconce / Light for Peill & Putzler
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Mid-Century flush mount wall light or sconce designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. This is an absolutely classic piece of German design, featuring a clear glass g...
Metal
$1,049 / item
H 5.12 in Dm 13 in
1 of 4 Large Wall Sconce Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic smoked glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very good c...
Smoked Glass
$1,110Sale Price / set|31% Off
H 5.11 in W 12.2 in D 12.2 in
Peill & Putzler, Midcentury Set of 3 Modernist German Glass Cube Wall Sconces
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Verviers, BE
Midcentury set of 3 modernist German 1970s ice glass cube wall sconce by Peill & Putzler Mid-Century Modernist German 1970s lamps were designed by...
Brass
$784Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in Dm 8.67 in
Transparent Glass Pendant Lamp by Koch & Lowy for Peill and Putzler, 1960
By Koch & Lowy, Peill & Putzler
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A round pendant lamp by Koch & Lowy for Peill and Putzler made in Germany in the 1960s. It is fascinating with its beautiful transparent glass. The lamp has a Space Age design. The ...
Glass
$1,050
H 5.52 in Dm 16.15 in
Glass Flushmount Wall Light PEILL and PUTZLER Lights attrib., Germany, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg, J.T. Kalmar, Peill & Putzler
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall light sconce, also useable as ceiling light Origin: Germany Age: 1970s This original modernist light was produced in Germany in the 1970s by Peill and Putzle...
Metal
$635
H 5.91 in Dm 13.78 in
Peill & Putzler White Frosted Glass Flush Mount Ceiling or Wall Light, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Barntrup, DE
Peill & Putzler white frosted glass flush mount ceiling or wall light, the 1970s A beautiful white frosted glass flush mount ceiling light or wall light in a shape of a mushroom with a decorative dotted pattern. Made in Germany by Peill & Putzler in 1970s. Dimensions: Diameter 35 cm, 13.77 in; height 15 cm, 5.9 in. The light fixture is in complete working order, but as with all vintage or antique...
Metal
$956 / item
H 5.12 in Dm 8.27 in
1 of 4 Petite Wall Sconces Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic smoked glass wall sconce designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. Sockets: One x E27 standard bulb. (100 W max)....
Smoked Glass
XL Wave Pendant Lamp by Koch and Lowy for Peill and Putzler
By Aloys F. Gangkofner, Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, J.T. Kalmar
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful and large smoked glass pendant lamp from the 1960s. The design and materials create a fantastic play of light in the room. Very high-quality workmanship and a...
Metal
$2,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 10.24 in
Peill & Putzler Pair of 1970s Smoked Glass Brass Biomorphic Wall Lights Sconces
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Pair of mid-century flush mount ceiling or wall lights / sconces by Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. This is an absolutely Classic piece of design, featuring a smoked coloured (colored)...
Metal, Brass
$933 / item
H 5.91 in Dm 11.82 in
1 of 2 Large Wall Sconce/Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic clear glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very good ...
Smoked Glass
$1,049 / item
H 5.12 in Dm 13 in
1 of 6 Large Wall Sconce Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill & Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic smoked glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very good...
Smoked Glass
Koch and Lowy Articulating Wall Sconce
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic wall sconce by Koch and Lowy. Chrome lamp with all chrome hardware and wall plate. Lamp articulates in all directions and has a swing arm that can sit flush, folded against...
Chrome
$1,500 / item
H 6.3 in Dm 12.6 in
Peill & Putzler Extra Large Pair of 1970s Vintage Biomorphic Wall Sconce Lights
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
One of a pair of midcentury flushmount wall lights, lamps or sconces by Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. This is an absolutely Classic piece of German design, featuring a clear glass gl...
Metal
60s 70s ceiling lamp or wall lamp Peill & Putzler "Wave" Koch & Lowy Design
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s ceiling lamp wall lamp Peill & Putzler "Wave" Koch & Lowy Design Object: ceiling lamp Manufacturer: Peill & Putzler Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Di...
Metal
Sold
H 4.93 in Dm 9.45 in
Pair of Koch & Lowy Smoked Glass Wall or Flush Lights by Peill Putzler, 1970
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Midcentury flush mounts, wall lights or sconces designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. Featuring a smoked glass globe shade with a waved/ribbed molded bubble form....
Brass
Pair of Koch and Lowy Swing Arm Wall Lamps
By Koch & Lowy
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of adjustable chrome swing arm wall lamps or sconces by Koch & Lowy, Chromed bodies and hoods, adjustable vertically and swivel for optimal light direction, dimmable, stamped "K...
Chrome
Sold
H 5.12 in Dm 8.27 in
Peill & Putzler Brass & Smoked Glass Sconce Flush Mount Lamp, 1970s, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful wall or ceiling lamp manufactured by PEILL & PUTZLER for KOCK & LOWY in 1970s. Featuring a brass reflective base with a hand blown smoked glass shade. Fully working and te...
Brass
Sold
H 5.52 in Dm 10.24 in
Peill Putzler Brass & Smoked Glass Large Sconce Flush Mount Lamp, 1970s, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful wall or ceiling lamp manufactured by PEILL & PUTZLER for KOCK & LOWY in 1970s. Featuring a brass reflective base with a hand blown smoked glass shade. Fully working and te...
Brass
Large Wall Sconce/Flush Mount, Koch & Lowy by Peill Putzler, Germany
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Aachen, NRW
A special round biomorphic clear glass wall sconce or flush mount designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. High quality and in very good ...
Glass
Pair of Koch & Lowy Smoked Glass Wall Sconces/Lights by Peill Putzler, 1970
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Midcentury flushmount wall lights or sconces designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. Featuring a smoked glass globe shade with a waved/ribbed molded bubble form, casting a stunning rippled light...
Brass
Pair of Smoked Glass Light Fixtures Koch & Lowy, 1970
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Rijssen, NL
A special pair of round biomorphic smoked glass light fixtures designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1...
Metal, Brass
Pair Chrome Bracket Sconces by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy
By Koch & Lowy, Robert Sonneman
Located in Hanover, MA
We have a pair of polished chrome 'wall tree' bracket sconces designed by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy in 1972 (see original catalog images). Three cubes (4" x 4" x 7") each hold ...
Chrome, Aluminum
Large Wave Clear Flush Mount or Wall light by Peill & Putzler, Germany
By Koch & Lowy, Peill & Putzler
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large round wave clear glass ceiling light, flush mount designed by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1970s. These lamps won the IF Design award in ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 4.93 in Dm 10.04 in
One of Three Pairs Koch & Lowy Clear Glass Wall Lights by Peill Putzler, 1970
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of mid-20th century flushmount or wall sconces designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. Featuring a clear glass globe shade with a waved or ribbed molded bubble...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in Dm 10.24 in
Set of Four-Light Fixtures Koch & Lowy, Two Sconces and Two Pedant Lights, 1970
By Peill & Putzler, Koch & Lowy
Located in Rijssen, NL
A special set of round biomorphic smoked glass light fixtures designed by Koch & Lowy for Peill & Putzler, manufactured in Germany, circa 1970s. These Peill & Putzler vintage wall li...
Metal, Brass