In Dutch, “raak” means “to hit” or “to hit the nail on the head.” Lighting company RAAK certainly accomplished that with its unique mid-century modern designs of futuristic, Space Age metal lamps, pendants and other lighting creations.
RAAK was founded in 1954 by Carel O. Lockhorn (1923–2004), a former employee of the Philips Lighting company in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Under the tagline “Illuminated Architecture,” RAAK focused on producing elegant, sophisticated and modern lighting that would blend seamlessly with high-concept interiors.
During the 1960s, one of RAAK’s most well-known designs came from its in-house designer, Frank Ligtelijn, who created the Globe 2000 series of glass and chrome floor lamps, pendants and wall lights. Another key collaboration was with Dutch artist and glassmaker Willem van Oyen, who produced the iconic Chartres wall lights in 1964. Van Oyen’s Brutalist design evoked melted paintings and was inspired by the stained glass windows in the Chartres Cathedral in France.
In the 1970s, RAAK worked with several influential international artists, such as Italian designers Sergio Asti, Giotto Stoppino and Cesare Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, and Finnish designers Maija Liisa Komulainen (best known for her metallic, cylindrical Fuga lamp) and Tapio Wirkkala, creator of the handblown crystal Suomi pendant lamps.
Through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, RAAK enjoyed enormous success throughout Europe and worldwide for its modern lamps and decorative lighting. In 1974, Lockhorn sold RAAK to the furniture company ITT but remained its director until 1977. In 1980, RAAK merged with BIS Lighting and was renamed BISRAAK. Then, in 1999, the company entered into another merger, this time with Artilite B.V. and Indoor B.V., and became the Center for Light Architecture. It declared bankruptcy in 2011.
RAAK lighting continues to be highly coveted today among interior designers and avid vintage furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage RAAK lighting, decorative objects and more.
RAAK Attributed Height Adjustable Chrome Space Age Ceiling Lamp
By RAAK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool chrome hanging Henri Matthieu style orbit light. Rotating chrome ring and half-moon domes as well as height adjustable!!! Original condition with ni...
Chrome
Mid-Century Dutch RAAK Style Blown Glass Globe Pendant Lamp with Chrome
By RAAK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Blown glass globe pendant lamp reflects the refined simplicity of Dutch Mid-Century Modern lighting design. The 10 inch spherical shade features handblown bubble glass with organic i...
Chrome
RAAK Attributed Opaline Glass Globe Pendant Lights with Chrome Hardware
By RAAK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attractive, Mid-Century, RAAK attributed vintage opaline glass globe pendants with chrome hardware. Simple, classic but fantastic Dutch design. Globes are semi-transparent when looki...
Chrome
Space Age Satellite Street Pendant Lamp
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally mounted atop tall poles as street lamps, these large-scale fixtures have been repurposed as pendant lights. Each features a wide, shallow dish shade with a cream interior ...
Metal, Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Acrylic Globe Pendant Light in RAAK Style
By RAAK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
MOD Mid-Century acrylic globe pendants with a white lid on top. In original condition with visible wear, including some visible scratches. Wear is consistent with their age and use. ...
Acrylic
Late 1960s Space Age Two-Tone Acrylic Globe Pendant by Massive
By Massive Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Belgian manufacturer Massive in the late 1960s, this globe pendant light features a two-tone acrylic construction — a smoked Gray upper hemisphere paired with a clear low...
Metal, Chrome
Chrome Space Age Pendant Light by Cosack Leuchten, 1970s
By Cosack Leuchten
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Space Age Mid-Century Modern pendant light. Design by Cosack Leuchten. Striking German design from the 1970s. Chrome plated frame with four original sockets for E-27 light bulbs. Marked with original manufacturers label. This wonderful Space Age pendant light...
Chrome
Mid century 1970's chrome pendant light by Motoko Ishii for STAFF Leuchten
By Motoko Ishii
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful mid century 1970's chrome pendant light by Motoko Ishii for STAFF Leucten Germany. Great minimal design with the signature oversized glass globe resembling a bulb - measuri...
Chrome
Mid-Century Space Age Chrome Eclipse Ceiling Lamp, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Impressive space age rod pendant luminaire with complex reflector shells. The luminaire is said to have been sold by the dutch manufacturer raak. However, i have no reliable evidence...
Metal
Mid-Century Space Age German Model 5561 Chrome Pendant Lamp from Staff, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Imposing pendant lights in the shape of a bell from the well-known manufacturer Staff Leuchten, Germany. Simple shape and a wonderful reflective surface. These particularly large la...
Metal
Space Age Pendant Lamp by Stilux
By Stilux
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Italy Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Stilux Era: 1960s Materials: Plastic, Metal Measurements: 15? wide x x 59? tall Condition: In excellent original condition.
Metal
Vintage Pendant Chandelier 1970s Space Age Ufo Atom Lamp Chrome, 1970s
Located in Berlin, DE
Vintage Pendant Chandelier - 1970s Space Age UFO Atom Lamp in Chrome Introducing a captivating vintage pendant chandelier, a true embodiment of the 1970s Sp...
Glass
