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.
$649 / item
H 16.93 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
RAAK Amsterdam Maxi Globe Xl Pendant Lamps, The Netherlands 1965
By RAAK
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pendant lamps model Maxi Globe designed and made by Raak Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1965. These pendants have a brass base carrying a smoked glass shade. This beautiful lam...
Brass
$413 / item
H 11.03 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
RAAK Amsterdam Maxi Globe M Pendant Lamps, The Netherlands 1965
By RAAK
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pendant lamps model Maxi Globe designed and made by Raak Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1965. These pendants have a brass base carrying a smoked glass shade. This beautiful lam...
Brass
$531 / item
H 14.18 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
RAAK Amsterdam Maxi Globe L Pendant Lamps the Netherlands, 1965
By RAAK
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pendant lamps model Maxi Globe designed and made by Raak Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1965. These pendants have a brass base carrying a smoked glass shade. This beautiful lam...
Brass
1/5 'Maxi Globe' Pendants by RAAK Amsterdam, 1965
By RAAK
Located in Echt, NL
Very nice 'Maxi Globe' pendants by RAAK Amsterdam in excellent condition. Grey fume glass. Brass hardware. The lamps can be used as flush mount or as hanging lamp. black cord, s...
Brass
Large Maxi Globe Pendant by RAAK Amsterdam, 1965
By RAAK
Located in Echt, NL
Impressive 'Maxi Globe' pendant by RAAK Amsterdam in excellent condition. Grey fume glass. Brass hardware. White ceiling plate. Black cord, the length of the cord can made in ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Trio of "Maxi Globe" Pendant Lights by Raak Amsterdam, 1960s
By RAAK
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional set of three "Maxi Globe" (or "Maxi Bulb") pendant lights was designed by the Raak Amsterdam design team in the 1960s. A masterpiece of Dutch Mid-Century Modernism, ...
Metal
$1,949 / set
H 57.09 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
RAAK Amseterdam Maxi Globe Cascade pendant lamp Netherlands 1965
By RAAK
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Striking “Maxi Globe” Cascade pendant lamp designed and produced by RAAK Amsterdam, Netherlands, circa 1965. A refined example of Dutch mid-century lighting design, it demonstrates R...
Brass
1/6 Small ‘Licht-Drops’ Globe Pendant by RAAK Amsterdam 1960s
By RAAK
Located in Echt, NL
Small ‘Light-drops’ Pendant by RAAK Amsterdam in very good condition. Six available. Handblown glass 18 cm. (7 Inch) globe with a teardrop pattern trapped inside the glass. The p...
Chrome, Metal
Raak Amsterdam Frank Ligtelijn Globe Pendants 1960s Dutch
By RAAK, Frank Ligtelijn
Located in Den Haag, NL
We hereby offer our Raak Globe pendant lamps (THE LARGE VERSION), in good condition, designed by Frank Ligtelijn in the 1960s. The globe, with its smoked Grey glass sphere produced ...
Smoked Glass
$756 / item
H 35.44 in Dm 9.06 in
1 of 20 Large Stunning Raak Brass Pendant light Maxi Globe, Netherlands, 1960s
By RAAK
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 20 Maxi Bulb Pendant light designed by Raak, Netherlands, 1970s. Smoked glass in a very beautiful smokey brown color. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-wir...
Brass
Vico Magistretti Omega lamps by Artemide Italy 1967
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The 'Omega' pendant lamps, designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Artemide in Italy in 1964, are a stunning example of mid-century modern lighting design. Thes...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti model 2133 chandeliers Arteluce Italy 1972
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful Gino Sarfatti Model 2133 chandeliers, produced by Arteluce in Italy in 1972. These chandeliers are truly unique, featuring a minimalist design that resembles a floating dis...
Metal, Aluminum
Stilnovo chandelier brass glass globes Italy 1960
By Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A very nice and impressive chandelier designed and manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy, circa 1960. This striking pendant is a wonderful example of Stilnovo’s forward-looking approach to...
Metal, Brass
Stilnovo pendant lamps made in Italy 1960 brass and glass
By Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare set of pendant lamps designed and manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy 1960s. These elegant mid-century pendants feature a striking geometric composition, with a central cylindrical ...
Brass
Gino Sarfatti Chandelier Model 2095/5 by Arteluce, Italy, 1958
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice chandelier model 2095/5 designed by Gino Sarfatti, manufactured by Arteluce, Italy, 1958. This nice and impressive chandelier has a rare white ceiling plate and original wh...
Aluminum
Studio BBPR pendant lamps Torre Velasca Milano Italy 1956
By Studio BBPR
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
These rare pendant lamps were designed and manufactured by Studio BBPR in 1956 specifically for the entrance hall of the Torre Velasca, one of Milan’s most iconic architectural landm...
Aluminum, Sheet Metal
