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.
$4,243
H 55.12 in W 16.07 in D 16.3 in
A SPACE-AGE "Eclipse" FLOOR LAMP by E.J. JELLES for RAAK, Holland 1964
By Evert Jelle Jelles
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular space-inspired and quasi-anthropomorphic floor lamp, Post-Modernist, Space-Age, complex geometric structure in gray-blue lacquered metal tubes, lampshade in 2 articulat...
Metal
$3,241
H 63 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Evert Jelle Jelles Eclipse floor lamp RAAK Amsterdam The Netherlands 1964
By RAAK, Evert Jelle Jelles
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Striking and sculptural, this “Eclipse” floor lamp was designed by Evert Jelle Jelles and manufactured by RAAK in Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1964. A hallmark of mid-century Dutch des...
Metal, Aluminum
Space Age Vintage Floor Lamp by Frank Lightelijn for Atelier Raak, 1961
By Frank Ligtelijn
Located in Vienna, AT
Space age vintage floor lamp designed by Frank Lightelijn for Atelier Raak, 1961, Amsterdam, Netherland. The floor lamp shows a tripod black lacquered aluminium foot and chrome tube...
Aluminum
Globe D-2000 floor lamp by Frank Ligtelijn for Raak Amsterdam, 1960's
By RAAK, Frank Ligtelijn
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Globe D-2000' floor lamp was designed by Frank Ligtelijn for Raak Amsterdam in the late 1950's. It has a classical smoked glass globe, with an aluminum reflector and lamp holder...
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron
Floor Lamp by Staff Leuchten, 1960s
By Staff Leuchten
Located in Barcelona, ES
Floor lamp designed and produced by Staff Leuchten in Germany during 60s. The lamp has multiple movement options, both in height and in the direction of the focus. The design combine...
Steel, Chrome
3S Floor Lamp by Paolo Tilche for Sirrah, 1960s
By Sirrah, Paolo Tilche
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Flexible model 3S floor lamp designed by Paolo Tilche in 1961 and produced by Sirrah. The lamp has a spherical shade and a rather heavy, also, spherical base that serves as a counte...
Metal
$3,517
H 66.93 in W 50.39 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Space Age Model Orbiter Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman, 1960s
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Hamburg, DE
Counterweight standing lamp after a design by the American designer Robert Sonneman from the 1960s. Here in the execution of the Italian manufacturer Luci. An elegant design of high...
Metal
Angelo Lelli Floor Lamp Model 14002 Arredoluce, 1966
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice Minimalist floor lamp model 14002 designed by Angelo Lelli and manufactured by Arredoluce, Italy, 1966. The lamp has a metal base with incorporated transformer and on/off s...
Metal
Midcentury Floor Lamp Designed by Josef Hurka for Napako, 1960s
By Josef Hurka
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of metal - Re-polished - Fully functional - Good, original condition.
Metal
Floor Lamp 12628 "Siluro"by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy, 1957
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Brussels, BE
Floor Lamp 12628 "Siluro"by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy, 1957 Designer : Paolo Angelo Lelii (1911-1979) for Arredoluce Paolo Angelo Lelii was born in Ancona, Italy. After his...
Marble, Brass
Gaetano Sciolari Floorlamp Chrome Plated and Brushed Aluminium with Murano Glass
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Elegant Mid-century floor lamp designed by Gaetano Sciolari for Sciolari, 1960-70s. This is an extremely rare object, for true connoisseurs and not to be missed. It is the largest ve...
Aluminum, Chrome
Large Dior Homestyle Table Lamp Woven Cane in Plexiglass
By Christian Dior
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Elegant mid-century table lamp in rattan and plexiglass from Dior Homestyle, large size, 1970s. Sold by Correa, Barcelona. h 30.5 x w 14 x d 14 cm
Wicker, Plexiglass
Chrome Steel Hanging Lamp by Gaetano Sciolari for Boulanger, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Chrome steel hanging lamp by Gaetano Sciolari for Boulanger, 1960s. Measures: h 62 x diameter 40 cm.
Steel, Chrome
Large Glass Space Age Globe Hanging Lamp by Doria Leuchten, 1970s
By Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Large glass space age globe hanging lamp manufactured by Doria in Germany in the 1970s. Under the glass sphere there are four chrome spheres and 4 ligh...
Chrome
Industrial French Vintage Jielde Table Lamp in Green Patina (2 available)
By Jielde
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Industrial French vintage table lamp from the renowned brand Jielde, complete with a maker's stamp. Established in 1950 by Jean Louis Domecq, Jielde is celebrated for its finely craf...
Iron
Pair of Midcentury Italian Brass Pendant Lamps by Stilnovo from the 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Pair of Midcentury Italian brass pendant lamps by Stilnovo from the 1950s. With 24 light points each (E14) on a construction of brass tubes ...
Brass
