Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
Yellow Minimalist Midcentury Modern Floor Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant minimalist yellow floor lamp. Thin metal pole anchored by heavy and chic tapered base. Shade available for additional $99. We also have a second one available in black.
Metal
Italian Modern Yellow Metal Thin Floor Lamp, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern yellow metal thin floor lamp, 1980s. Floor lamp with structure in yellow metal with conical base, specular and equal to the diffuser, a...
Metal
$1,507 / item
H 43.31 in W 17.72 in D 43.31 in
Lumina Daphine Terra Led Floor Lamp in Matt Yellow by Tommaso Cimini
By Lumina, Tommaso Cimini
Located in Warsaw, PL
Lumina Daphine terra LED table lamp in matt yellow by Tommaso Cimini Undisputed emblem of elegance and functionality, the Daphine represents the essence of Lumina. The idea behind the creation of the Daphine lamp is as simple as it is effective: a pivoting diffuser, an articulated arm in two segments and an electromechanical transformer on a cylindrical base between two metal caps. The Daphine first “saw the light” in a small workshop in Sedriano (Milan province) in 1975 thanks to the skilful hands of Tommaso Cimini, a mechanical engineering expert, and the machines he had retooled for the purpose. The Daphine springs from Tommaso Cimini’s design philosophy, “Lots of light, not much lamp”, which is still the essence of every product bearing the name of Lumina, the company he set up in 1980. 45 years on, the Daphine’s aesthetic and functionality are unchanged, which goes to show the validity of the original IDEA. Tried and tested throughout its long production history, this lamp lends itself to countless uses in public and private places, from reading desks in libraries to pianos, from jewellery display...
Metal
$1,096Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 35.82 in W 8.26 in D 17.72 in
Lumina Daphine LED Floor Lamp in Yellow by Tommaso Cimini
By Tommaso Cimini, Lumina
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp in metal with an articulated arm and a diffuser pivoting on 360°. The base of cast iron always comes black varnished. Available with halogen or LED light source. Two step ...
Metal
Floor Lamp designed for Relco
By Relco Italia
Located in Forest, BE
This floor lamp designed for Relco with a flared dish shape on top and a cilindrical stem gives along with the yellow laquer guives this piece the playfull experimental image that i...
Metal
Bright Yellow Italian Floor Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking example of mid-century Italian design, this vibrant yellow floor lamp by Gianfranco Frattini embodies both playfulness and sophistication. Designed in the 1970s, the piece...
Steel
Intense Yellow Profiles Floor Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Intense Yellow Profiles Floor Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20 x H 156.7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, white glass. Available in other colors. Please contact us. All o...
Metal
Vintage Yellow Pencil Table Lamp Pop Art Style, 1980s
By Lightolier
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage Yellow Pencil Table Lamp Pop Art Style, 1980s. This table lamp, in the form of an oversized pencil, is representative of the 1980s trend of making large versions of everyday ...
Wood
$4,205 / item
H 72.05 in Dm 12.6 in
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Floor Lamp in Straw-Yellow by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Art Nouveau, Charleston, the dawn of a new design era. The 1930s, celebrated by VENINI in 1997 and wistfully recalled with essential and innovative shapes like those that marked the ...
Glass
$1,438
H 14.57 in W 17.33 in D 6.3 in
Beautiful large Mid Century tripod table lamp with yellow diabolo lampshade
Located in München, DE
Beautiful large mid-century modern tripod table lamp. Great 1950s design with the typical colors of the time in yellow and black. Lampshade in diabolo design with small holes at the ...
Metal, Copper
1950s Gerald Thurston Floor Lamp for Lightolier
By Gerald Thurston
Located in Esperance, NY
1950s Gerald Thurston floor lamp for Lightolier.
Metal
Mid-Century Tripod Torchiere Floor Lamp by "Keystone"
By Keystone Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
Mid-century tripod torchiere floor lamp by "Keystone".
Metal
1960s Large Mid-Century Modern Alabaster Table Lamp
Located in Esperance, NY
Very unique large mid-century alabaster table lamp.
Alabaster
1960s George Kovacs Stacked Chrome Ball Floor Lamp
By George Kovacs
Located in Esperance, NY
1960s George Kovacs Stacked chrome ball floor lamp.
Chrome
Mid Century Danish Modern Tall Teak and Brass Sculptural Table Lamp
Located in Esperance, NY
Unusual Rare style sculptural Danish tall lamp which is in good shape and makes that Danish modern statement.Its more like an art piece then lighting and would look great on a moder...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Table Lamp W/ Shade Attributed to Thurston
By Gerald Thurston
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice vintage modern table lamp. The lamp is walnut and brass. Also the shade is included.
Walnut
