Classic Modernist Robert Sonneman Chrome Base Cylinder Shade Floor Lamp
View Similar Items
Classic Modernist Robert Sonneman Chrome Base Cylinder Shade Floor Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer),George Kovacs (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 50 in (127 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. H 50 in. x W 4.5 in. x D 4.5 in.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062416047592
Robert Sonneman
Though Robert Sonneman was quite literally born into the lighting business, it took working for another celebrated lighting maker for him to land upon the kind of boundary-pushing modernism for which the New York–based designer is known today.
At the age of 19, fresh off a stint in the U.S. Navy, Sonneman responded to an ad for a position working in the studio of George Kovacs on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he became the sole employee. “Although my parents were in the lighting business, they came from a traditional perspective, and Kovacs introduced me to modernism,” Sonneman once said. “It was 1961, and I was immediately captured by the movement.”
While working for Kovacs, Sonneman became captivated by the work of the Bauhaus, and he began experimenting with the influential art and design school’s ideas of functional simplicity in lighting. In 1967, he opened his own studio.
Though Sonneman Design Group produced furniture for a brief time, the designer eventually elected to focus on the one category that had always fascinated him; the brand became known for its floor lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers that feature unconventional treatments toward shape and balance, often inspired by modern architecture. Sonneman once said of his work: “I saw the lamps that I built as lighting machines that glorified the industrial aesthetic.”
Indeed, in the spirit of Bauhaus functionality — Sonneman has also cited Mies van der Rohe as being an inspiration — the designer’s work takes function-centric forms and motifs and elevates them while prioritizing technology. This spirit of forward thinking continues today, as Sonneman’s brand, renamed SONNEMAN – A Way of Light in 2003, works with LED bulbs to continue to push the boundaries of what functional lighting can achieve aesthetically.
Current-day releases by SONNEMAN – A Way of Light (still overseen by Sonneman himself) feature 95 percent LED lights and include interior and exterior lighting as well as modular suspended lights as an alternative to track lighting. Sonneman’s vintage pieces, however, are still widely collected on the secondary market.
Find vintage Robert Sonneman lighting on 1stDibs.
- Classic 1970s Double Eye-Ball Chrome Floor Lamp by Lite Beams, After SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic 1970s Space Age double eye-ball chrome floor lamp by LITE BEAMS, very reminiscent of the classic lighting designs by Robert Sonneman, Larger chrome sphere up light, smaller s...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Space Age Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Italian, Mid-Century Modern / Spaceage Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy GuzziniLocated in Buffalo, NYItalian, Mid-Century Modern / Space-age Chrome floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman,,,Wonderful design. Superior quality and construction. Nice original condition. minor blemishes ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Long Cylinder Form Shade Floor Reading Lamp by CasellaBy Casella LightingLocated in Buffalo, NYChromed floor lamp with 15" long tubular shade.Adjustable height from 32" -49". Heavy bar stock base raised on recessed nylon piers. Exceptional quality piece by Casella, on par with...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Classic Modernist Floor Lamp by Laurel Lamp CompanyBy Laurel Lamp CompanyLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Modernist floor lamp by Laurel Lamp Company, minor wear to brushed brass base. Enhance any Mid-Century Modern environment.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Modernist Three Shade Brass and Metal Floor Lamp with PlanterBy Stiffel, Mathieu MatégotLocated in Buffalo, NYModernist three shade brass and metal floor lamp with planter, classic Mid-Century Modern design, three perforated metal cylindrical shades, brass frame and pottery planter inset to ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
- Modernist Chromed Steel Floor Lamp by Jim Bindman for Rainbow Lamp CoBy Rainbow Lamp Company 1Located in Buffalo, NYModernist chromed steel floor lamp by Jim Bindman for Rainbow Lamp Co. Silver ball dimmer switch. Sleek, simple, elegant design, fit seamlessly into an...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Shade, 1970sBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs adjustable reading floor lamp. Featuring a tubular chromed steel stem, arm, knob, and ball socket, adjustable black enameled aluminum with wh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome, Iron
- Robert Sonneman Style Adjustable Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Cone Shade, 1970sBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman Style adjustable reading Floor Lamp. Featuring a tubular chromed steel stem, cantilevered arm, Black adjusting turn knob, adjustable vented black enameled alum...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Iron, Chrome, Steel
- Robert Sonneman Iron & Chrome Orb Floor Lamp for George KovacsBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Los Angeles, CARobert Sonneman iron & chrome orb floor lamp for George Kovacs. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Mo...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Iron
- Robert Sonneman Post Modern Floor LampBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Miami, FLPost-Modern torchiere uplighter floor lamp rendered in powder coated and painted steel with geometric forms reminiscent of Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano designs, by Robert Sonneman.Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
$3,200 Sale Price20% Off - Robert Sonneman Chrome Triennale Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Winnipeg, MBBeautiful adjustable chrome floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman. This piece features three counterbalance arms with pivoting cylindrical shades that allow for a range of configura...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Midcentury Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Chrome Floor Lamp by Robert SonnemanBy Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYThis sleek and dynamic Mid-Century Modernist Articulating "Orbiter" Floor Lamp in Chrome by Robert Sonneman originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a slender composit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome