Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Floor Lamp with Black Shade, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Robert Sonneman (Designer),George Kovacs (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 55 in (139.7 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Power Source:Plug-in
- Voltage:110-150v
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Rewired: Rewired with Black braided cloth cord. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bainbridge, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bainbridge, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 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 Black "Lollipop" Table Lamp with White Globe Shade, 1970sBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman "Lollipop" Black and White Lamp. Featuring a weighted rectangular Black enameled metal base, Black tubular stem and newly replaced White Frosted globe glass sh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Robert Sonneman Articulating Chrome Orb Table Lamp on Black BaseBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Bainbridge, NYModern Robert Sonneman adjustable chrome globe desk lamp, Circa 1970. Featuring a heavy Black enameled rectangular base (5.5 x 8) with reflective, vent...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Circa 1930 Cast Iron & Chrome Articulating Floor Lamp with Holophane ShadeLocated in Bainbridge, NYEarly 20th century steel, chrome plate, cast iron and black column floor lamp with clear holophane glass shade. Featuring an articulating chromed...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Iron
- Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Off White & Chrome Double Head Desk Lamp, C. 1970By Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Bainbridge, NYRobert Sonneman for George Kovacs enameled off white metal double box head table lamp. Featuring angled chrome arms, cubed enameled adjustable, rotating and pivoting off white ename...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- George Kovacs, International Style, Chrome Floor Lamp with Five Sockets, 1970'sBy George KovacsLocated in Bainbridge, NYTall and Modern George Kovacs Five Socket Chrome Reading Floor Lamp. Small footprint. Featuring a Chromed Steel rectangular column with new ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- 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
- Sonneman Chrome Eyeball Articulating Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Hanover, MA1960s articulating floor lamp by Robert Sonneman with chrome eyeball shade attached by an articulating joint to the long chrome stem at the base of whic...Category
Vintage 1960s American Space Age Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Iron
- 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 Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated 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
- 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
- Robert Sonneman Style Chrome Eyeball Floor LampBy Robert SonnemanLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineMinimalist chrome eyeball floor lamp in the style of Robert Sonneman with black base. The chrome head is adjustable.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome