Pair of Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Table Lamps, 1987
View Similar Items
Pair of Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Table Lamps, 1987
About the Item
- Creator:George Kovacs (Manufacturer),Robert Sonneman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1987
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Both show wear to brass plating on the columns but are in good working condition.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: TD7661stDibs: LU4668115333762
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.
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs memphis Post Modern table lampBy Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Philadelphia, PARobert Sonneman for George Kovacs Memphis style post modern table lamp. Metal cone shade and base with with muted gold ball and accent. Original glass diffuser.Category
1990s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsIron
- Robert Sonneman Desk or Table Lamp for George Kovacs, 1990By Robert Sonneman, George KovacsLocated in Miami, FLDark bronzed metal base with wood accent and sandblasted opaque glass shade desk or table lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1990.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of 'Feather' Task Lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of 'Feather' task lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980. Beautiful rare ochre color with counterbalanced arm. Double switch for on-off and high-low settings. Or...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Set of 2 Post Modern Floor Lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, c. 1987By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Deland, FLIntroducing a true American Modern masterpiece: a rare set of two Post Modern floor lamps designed by the renowned Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Constructed from steel with a sultry midnight chrome finish these exceptional floor lamps swivel...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Table LampBy Sonneman LightingLocated in Sharon, CTOne of the most iconic lamps from this fine designer/manufacturers famous line of high quality lighting. In chrome.Category
Vintage 1970s American Minimalist Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Lighting 1987 Silver Finish Floor Lamp AmericaBy George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Miami, FLElegant adjustable Steel floor lamp in Silver Finish from the 1987 designed by Robert Sonneman and made by George Kovacs Lighting. Uses a Halogen bulb with max. 40 watts. Comes with ...Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Iron