1950s Outdoor Lighting
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lanterns
Iron
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Porcelain, Glass
Vintage 1950s American Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Metal
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Copper
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Mid-20th Century North American Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Industrial Floor Lamps
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s More Lighting
Metal, Iron
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Metal
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s American Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Glass, Porcelain
Vintage 1950s North American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Steel
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Copper
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Copper
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1950s British Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum
1950s Outdoor Lighting For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1950s Outdoor Lighting?
Finding the Right Lighting for You
The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.
Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.
Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat.
Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.
As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.
There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation.
With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.
The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
- What are outdoor lights called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Outdoor lights can also be called landscape lights or sconces. Outdoor lights come in all shapes and sizes and are a great way to highlight your home’s architectural features or shrubbery. You’ll find a variety of outdoor lighting from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best outdoor light is a matter of preference, depending on the requirement and area to be covered. When shopping for outdoor lighting solutions for your home, think about durability — buy fixtures that will last — and consider eco-friendly options. Good outdoor lighting will increase your property value, offer a sense of security, and best of all, encourage you and your family to enjoy and make use of your outdoor space. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary outdoor lighting from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is the best outdoor light?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best outdoor light is a matter of preference, depending on the requirement and area to be covered. There are spotlights, flood lights, up/downlights, step lights, garden lights, bollard lights, string lights and much more. On 1stDibs, you can find a large range of outdoor lighting options for all your illumination needs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The best type of outdoor lighting is really a matter of preference. When considering the best outdoor lights for your space, opt for a waterproof model with a material that can withstand the elements. Shop beautiful exterior lighting on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes. While the gem has always been a mainstay in jewelry, there was a boom in demand for pearl pieces in the 1950s. The style at the time was black-and-white-chic, and pearls were an excellent accompaniment to pieces like the classic little black dress. Shop a collection of expertly vetted pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is 1950s furniture called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 20241950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Which artist became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025Frank Stella is the artist who became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These works featured bands of black paint separated by thin, precise stripes of bare canvas. At a time when contemporary painting was all about wild gestures, thick paint and formal abandon, the “Black Paintings” created a sensation. Explore a range of Frank Stella art on 1stDibs.
Read More
This Paavo Tynell Chandelier Is a Radiant Bouquet
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Ettore Sottsass Captures a Shooting Star in This Rare 1970s Floor Lamp
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Christopher Tennant’s Lamps and Dioramas Evoke Sunny Days and Seaside Locales
The former magazine editor blends elements of the Far East and America’s eastern shores, bringing wit and delight to his handmade, upcycled designs.
Paavo Tynell’s Snowflake Chandelier Warms Up Any Room
This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.
NASA Parachutes Inspired Lighting Designer Bec Brittain’s New Collection
In "Paraciphers," now on view at Emma Scully Gallery in New York, Brittain introduces works that were more than a decade in the making.