Lightolier Lighting
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.
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal, Brass
1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1980s American Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1950s Canadian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum, Steel, Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum, Brass
1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Aluminum
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Glass
1970s American Space Age Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Stainless Steel
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Silver, Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal, Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum
20th Century American Lightolier Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Steel
1960s American Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Chrome
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel, Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum, Brass
20th Century American Modern Lightolier Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Birch, Walnut, Paper
1670s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Lightolier Lighting
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal, Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal, Brass
1950s American Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Sheet Metal
Mid-20th Century American Space Age Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass, Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Chrome
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Nickel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Brass
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lightolier Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Lighting
Aluminum, Brass
Lightolier lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Lightolier
- What is a Lightolier lamp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lightolier was founded in 1904 by Bernhard Blitzer and the name is a combination of the words “light” and “chandelier.” Lightolier specializes in elaborate and decorative chandeliers, but they also produce a style of lamps that combine functionality with a lively aesthetic. Browse a collection of Lightolier lamps on 1stDibs.
- Is Lightolier still in business?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Lightolier is still in business. Founded in 1904 and made popular by its electric lighting designs, Lightolier, a contraction of the words light and chandelier, can still be found in stores today. You can also shop Lightolier goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.