8 Midcentury Modern Pendant Lamps & Sconces on eBay
Few things set the mood like good lighting, and we're especially fond of lamps from the 1940s through the 1970s, when glossy finishes, globular forms, imaginative materials, and eye-catching colors reigned. We've rounded up some great vintage sconces and pendants that'll add a lovely layer of accent lightning to any space—take a peek below, and bid away!
Chrome Globe Wall Sconces by Thomas Industries
Dating from the 1970s, these small, smoked glass wall sconces are simple in design but big on style. The silver orbs' highly reflective finishes catch the eye whether the lights are turned on or off.
Now considered a modern design classic, the PH5 pendant lamp was designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen Lighting in 1958, and it's still in production today. The shade of this compact, colorful, and versatile fixture mitigates glare by varying the direction of light. This one has a fun moment of surprise: A small, dark blue shade beneath the lamp directs light upwards. It's all about the details!
If you're searching for a sculptural midcentury statement for your walls, look no further than this pair of solid aluminum sconces painted in metallic gold and bronze. The fixtures once adorned the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, but they'd work well in any space that could use a big dose of drama.
Mixed materials really shine in this unique vintage wall sconce with an aluminum arm attached to an exposed wood bracket. The light bulb is concealed by two layers of shades: A tubular plastic shade with an irregular texture is overlaid with a second layer of petal-like shingles. We like the layered textures, materials, colors, and overall composition, and the little wooden ball at the end of the pull chain is a great finishing touch!
This elegant, two-tone ceiling-hung chandelier is what dreams are made of: deep, warm red and cream accents, solid brass hardware, and a delightfully uplifting form. The chandelier is unmarked, but it's reminiscent of the famed Italian lighting company Stilnovo's midcentury fixtures with undulating, upturned arms. This one would work beautifully in the center of a living room or above a dining room table.
For the minimalist modernists out there, look no further than this pair of vintage bedside reading sconces. They're designed with a counterweight that allows users to adjust the sconce to a desired level, and their pure, boxy form makes them feel clean and modern. Lighting designer Robert Sonneman began designing fixtures in the 1960s and 1970s and quickly became known for his iconic, captivating pieces that appear to have floated in from outer space.
This picture-perfect pair of recently restored 1950s wall sconces would provide excellent accent lighting in any dining room, living room, or bathroom. The uplight-downlight combination gives them great versatility in a range of spaces—especially on either side of a mirror! The bow tie shape is cinched at the middle with brass hardware. Virden Lighting is a Canadian lighting company popular from the 1930s to the 1960s that was known for creating design-forward, affordable fixtures.
Comprised of nine asymmetrical cylinders of brushed aluminum set at different levels, this chandelier hails from France but ships worldwide. The three upper lights can be switched on separately from the six larger lights below. Each light is partially shaded by a sculptural, offset cylinder in brushed aluminum. We love how the mirrored bulbs really emphasize the reflective, circular nature of the fixture.
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