I am the world’s largest fan of vintage lighting, so, in my daily ebay searches, I try to watch for the rarities that continue be unearthed daily from the big time big name brands from back in the day — including Moe, Lightolier, Progress and Virden, in particularly. My tenacity was rewarded the other day, when a set of rare Brutalist fixtures from Moe — 1973 — and NEW OLD STOCK — popped up. These are the most beautiful vintage lights EVER! Thanks for seller frivtime for giving us permission to catalog and show these beauties here on the blog. There is one chandelier, one wall sconce, and one pendant light. And the seller knows what he has.. the starting price is not cheap. See all the designs –>
Note via the photo above: The chandelier has nine — yes, 9 — candle bulbs. Six on the perimeter, and three inside.
Above: The profile of the wall sconce. Nice.
Confirmation that these were sold in 1973. Looks to be model # M 4178.
What is Brutalist style?
What is “Brutalist” style? Read this story.
1969 Moe Lighting Catalog
I have a copy of a 1969 Moe lighting catalog — 20 pages featured here. I do not see this lighting family yet.
Moreover, I actually own the M-2149 chandelier in this catalog, along with four — yes, 4 — of the M-4149 sconces. I got a super duper good deal on these pieces — which I purchased in two different auctions. Umm, now I just need a house to put them in.
On this catalog, Moe make reference to the Bauhaus influence… then seems to refer to the Mediterranean style (see:”Old and New Worlds”). Heck if I know. Here’s the Moe text:
Unrestricted flexibility, simple lines and incorporation of mand-made materials enable today’s contemporary stylings to be fashionably functional. It’s interesting to note that what we term “modern” today actually originated in the 1920’s in Germany. There, the Bauhaus School staffed by leading designers, architects, and painters had as its credo, “form must follow function.”
…
M-2149 — A unique blending of the Old and the New Worlds. Hand-hammered antique bronze forms a framework that is geometrically contemporary in its execution. This eclectic styling is an ideal mix-and-match chandelier.
Regarding the M-2140/4149 set that I own, I see how they in fact have a Mediterranean antecedent. Make ’em wrought iron and you could put Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable for dinner.
But going back up to the rarities in the main spotlight today — I’m going to assume they were called the 2178 / 4178 model — I don’t see Mediterranean so much as Brutalist. What would an architectural design historian say? Disco???? Any real scholars out there to help on this one??? 🙂
I wish there were more of the 4178 wall sconces and pendants, too, for sale — that way they would make for a matchy matchy set. Still, wow. Any readers out there feeling the need… and with the cash?
Bo @ Rejuvenation says
Pam, great find, and great topic. You may enjoy this brand new post on 1960s and 1970s fixtures, along with our just-released batch of restored ones:
http://blog.rejuvenation.com/stories/late-mid-century-mod-contemporary-lighting-1965-1980/
http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/categories/restored-antiques/featured/swanky-70s
pam kueber says
Love the catalog pages! Groovy to the max!
Tamisha says
OMG, this is too hysterical. I have this very light fixture (9 light one) in my 100 year old house in Richmond, VA, and I find it the most freakingly ugly thing ever. The mod furniture store around the corner also has one for sale for about the same price. I simply haven’t found something more in character with my home.
pam kueber says
Golly, I’ll trade you!
JKaye says
Hi. This is a comment on brutalist architecture, rather than lamps. A few weeks ago we went to an art exhibit (watercolorist Paul Sawyier, who was not into brutalist style as far as I know). The exhibit was at Northern Kentucky University, a campus that has a lot of buildings made of poured concrete, many with a very raw surface. As we walked to the art exhibit, my husband said, “This is brutalist,” and pointed to the exterior of one of the buildings. So, since brutalist art is the topic here, I will link to a video that shows the NKU campus. The video maker has a note that the campus looks bleak and ugly, but, I really like it. It looks like a fortress. These lamps would look great in the NKU buildings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHzu2M-wEEc
pam kueber says
I think it is so interesting that once you understand the design idea behind something it makes it easier to see the beauty! Thanks, jkaye!
Rebecca@MidcenturyModernRemodel says
Those are ridiculously good looking. Thanks for bringing this genre to my attention again. I always pause anytime I see a piece of brutalist anything. Jarring in a good cool way.
Annie B. says
These fixtures are magnificent. I love the in-your-face substantiality of Brutalist interior design. This styling was the top of the line in elegance for those years, no doubt, when Spanish Med went Modern and artsy.
I’m not terribly keen on Brutalist architecture, though; it seems too gloomy to me, too much like Stonehenge made of Legos. Might be the only style of Modern architecture with which I’m not thoroughly in love.
Tracie@MiddleClassModern says
I’m really appreciating brutalist design recently. The Lane brutalist furniture line? So droolworthy. These sconces are amazing.
Robin, NV says
Gosh, wouldn’t these be great in a swanky retro 70s penthouse?
I’ve never been a fan of Brutalism. In my opinion, it’s aptly named – harsh, jarring, brutal. But I can respect it as a recognizable movement that really tried to do something different.
Jay says
Pam, I’m no expert but the catalog states these are “modern” designs and ties it to “modern” originating at the Bauhaus which is true. It gave birth to the modern “International” style of architecture – flat top bldgs. minus classical ornamentation. An excellent pre-war example is PSFS bldg. in Phila. and post-war Lever House in NYC. The catalog doesn’t give these styles specific names but I like your description “Brutalist” as I see the resemblance. I think these are really nice to look at, escpecially with the interior lighting as well as the candles.
pam kueber says
I’m thinking Moe was throwing in all the buzzwords of the day! They ARE correct about Bauhaus inspiring the modern movement, I *think*
Jenny A. says
Gorgeous! I remember the Moe Lighting Catalog story and fell in love with the brutalist lighting then. Maybe someday…
Allen says
Absolutely Beautiful!! Just no place to put them for me. At least at prices like these, if someone does buy them they REALLY like them and will probably preserve them for years to come!