In Dutch, “raak” means “to hit” or “to hit the nail on the head.” Lighting company RAAK certainly accomplished that with its unique mid-century modern designs of futuristic, Space Age metal lamps, pendants and other lighting creations.
RAAK was founded in 1954 by Carel O. Lockhorn (1923–2004), a former employee of the Philips Lighting company in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Under the tagline “Illuminated Architecture,” RAAK focused on producing elegant, sophisticated and modern lighting that would blend seamlessly with high-concept interiors.
During the 1960s, one of RAAK’s most well-known designs came from its in-house designer, Frank Ligtelijn, who created the Globe 2000 series of glass and chrome floor lamps, pendants and wall lights. Another key collaboration was with Dutch artist and glassmaker Willem van Oyen, who produced the iconic Chartres wall lights in 1964. Van Oyen’s Brutalist design evoked melted paintings and was inspired by the stained glass windows in the Chartres Cathedral in France.
In the 1970s, RAAK worked with several influential international artists, such as Italian designers Sergio Asti, Giotto Stoppino and Cesare Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, and Finnish designers Maija Liisa Komulainen (best known for her metallic, cylindrical Fuga lamp) and Tapio Wirkkala, creator of the handblown crystal Suomi pendant lamps.
Through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, RAAK enjoyed enormous success throughout Europe and worldwide for its modern lamps and decorative lighting. In 1974, Lockhorn sold RAAK to the furniture company ITT but remained its director until 1977. In 1980, RAAK merged with BIS Lighting and was renamed BISRAAK. Then, in 1999, the company entered into another merger, this time with Artilite B.V. and Indoor B.V., and became the Center for Light Architecture. It declared bankruptcy in 2011.
RAAK lighting continues to be highly coveted today among interior designers and avid vintage furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage RAAK lighting, decorative objects and more.
"Maxi Globe" Pendant Lamp By Raak, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1968.
Located in PAU, FR
“MAXI GLOBE” PENDANT LAMP BY RAAK, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 1968. Artist:Raak Pendant lamp consisting of 5 spheres, with adjustable height for each sphere. A remarkable piece featurin...
Brass
Large Maxi Globe Pendant by RAAK Amsterdam, 1965
By RAAK
Located in Echt, NL
Impressive 'Maxi Globe' pendant by RAAK Amsterdam in excellent condition. Grey fume glass. Brass hardware. White ceiling plate. Black cord, the length of the cord can made in ...
Metal, Brass
$1,759
H 15.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Mid-Century Space Age Swiss Type 756 Globe Pendant Lamp from Temde, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare Globe pendant lamp from Temde. Simple, elegant mid-century lights made of acrylic and aluminum. The transparent, spherical lamp body reveals the inner workings, the funnel-shap...
Metal
Globe pendant light by Glashutte Limburg, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century glass pendant light by Glashutte Limburg. Amber coloured glass which emits a nice light. Brass socket and shade holder. The wire can be lengthened or shortened as des...
Brass
$517 / item
H 14.18 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
RAAK Amsterdam Maxi Globe L Pendant Lamps the Netherlands, 1965
By RAAK
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pendant lamps model Maxi Globe designed and made by Raak Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1965. These pendants have a brass base carrying a smoked glass shade. This beautiful lam...
Brass
RAAK Dutch Modern Style 4-Light Globe Hanging Pendant Lamp, 1965
Located in Astoria, NY
RAAK Dutch Modern Style Hanging Pendant Lamp, manufactured 1965, with four staggered globe pendants, shades in bubble detailed smoked glass. 52" H x 27" Diameter.
Glass
$638Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.66 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Mid-Century Modern Glass Globe Pendant Lamp by Doria Leuchten
By Doria Leuchten Germany
Located in Oirlo, LI
Glass Globe pendant lamp by Doria Leuchten, 1970s Nice stylish light object, fits perfectly in a sleek modern interior with a lot of daylight with a few 'eye catchers' here and ther...
Chrome
$1,759
H 9.45 in Dm 15.75 in
Mid-Century Space Age Model P 232 L Globe Pendant Lamp by Svend Middelboe, 1960s
By Svend Middelboe
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare pendant lamp made of aluminum and glass from Nordisk Solar based on a design by Svend Middelboe from the 1960s. The simple dome shape is broken up by the glass insert in the up...
Metal
Mid-Century Space Age Globe Pendant Lamp, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare Space Age ball pendant light with different switching modes. The upper part of the lamp consists of a translucent plastic ball that can be illuminated from the inside. The lowe...
Metal
Stilux Milano 1970s Large Globe Pendant Light
By Stilux
Located in New York, NY
A 1970s modern design pendant light by well-known Italian lighting company Stilux of Milano. The white opaline shade is handblown and measures 13" in diameter. Similarly, it is toppe...
Chrome
LS 134 Medusa Glass Hanging Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1960s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in bruxelles, BE
Hanging lamp LS 134 Medusa model in Murano glass designed by Carlo Nason. Adjustable height, height max with cable: 170 cm. Wear due to time and age (bubble in the glass) FOR SHIPPIN...
Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Pallade Lamp by Studio Tetrarch for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Studio Tetrarch
Located in bruxelles, BE
Plastic chandelier in orange color. Wear due to time and age of the lamp.
Plastic
Ceiling Lamp from Erco, 1960s
By Erco
Located in bruxelles, BE
Copper hanger. Height adjustment of the suspension thanks to the cord mechanism. ERCO stamped.
Copper
"Sona" Hanging lamp by Carlo Nason for Lumenform, 1970S
By Carlo Nason, Lumenform
Located in bruxelles, BE
Murano glass pendant lamp by Carlo Nason. Sona model. Height with cable: 190 cm Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
"Viscontea" Hanging Lamp by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s
By Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in bruxelles, BE
Metal and resin hanging lamp from the 1960s. Model: Viscontea. Height maximum with cable: 151 cm. Good condition, wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR R...
Metal
Hanging Lamp model 1262 by Stilnovo, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in bruxelles, BE
White metal lamp made by Stilnovo. Stamped Stilnovo. Height with cable: 95 cm. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
