BH | Studio Bassano 3-Light Swing-Arm Pendant

In the early 1950s French and Italian lighting designers began to treat the ceiling light as sculpture, sending slim metal arms out from a central stem to carry small shades into the room. The multi-arm fixture with cone shades became one of the defining shapes of mid-century modern lighting.

This one hangs from a single satin brass rod and branches into three slim brass arms, each ending in a matte black cone shade lined in white to throw light down. The shades swing to aim the light where it is needed. The hanging rods adjust the drop, so it can sit low over a table or higher in a room with a tall ceiling, and the arms spread about 48 inches. It takes three E26 bulbs up to 40 watts each, or LED equivalents, sold separately; on a dimmer switch, also sold separately, it goes from bright task light to a soft supper glow. Like any hard-wired ceiling fixture it is installed by an electrician, and some assembly is required.

Hang it over a round dining table, above a kitchen island for focused light while cooking, or as a sculptural centerpiece in a bedroom or living room. Black and brass read crisp and mid-century: pair it with a warm wood table, molded chairs, white walls and an abstract canvas, or set it in a traditional room against blue-and-white china. This listing is for one pendant; bulbs and dimmer switch are not included.