Collection: Single Pendant Lights

Glass Single Pendants

Glass changes completely once the light is on. Clear glass shows the bulb, seeded glass scatters it, and opal glass turns it into a soft glow.

• Hampton Pendant Light by Hudson Valley Lighting: A mouth-blown bell jar based on the glass lanterns that lit Queen Victoria's 1887 golden jubilee in India, with a small upper shade that once kept oil smoke off the ceiling. Today a candelabra cluster sits inside. It comes in Aged Brass with Clear or Snowflakes glass, in three sizes: Small at 10.25" wide and 20.75" tall, Medium at 12" by 25", and Large at 14.5" by 30.75". Small and Medium take three E12 bulbs, and Large takes four. It is damp rated. Mood: A Victorian lantern for a modern ceiling.
• Katie Globe Pendant Light by Visual Comfort Signature: Thomas O'Brien's glass globe hangs from a chain-link stem, with mid-century lines and traditional finishes. Choose Bronze, Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass, or Polished Nickel, with Clear, Seeded, or White glass. Seeded glass is not offered with Polished Nickel. The Small is 12" across and 14" tall, and the Large is 16" across and 19.25" tall. Each takes one E26 bulb. It is damp rated. Mood: A simple bubble of light on a jeweler's chain.
• Archis Pendant Light by Z-Lite: An open steel frame surrounds a clear glass shade, with a light nautical feel. It comes in Brushed Nickel, Matte Black, or Modern Gold, in a 12" version with three candelabra sockets or an 18" version with five. It is dimmable and dry rated. Mood: A ship's lantern, refined for the dining room.

Metal and Industrial Single Pendants

Metal pendants are about structure and directed light. They suit kitchens, workspaces, and any room that favors honest materials over decoration.

• Piper Low Voltage Pendant Light by Visual Comfort Architectural: A slim metal cylinder, 2.5" across and 10" tall, that aims crisp light straight down. It comes in Aged Brass, Antique Bronze, Black with Satin Nickel, Satin Nickel, or White with Satin Nickel. You choose the mounting system: FreeJack or MonoRail at 12V, or MonoPoint at 120V. The drop adjusts from 16.5" to 82.5". It takes an MR16 bulb, with an optional LED at 485 lumens, 90 CRI, and 3000K. It is ELV dimmable and Title 24 compliant, and select versions are on display at our San Francisco showroom. Mood: A precise beam over the work surface.
• Early Electric Pendant Light by Maxim Lighting: The barest pendant possible: a black fabric cord ending in an antique brass socket. It comes as a plug-in or with a canopy for hardwiring, and the cord reaches 124.5" at full length. It takes one E26 ST19 bulb up to 60W, not included, so the bulb you choose becomes the whole fixture. It is dimmable and dry rated. Mood: A showcase for a great bulb.
• Houston Pendant Light by AFX Lighting: A clear glass cylinder framed by square bar-stock metal, 3.5" across and 15.25" tall. It comes in Black, Light Antique Brass, or Satin Nickel and takes one E26 T10 bulb. It dims on TRIAC or ELV, is damp rated, and carries a two-year warranty. Mood: Clean lines with a hard edge.

Modern Single Pendants

In these designs the shape is the statement. The light source stays tucked inside wood, glass, or a sculpted form, and the material shapes how the light comes out.

• Link Pendant Light by LZF: Ray Power's interlocking loops of FSC-certified wood veneer make the shade itself the sculpture, with light seeming to come from no single point. Choose from ten veneer colors, from Natural Beech and Natural Cherry to Sea Blue, Pale Rose, and Red, with Matte Black, Matte White, or Matte Nickel hardware. The Small is 18.1" across and 11" tall, and the Large is 27.1" across and 15.7" tall. It takes one E26 LED bulb, not included. It is dimmable and carries a two-year warranty. Mood: Wood ribbon that glows.
• Liuku Drop Pendant Light by Mater: Maija Puoskari's teardrop of FSC-certified linden wood, made in Latvia, in Natural or Black. On its own it is 5.5" across and 7.6" tall. With the optional Transparent or Smoked glass shade, it grows to 7.6" across and 15.9" tall. The drop reaches 85.6", and it takes one GU10 LED bulb, not included. Mood: Nordic woodwork in miniature.
• Somerset Pendant Light by Hinkley: Etched opal glass floats inside a slim metal yoke and ring, finished with small turned metal knobs. It comes in Black, Brushed Nickel, Heritage Brass, or Buckeye Bronze. The Medium is 17" tall and the Large is 23" tall. It takes one E26 bulb up to 100W, is dimmable, and is dry rated. Mood: Vintage school-house light, tidied up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a single pendant light a kitchen island?

On a short island, under about 4 feet, yes. Choose a wider fixture like the Katie Large, Archis 18", or Link Large so the light spreads across the counter. On a longer island, one pendant leaves the ends dark, so plan on two or three, or add recessed lighting for fill.

What bulb should I use in a clear glass pendant?

With clear glass, as on the Archis, Houston, or clear Katie, the bulb is visible, so it becomes part of the design. A frosted or opal LED cuts glare. A clear filament-style LED keeps the sparkle without the heat of an incandescent. The Early Electric is built entirely around this idea.

Do I need special wiring for the Piper?

The FreeJack and MonoRail versions run on 12V and need a compatible low-voltage system with a transformer. The MonoPoint version runs on 120V and mounts directly to a standard junction box. Choose the version that matches your ceiling before you order.