Italy is revered for many things: Food, wine, coffee, fashion -- and in the world of design -- lighting. For decades, Italy has set the bar in contemporary lighting, thanks to forward-thinking pioneers like Gio Ponti, risk-taking brands like FontanaArte and Flos, and time-honoured techniques, like Murano glass-blowing.

Charting the history of Italian lighting design is no easy task, but these table lamps certainly served as landmarks that helped pave the way for Italy’s lighting renaissance. Each lamp consists of three separate parts: an iron base with the lighting bulb, a smaller cone that lets the light through, and finally, the bigger, blown glass cone that covers the structure. The opalescent cones let through the light which is dimmed by the glass cone to create a warm atmosphere in any space. While the form and structure of this model is in itself eye-catching, the designer still paid extra attention to the details on the top of the cones. The outer glass cone’s black tip is reversed and flows inside, seemingly trying to “reach out” to the small black orb on the tip of the inner cone. The black and white colour scheme is characteristic of Italian lamps of the era, and lets the unique design be in the focus.

In the mid-80s, many companies began operating in Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna, with the branding 'made in Italy'. Designers became celebrities in their own right, such as Harvey Guzzini and Ettore Sottsass of the Memphis group. The focus of the 1980s movements, as seen in these lamps, were playfulness, the design of the surfaces and the communicative aspect of design products. Replacing the monofunctionality of older models, these table lamps function as sculptures and lighting alike in a visually striking manner. As such, they differ slightly as it can be expected from any handmade artisan object.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

9.44 in ⌀ x 11.61 in H

24 cm ⌀ x 29.5 cm H