Many key factors contribute to the success of an interior design project: colour, furniture, decorative elements… but the most important one could really be lighting! The choice of lights allows to set precise moods in different rooms or even inside the same space, and makes a house feel like a home. There are, of course, countless choices when it comes to lighting fixtures; however, at Spinzi we love to add a defining touch by selecting vintage lamps.
Why vintage lamps, you may ask? For one, we absolutely love their looks. Lamps from the 1950s, 60s and 70s were so avant-garde that they still look contemporary nowadays. A Torlasco table lamp, a Reggiani chandelier or a Mazzega floor lamp embody the very definition of “timeless”. Then, things were built better back in the day. It may sound like a cliché, but it really shows, especially when it comes to furniture and accessories: the value for money is impossible to beat. And finally, at a time when most high-end interior projects end up looking very similar to each other, vintage lamps add that unexpected touch that sets the design apart. If you’re looking for a conversation starter, that’s the right choice for you!
Vintage Lamps: the foremost brands
You might argue that there are countless lamps made fifty, sixty or seventy years ago – and you would be right. So what exactly makes a lamp a “vintage lamp”, rather than just an old lamp? As we said, the design plays a fundamental part. If you look at the fixture today and it still has a contemporary appearance, then rest assured it will continue to look as good for decades to come. If, instead, it could only go along your grandma’s weathered sofa, well, it’s simply old.
Taste is of course subjective, and not everyone will like the same lamps that we adore, but we believe this is a good rule of thumb. Also, some brands were more forward-thinking than others, and what they created is still looking sharp today, decades later: if you’re hunting for a vintage lamp, you should definitely start from one of those names. Who were they? Here are our favourites!
Reggiani
It would be unfair not to start from Reggiani. Founded in 1957 and named after its creator, Goffredo Reggiani, the company has recently been re-launched by Nemo Group. Only time will tell if re-editions of their vintage lamps are on the way, or if they’ll focus on a different kind of products; but for the moment, we can admire their stunning creations from the Sixties and Seventies. With their iconic rounded shapes, magnetic systems and chrome coatings, original Reggiani lamps are some of the most attractive and sought-after vintage lamps.
Mazzega
Mazzega holds a special place in our hearts, since the brand was based in Murano and therefore cross-contaminates two of our greatest passions: vintage lamps and Murano glass. Mazzega’s creations make wide use of glass and the possibilities it offers: organic and fluid shapes, as well as translucent and opaline finishes, are often found on fixtures by the brand. The most fascinating lamps are those designed by architect Carlo Nason, like the famous “Lotus” table lamp or the “Ice” appliques, as well as many others.
Artemide
Artemide is rightfully considered one of the foremost lamp manufacturers in the world. Its catalogue still includes some of the most successful vintage lamps, designed by Vico Magistretti or Ettore Sottsass. Other creations, however, are no longer produced and only remain available on the vintage market. It’s the case of the wonderful “Polimnia” floor lamp, part of a wider collection designed by the Milanese studio BBPR, or the “Gamma” applique, by Sergio Mazza – another prominent figure of the Italian Mid-Century Modern movement.
Azucena
We’re taking home field with this one. Founded in Milano by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Ignazio Gardella and Corrado Corradi Dall’Acqua, the company has recently been relived and the production of its iconic furniture pieces and vintage lamps has re-started. When walking around Milano, it’s not uncommon to spot the brand’s signature lights in entryways and interiors: the most famous creations are the LP10 “Bidoni”, the LP11 “Saliscendi” and the LP12 “Galleria”, all made in brass and opaline glass.
Stilnovo
Stilnovo tells the story of the “Italian miracle”: founded in 1946, it was one of the many successful companies born right after the tragedy of WW2, paving the way for the country’s bright future. Right from the outset, the brand understood the importance of design and teamed up with the foremost designers of every decade to deliver some timeless lamps. It’s not easy to single out a favourite, but this vintage 1950s lamp in stainless steel and opaline glass sure is impressive.
Lumi
Due to their rarity, lamps designed by Oscar Torlasco for his own brand Lumi often command impressive prices at auctions all around the globe. These lights all share the same design language and choice of materials: they are crafted in brass and black bakelite, have an elegantly tapered light shade and usually integrate a glass lens that widens the light beam. Despite being serially made, the rich patina developed by both the brass and bakelite gives them a distinct artisanal touch and makes them stand out in the world of vintage lamps.
VeArt
Much like Mazzega, fixtures by VeArt sit right at the intersection of art glass and vintage lamps. The most beautiful ones were designed by architect Toni Zuccheri, a long-time collaborator of the Murano-based brand as well as of other names, like Venini. His creations play with the thickness, colour and texture of glass, shaping thick panels in the most uncommon and attractive ways. The pictured floor lamp, attributed to Zuccheri and VeArt by auction catalogues and literature, is a perfect example.
Arredoluce
Brass (and gold-tone metals in general) are often associated with old-school interiors, while chrome and stainless steel exude a more contemporary feel. While this is generally true, vintage lamps by Arredoluce, the company of famed designer Angelo Lelli, certainly prove the rule is not universal. Mostly known for the “Stella” flush mount chandeliers, Lelli also created other fascinating designs that perfectly blend the style of his era with a distinct timelessness. The general scarcity of production also makes Arredoluce lamps extremely attractive to collectors.
OMA
OMA is by far the lesser known from this list, and you might have never heard of it. When we sourced this stunning floor lamp with the “OMA – Made in Italy” original label, we were quite puzzled too: never had we heard this name. A good dose of research, however, led us to an incredible discovery: the “Officina Meccanica Artigianale” was born in 1960 in Padua, near Venice, when Vladimiro Brunello acquired the workshop that had been crafting custom lamps for Carlo Scarpa! The brand sadly closed in 2018, but its rare vintage lamps remain a testimony of great Italian craftsmanship.
Luci Milano
Luci Milano had its roots in – you might have guessed it – Milano. Its vintage lamps are quite rare, and not much is known about the brand; all pieces are labelled, but only some of them include the name of the designer (as is the case with the T395 by Robert Sonneman). All models were named with a letter and three numbers; the letter stood for “Table” (T), “Floor” (P, as Pavimento in Italian) and so on. Outstanding quality and timeless design make lamps by Luci very desirable, and perfect for a contemporary interior project.
These makers are among our favourites, but can you imagine how hard it was to narrow down the list to only ten brands? Researching vintage lamps is a journey of constant discovery, and for each lamp that can be attributed to its makers, dozens remain anonymous – yet just as attractive.
Through our online catalogue, you can shop a constantly updated selection of signed and unsigned pieces, all sourced by the Spinzi team in the belief that good design is timeless and will be forever!
