The work of celebrated mid-century Italian lighting designer and entrepreneur Angelo Gaetano Sciolari became widely popular in the United States during the postwar years and strongly influenced lighting makers around the world. The sculptural forms and striking geometric details of his vintage floor lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures fit seamlessly into the mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency interiors of the day.
Sciolari formally studied architecture but also pursued filmmaking for a short period. When his father passed away in 1949, Sciolari took the reins at his family's company, Sciolari Lighting, which had been in business in Rome since 1892. The manufacturer expanded considerably under Gaetano’s leadership. For one, pioneering American lighting company Lightolier, in New York City, began to import the Italian brand’s lighting for the U.S. market, and Lightolier’s star designer, Gerald Thurston, was significantly influenced by Gaetano’s work. In the 1970s, Americans looking to add provocative fixtures created by Gaetano Sciolari to their living rooms could find them in Lightolier catalogs.
Sciolari initially crafted lamps and sconces that bore the hallmarks of traditional Italian design. But during the 1950s, when he would become the in-house designer for legendary Milan lighting manufacturer Stilnovo — one of the leaders of Italian postwar design — he created revolutionary fixtures that endured as his best-known work.
Sciolari drew on a range of influences — enthusiasts see the imprint of Art Deco, brutalism and more in his lighting — and designed futuristic Space Age chandeliers, ceiling lamps and pendants for Stilnovo as well as Stilkronen and S.A. Boulanger that defied the conventions of the time. A dizzying array of materials and finishes characterizes the designer’s work, while geometry is pronounced in each sculptural fixture — there are blown opal glass spheres, polished chrome tubes and brass square bulb holders. These combinations were critical to the development of dazzling lighting that proves eye-catching in any space decades later.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Angelo Gaetano Sciolari lighting today.
A wonderful orignal 1960S Italian Murano glass ceiling light by Venini
By Venini
Located in London, GB
A wonderful orignal Italian Murano glass ceiling light by Venini with hanging Murano glass spheres around a central 5 light fitting. All suspended on chrome chains from a circular ch...
Chrome
Large Murano Glass Flower Chandelier
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in London, GB
A large chrome and Murano glass flower chandelier with 13 fluted glass flower shaped drops, in two different sizes. The glass drops are...
Chrome
A rare pair of 1950s Murano pendants light by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso
By Archimede Seguso, Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of 1950s Murano glass and brass pendant light designed by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso. for Lighting company Arteluce. With black enamelled brass ceiling holder an...
Brass
A rare 1950s Murano glass pendant light by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti, Archimede Seguso
Located in London, GB
A rare 1950s Murano glass and brass pendant light designed by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso. for Lighting company Arteluce. With brass ceiling holder and collar holding the fit...
Brass
Chrome and Lucite Floor Lamp
Located in London, GB
A chrome and Lucite floor lamp on chrome square base and fittings. Rewired and PAT tested with antique white cord flex.
Chrome
An Italian 1960s circular bamboo ball light in the style of Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1960s circular bamboo ball light in the style of Franco Albini, with bamboo hanging chain and woven rattan ceiling rose. Re wired with new brass...
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid- Century glass and chrome chandelier by Sciolari. Italy 1960s
By Sciolari Lighting
Located in Catania, CT
Fair vintage condition with trace of age and use. Oxidation and dots on the metal parts. Produced in Italy during the late 60s by Sciolari. Full working with EU standard, adaptable o...
Chrome
Mid-Century Murano Glass and Chrome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari and produced by Sciolari Lighting in chromed metal and glass, eight E14 bulbs. Angelo Gaetano Sciolari (1927-1994) was the owner of Sciolari Lighting and designer for the Italian manufacturer Stilnovo in the 1950s.[1] It was while working for Stilnovo that Sciolari "created his most recognizable and celebrated designs, a series of multi-light chandeliers fashioned with both glossy and matte metal, conjuring up futuristic visions of the dawning space age." [2] Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s his designs were in high demand, with his designs imported to the American market by Lightolier & Progress Lighting.[1] During this same period, his designs appeared prominently in popular television and film due to their luxurious and futuristic appearance. [1] This has been considered remarkable because Sciorlari's first love was the cinema, a passion he gave up to pursue architecture.[3] He is also remembered as providing a "considerable contribution to the success of the Italian design around the world and in particular in the United States." [3] Despite passing away in 1994, Sciolari's designs have grown in popularity and demand, becoming sought after collectors pieces and fetching a high retail price. [4] Sciolari's Geometric Series, Habitat Series, Cultura Series, and Futura Series are among the most sought after. [4] Noted Interior designer Veere Grenney often uses Sciolari, having recently updated a home designed by John Nash Round, the architect of Buckingham Palace and much of Regency London, with a Sciolari fixture that he described as " a piece of sculpture on the ceiling".[5] A Sciolari chandelier now hangs in Howard Hughes's former mansion, a Spanish Colonial hacienda...
Metal, Chrome
Ten-Light Chrome and Glass Chandelier by Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
Two tiers of candle up-lights and bright chrome frame with crystal prism drops. Working, clean, original condition and ready to install. Height in listing does not include chain and ...
Chrome
Three Midcentury Chrome and Glass Chandeliers by Sciolari, Italy
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Three Italian chrome and Murano glass chandeliers by Sciolari, 1960s-1970s. Measures: Diameter 55cm. Height 130 cm. Eight E14 bulbs.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Italian Gaetano Sciolari Chrome and Crystal Glass Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian Gaetano Sciolari chrome and crystal glass cascade pendant with 9-light from 1970s.
Chrome
Gaetano Sciolari Mid-Century Modern Italian Chrome and Glass Chandelier, 1970
By Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari and produced by Sciolari Lighting in chromed metal and glass, ten E14 bulbs with 51 spheres of blown glass. Angelo Gaetano Sciolari (1927-1994) was the owner of Sciolari Lighting and designer for the Italian manufacturer Stilnovo in the 1950s.[1] It was while working for Stilnovo that Sciolari "created his most recognizable and celebrated designs, a series of multi-light chandeliers fashioned with both glossy and matte metal, conjuring up futuristic visions of the dawning space age." [2] Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s his designs were in high demand, with his designs imported to the American market by Lightolier & Progress Lighting.[1] During this same period, his designs appeared prominently in popular television and film due to their luxurious and futuristic appearance. [1] This has been considered remarkable because Sciorlari's first love was the cinema, a passion he gave up to pursue architecture.[3] He is also remembered as providing a "considerable contribution to the success of the Italian design around the world and in particular in the United States." [3] Despite passing away in 1994, Sciolari's designs have grown in popularity and demand, becoming sought after collectors pieces and fetching a high retail price. [4] Sciolari's Geometric Series, Habitat Series, Cultura Series, and Futura Series are among the most sought after. [4] Noted Interior designer Veere Grenney often uses Sciolari, having recently updated a home designed by John Nash Round, the architect of Buckingham Palace and much of Regency London, with a Sciolari fixture that he described as " a piece of sculpture on the ceiling".[5] A Sciolari chandelier now hangs in Howard Hughes's former mansion, a Spanish Colonial hacienda...
Chrome
