Though Bruno Gatta founded Stilnovo way back in 1946, it is still one of the most instantly recognizable names in lighting. Gatta (1904–76) began his business in Milan, and, like many European creatives designing furniture and decor in the wake of World War II, he leaned toward the new wave of mass-market and streamlined styles. In fact, Stilnovo loosely translates to “new style” in Italian, and vintage Stilnovo chandeliers, floor lamps and other lighting have endured as a practical choice for those looking to bring innovative and forward-thinking design into their homes.
Soon after Stilnovo was established, Gatta’s lighting fixtures were applauded throughout Europe for their novel industrial materials as well as their unique yet functional shapes. Italy during the mid-20th century was completely revolutionary, and Bruno Gatta and Stilnovo’s head designer, Angelo Gaetano Sciolari, helped shape the era.
When the 1960s arrived, Stilnovo was experiencing such a boom that the company opened a new production plant in Lainate. One of the brand’s most famous pieces, Giovanni Luigi Gorgoni’s quirky 1965 Buonanotte spherical table lamp, became a best seller.
Gatta partnered with some of the most well-known names in design, including Ettore Sottsass, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo and Gae Aulenti. Sottsass’s pieces for Stilnovo, including the 1977 Valigia four-legged table lamp, the 1968 Lampros chandelier and Manifesto ceiling light, and the Castiglionis’ 1957 Saliscendi pendant light fixtures are some of the brand’s most recognizable to date. In 1978, De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi designed the Fante lamp with an adjustable reflector that playfully recalls a broad-brimmed hat.
Stilnovo’s designs, including Danilo and Corrado Aroldi’s flexible Periscope table lamp, were featured in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art. While Stilnovo continued to operate with new designer collaborations after Gatta’s death, it closed its doors in 1988.
Italian art director Massimo Anselmi acquired the company in 2012 and rereleased several of Stilnovo’s most celebrated pieces. Then in 2019, lighting giant Linea Light Group purchased Stilnovo and relaunched its classic designs with contemporary touches like LED lighting systems.
Find vintage Stilnovo chandeliers and pendants, wall lights, table lamps and other fixtures and furniture on 1stDibs.
Pair of Brass and Opaline Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This pair of brass and opaline wall lamps from Italy, dating to the 1960s, combines elegant simplicity with a refined mid-century character. Each lamp features a warm brass fixture p...
Brass
Pair of Brass and Opaline Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This pair of brass and opaline wall lamps from Italy, dating to the 1960s, showcases a refined and elegant mid-century aesthetic. Each lamp features a warm brass structure with gentl...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Brass and Plexi Glass Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Elegant pair of Italian wall lamps from the 1960s, combining sculptural brass fittings with softly curved, translucent plexiglass shades. Each lamp features a vertically ribbed diff...
Brass
Pair of Brass and Opaline Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This elegant pair of brass and opaline wall lamps from 1960s Italy beautifully captures the essence of mid-century modern design. Each sconce features two elongated opaline glass sha...
Brass
Pair of Brass and Opaline Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This exquisite pair of wall lamps from 1960s from Italy embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of mid-century modern design. Designed in the style of Stilnovo, these lamps are timel...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Brass Wall Lamps, Italy, 1960s
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This stylish pair of wall lamps from 1960s Germany captures the essence of Mid-Century modern design with their bold geometric forms and contrasting color palette. Each sconce featur...
Brass
Pair of Stilnovo Wall Lamps, Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Stilnovo wall lamps, Italy, 1950s. Original labels.
Brass
Vintage Pair of Brass and Enamel Stilnovo Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Stilnovo wall sconces in high polished brass and off-white arrow-shaped enamel details. Each sconce has two frosted glass diffusers with two sockets. Watta...
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Sconces by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sconces by Stilnovo (Italy, 1960s) Rectangular opal glass sits at a diagonal, revealing a polished brass stem down the center. Each sconce holds a single E26 socket type. We recomm...
Brass
Mid-Century Double Head Glass and Brass Pair of Wall Lamps, 1960s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Double Head Glass and Brass Pair of Wall Lamps, 1960s, Italy Very high quality. 2 pairs available Lamp are in very good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and ...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Brass Stilnovo Style Two-Light Wall Sconces, Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of brass Stilnovo style two-light wall sconces, Italy 1950's, modernist and clear lines design, brass galery with blackened backplate. Both sconces in good original vintage cond...
Brass
Pair of 1950s Italian Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Rome, IT
A distinctive and subtly playful pair of Italian wall sconces from the 1950s, defined by a sculptural composition in brass with contrasting material details. Each sconce features tw...
Metal, Brass
