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.
Joe Colombo for Stilnovo "Topo" Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
The "Topo" table lamp, originally designed by Joe Colombo in 1970, has long been recognized as an iconic and timeless design. The shape of the reflector mirrors that of a standard bu...
Metal, Aluminum
Stilnovo for Artimeta Space Age Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Artimeta, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
Space Age table lamp in chrome metal and white methacrylate by Stilnovo for Artimeta. Italy 1970 in the style of Joe Colombo, Arteluce, Arredoluce, Lumi, Luci, Rggiani, Sciolari, We...
Metal
Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce Serpente Table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Martinelli Luce, Elio Martinelli
Located in Naples, IT
Designed in 1965 by Elio Martinelli, the lamp is made with methacrylate molding techniques that were innovative for the time in which it was designed and brings to life the atmosphere of those decisive years for the establishment...
Metal
Roberto Pamio for Leucos Murano Glass Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Leucos, Roberto Pamio
Located in Naples, IT
Murano blown glass table lamp, with lattiimo glass base and clear glass top. The base is made of chrome-plated metal. Designed by Roberto Pamio in the 1970s for the Leucos Company.
Metal
Isao Hosoe for Luxo Italiana "Picchio" Table Lamp, Italy 1980s
By Isao Hosoe, Luxo
Located in Naples, IT
Picchio table lamp by Japanese designer Isao Hosoe and produced by Luxo Italiana in 1984. Elegant and functional table lamp made of ABS. The top of the...
Metal
Gae Aulenti per Artemide Lampada da Tavolo "Mezzo Oracolo" Italia 1960s
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Lampada da tavolo Mezzoracolo, in metallo laccato marrone, ottone e diffusore in vetro opalino bianco. Perfettamente conservata e funzionante con luce interna alla base e nel diffuso...
Metal, Brass
Periscopio Table Lamp by Danilo & Corrado Aroldi for Stilnovo, 1967
By Stilnovo, Danilo & Corrado Arnoldi
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Periscopio table lamp with standard by Danilo and Corrado Aroldi for Stilnovo, 1967. As described in Stillovo Catalogue No. 30: "Swivelling lamp, with vertical and horizontal motion...
Aluminum, Iron
Periscope Table Lamp by Danilo Aroldi for Stilnovo, 1960s
By Danilo & Corrado Arnoldi, Stilnovo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Metal lamp in white and black color. Wear due to time and age of the lamp (see photo).
Metal
Model 3105 "Studio" Table Lamp by Carlo Viligiardi for Stilnovo, 1972
By Stilnovo
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very rare model 3105 Table Lamp by Stilnovo. The name of the lamp is "Studio". This very nice lamp was designed by Carlo Viligiardi in 1972 for the I...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Riccardo Blumer, Italy, 1960
By Artemide, Riccardo Blumer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian table lamp made of hand crafted brushed aluminum, designed by Riccardo Blumer and produced by Artemide, featuring a one light socket in good condition. This desk light is a discontinued model, the base has still the original label. The wires have been renewed. Wear consistent with age and use. circa 1960, Italy. Measures: Base: 0.5" H x 8.5" W x 8.5" D Shade: 2.75" H x 4.5" W 5" D Riccardo Blumer is an Italian designer, architect, professor and a choreographer born in 1959, in Bergamo, Italy. Blumer graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan, the largest technical university in Italy. In 1966, he designed laleggera for Alias, which won the ADI Compasso d’Oro in 1998. Since 2006, Blumer works at the University of San Marino, Italy. Artemide is an Italian design-oriented manufacturer, founded in 1960 in Pregnana Milanese, Italy by the Italian engineer Ernesto Gismondi. The company Artemide is well-known for their excellent design, for example the Tizio desk lamp...
Metal, Aluminum
Table Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Ernesto Gismondi
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This table lamp, designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide in Italy during the 1970s, is a fine example of mid-century modern lighting design. It showcases the designer’s signature b...
Metal
Vintage Italian Design Stilnovo Milano Table or Desk Lamp, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Italian Design Stilnovo Milano Table or Desk Lamp, 1960s Vintage metal table lamp produced by Stilnovo Italy during the 1960s. Very nice and...
Metal
