Bestselling Rare Angelo Lelii For Arredoluce Floor Lamp - Final Sale [LkIbUwDp]

Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, floor lamp, coated aluminum and brass, brass, marble, Italy, design circa 1954

An exceptionally rare floor lamp, designed by the acclaimed lighting designer Angelo Lelii, exemplifies his mastery in the field. This design was featured in Domus magazine, issue number 343 (June 1958), within an article showcasing interiors by Italian architect Tonino M. Cirielli, where the lamp takes part in the dining area. Its rarity is underscored by its absence from the Arredoluce catalogue raisonné.

The design is unparalleled in its geometric clarity, mechanical ingenuity, and tensile elegance. It features a minimalist composition characterized by a delicate balance between its components. The base, a rounded triangular form crafted from white marble, provides stable support. From this platform, a slender vertical rod, painted in a vivid terracotta hue, rises to emphasize its modernist aesthetic. A thin brass diagonal rod cantilevers outward from the top, drawing the eye to the distinctive, gently curved lampshade – reminiscent of an umbrella or a lightly tensioned sail – coated in a refreshing yellow tone. Lelii’s technical mastery is evident in the lamp’s subtle yet efficient mechanical structure. A cleverly designed system allows the height of the cantilevered arm to be easily adjusted to suit one’s needs. This is a quietly ingenious piece of mid-century lighting, where form and mechanical innovation are beautifully intertwined. The on/off switch bears the manufacturer’s mark: “MADE IN ITALY ARREDOLUCE MONZA.”

Biography

Paolo Angelo Lelii (1911-1979) was born in Ancona, Italy. After his studies at the Superior Institute of Industrial Art, Milan, he lived and worked in Monza. From 1943, Lelii started manufacturing lamps in his own house and in 1946 he advertised his well-known 'Tris' lamp in Domus magazine. It was in 1947 that he founded Arredoluce in Monza, a premier manufacturer of furniture and lighting. In the same year, he exhibited the lamp 12128 at the VII Triennale di Milano, which became known as the Triennale floor lamp. He became an influential designer in Postwar Italy, especially in the field of modern lighting design. During the 1950s, Arredoluce started to collaborate with designers such as Franco Albini, Achille Castiglioni, Gio Ponti, and Ettore Sottsass and also began to experiment with halogen light bulbs for his designs, which lead to the recognizable Arredoluce switch. Thanks to Angelo Lelii’s unique approach to design, Arredoluce quickly built a reputation for creating premium quality products based on clean, simple, and functional designs.