1950s Italian Desk Lamp

Materials: Diamond shaped base made of wood and two iron slats and ornamental brass screws. Thick brass ribbed rod and parts. Black painted perforated round aluminium lampshade, painted white inside. 2 Bakelite E14 sockets.

Height: 37 cm / 14.56”

Lampshade: ∅ 24,8 cm / 9.76”

Base: 12 x 12,8 cm / 4.72 x 5.03”

Electricity: 2 bulbs E14, 2 x 40 watt maximum, 220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. For this setup refrigerator bulbs were used.

Period: 1950s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: Oscar Torlasco (1934-2004) – attributed.

Manufacturer: Lumi Cripa S.R.L., Via Imperia 20 and Piazza Missori 2,  Milan, Italy – attributed.

Other versions: This 1950s Italian desk lamp exists in several variations. This base is in a diamond shape, others are square or rectangular. Also produced with a different rod.

This table lamp is often attributed to Stilnovo or Stilux, two other lighting companies from Milan, Italy. Others say it is an early design by Oscar Torlasco. This lamp was acquired in the region, in between Milan and Florence. It was at least inspired by the early designs of Oscar Torlasco.

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Oscar Torlasco

Born in Rome, Italy in 1934, Oscar Torlasco designed many beautiful lamps. The most well known are the lamps he designed for Lumi. Torlasco designed for several Italian lighting manufacturers including Esperia, Stilux and Stilkronen. Most of his designs are from the 1950s and 60s. For many lamps he uses optic lenses for spreading/diffusing the light. It is his trademark. In 1959 Torlasco won the Italian design award, the “Compasso d’Oro” (Golden Compass) for his Genova 4053 street lighting. The lamps was in production by Fabbrica Apparecchi Illuminazione Greco S.p.A.. Oscar Torlasco passed away in 2004.

Lumi

In 1944 Carlo Antonio Crippa created his “workshop” Lumi (lights). Cripa surrounded himself with the most prominent designers, such as Guglielmo Berchicci, Anselmo De Sanctis, Pia Guidetti (Cripa), Maurizio Favetta, Ugo la Pietra, Giò Ponti, Prospero Rasulo, Alessandro Scilipoti, Matteo Thun, Gianni Veneziano and Luciana Di Virgilio (Veneziano & Team), Mario Vallini, Nanda Vigo and of course Oscar Torlasco. The Lumi company always uses high quality materials.

Today the company is still a workshop where materials are shaped according to the artist’s imagination. All crafting by hand, even by using modern technology. For many crystal lamps and chandeliers Lumi produces today Swarovski is involved. The company is still in family hands and the third generation is now at the helm. Lumi is part of the Falb group.