Artiforte

Artiforte (often referred to as Atelier Artiforte) was a Dutch lighting company based in Rotterdam. According to later research, including archival investigation and information obtained from the Fillekes family, the atelier was already active around 1930. The company became best known for its high-quality, modernist lighting designs from the 1950s and 1960s. While detailed primary documentation is limited, surviving lamps and period catalogues clearly show a firm that combined solid metal construction with a restrained, functional design language.

A key figure in the post-war history of the company is Henk Fillekes (1918–1983). After the Second World War, Fillekes took over the atelier together with his partner Johan van Wierst. From that point onwards, Artiforte developed a recognisable post-war catalogue of floor lamps, wall lamps and table lamps, including designs attributed to Fillekes as well as collaborations with external designers.

Artiforte is also associated with designs by notable Dutch designers such as Kho Liang Ie (1927–1975) and Johan Niegeman (1902–1977), whose work appears in references to Artiforte catalogues and collections.

In the vintage design market, Artiforte is often mentioned in connection with a small number of iconic models, including the Magneto floor lamp.

Note: In recent years, a contemporary company has reintroduced the name Atelier Artiforte and presents itself as reviving this Dutch lighting heritage. Their own “heritage” and designer pages provide additional context, but these should be understood as modern brand history rather than as primary documentation of the original Artiforte company.

1950s Metal Floor Lamp – 1955 Catalogue Picture

Dutch magazine Goed Wonen (Good Living) number 4 from 1955, page XV. This floor lamp with an acrylic lampshade.

Acrylic: often named by its commercial name: Perspex, Plexiglas, Crylux, Acrylite, Lucite, is a thermoplastic.