1970s Torpedo chandelier – Viro catalogue 1973
I Don’t Want to Be Born – The Devil Within Her – The Monster – full movie.
1970s Torpedo Chandelier
Although everyone says that this is a design by Aldo Nason, it is not true. Nor is it an AV Mazzega lamp.
Materials: 6 long hand blown opal milky crystal Murano glass “torpedoes”. Nickel-plated and chromed metal parts made of iron and brass. Bakelite sockets.
Rod Length: 100 cm / 39.37”
Height: 50 cm / 19.68”
Width: ∅ 38 cm / 14.96”
Electricity: 6 bulbs E14, 6 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used. Not a specific one preferred. It is recommended not to use clear light bulbs for this type of lamp.
Period: 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: To be appraised.
Manufacturer: To be appraised, sold by Viro Lamparas Arte, Spain.
Other versions: This 1970s Torpedo chandelier exists in several variations. Made with more or less lamps. Made as a table lamp and a floor lamp. Wall lamps also exists. One of the biggest chandeliers uses 18 light bulbs. Many different metal parts, all with the same tubular glass.
Viro Lampares Arte
Viro Lampares Arte was a lighting producer from Barcelona, Spain that sold many lamps from several Murano lighting producers. The company is long gone. It probably ended business somewhere in the eighties.
For the moment it is unclear who produced these lamp series. They are not an Aldo Nason design and they are not made by AV Mazzega, as confirmed by Carlo Nason. Also Leucos was contacted and they have no idea. However a set of pendant lamps with this type of glass can be found online as the Ata pendant lamp designed by Giusto Toso, unfortunately without proof (link below).
Lamps in the movies!
A 1970s Torpedo wall lamp was used as bedside lighting on each side of a luxurious bed, probably Italian. They were used as a prop in the 1975 British horror film I Don’t Want to Be Born. In the USA it was named The Devil Within Her. The film is also known as The Monster. Featuring Joan Collins and Ralph Bates. You can see it for example at + – 1:21. The king-size bed appears many times in the film. The full movie is available for free on YouTube.
A 1970s Torpedo floor lamp appears in the James Bond film Live And Let Die from 1973. Starring Roger Moore, Jane Seymour and Yaphet Kotto.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Ata pendant lamp – Liveauctioneers website
I Don’t Want To Be Born (1975) – Wikipedia
Live and Let Die (1973) – Wikipedia
Vintageinfo
Many thanks to Frank from Flowermountain.be for the photos and the enthusiasm. Many thanks to Silvio for all the help.