Banci Firenze Flower Ceiling Lamp

Materials: Gold “antique” painted metal (iron), presenting a flower with European oak leaves (quercus robur) and ferns. Bakelite E14 sockets.

Height: 13 cm / 5.11” – with light bulbs, 10 cm / 3.93” – without bulbs.

Width: ∅ 27 cm / 10.62” – with light bulbs, 20 cm / 7.87” – without bulbs.

Electricity: 3 bulbs E14, 3 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.  For this setup decorative light bulbs from Sigtay were used. They are no longer in production.

Period: 1950s, 1960s until now – Hollywood Regency.

Designer: Studio Banci.

Manufacturer: Banci srl, Via Ponchielli, 27 – 50137 Scandicci (Florence) Italy.

Other versions: This Banci Firenze flower ceiling lamp was produced in many variations and is still in production. Made with 3, 6 or 15 light bulbs, as you can see. Catalogue pictures below. Often said these lamps are gilded or that it is patinated brass, but that’s a mistake.

Banci Firenze

Founded in 1899 by Giuseppe Banci in the historic centre of Florence, Italy. Initially started as glass-makers, the company soon began with the restoration of chandeliers in iron, crystal and glass, or the antiquarians of the Santo Spirito neighbourhood in the city. 

His son, Gastone and his daughter, Gina, continued to restore antiques and began to produce their own lighting fixtures in the 1930’s and the 1940’s. Gastone travelled a lot, buying unique glasses and crystals; Gina, worked in the workshop, joining the various elements and creating the first “Banci” chandeliers.

Today (2018) the artisan workshop is a company in its fourth generation, assisted by a managerial staff. All lighting is handmade. They also produce furniture and decoration. 

The company’s slogan: “BANCI, timeless artworks. Handmade luxury is born in Florence. Handmade and luxury chandeliers made in Italy.” 

Several catalogues of Banci are available on their website.

Other light companies that produce similar lighting:

Also near Florence, in Mugello FLA Luce produced several lamps in this style. It was the company of Adriano Baccianti. The website is offline since 2016. It is unclear if the company ended business. (www.flaluce.com)

The German Hans Kögl company produces similar lights since 1979.

Massive from Belgium has also produced a range of lamps in this style.

Edward F. Caldwell designed sunburst flush mounts for the White House in the USA in 1902.

These type of lamps are often attributed to the Belgian artist Willy Daro. Willy Daro never made lamps like this. Willy Daro always worked with high quality materials, often combined with minerals, gems and fossils.