Artemide Tolomeo wall lamp – 1992 catalogue
Table & clamp lamps – 1992 catalogue
Floor and reading lamp – 1992 catalogue
Links (external links open in a new window)
The Artemide Tolomeo wall lamp on the Artemide website
Michele De Lucchi biography – Artemide website
iF Design Awards for Michele De Luccchi
Giancarlo Fassina biography – Artemide website
Skyfall (2012) film – Wikipedia
Don’t Look Up (2021) film – Wikipedia
Don’t Look Up (2021) film – IMDb
Balthazar (2018 – 2019) TV series – Wikipedia
Balthazar (2018 – 2019) TV series – IMDb
Vintageinfo
1976 Artemide studioA Catalogue
Artemide Tolomeo Wall Lamp
Materials: Base and cantilevered arms in grey polished aluminium. Round silver metallic conical lampshade in anodised aluminium. Some metal and plastic parts. Bakelite E14 socket.
Max Height: 131 cm / 51.57”
Max Width: 126 cm / 49.60”
Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.
Period: 1980s until now.
Designer: Giancarlo Fassina & Michele de Lucchi.
Manufacturer: Artemide, Pregnana Milanese, Milan, Italy.
Other versions: The Artemide Tolomeo wall lamp exists in many versions, as you can see. Several floor, table and wall lamps were made. In 2003 a version with a diffuser in parchment paper or in silk satin fabric on a plastic frame was designed.
The Artemide Tolomeo lamp was awarded with the Compasso d’oro prize in 1989.
Michele De Lucchi
Michele De Lucchi was born on 8 November 1951 in Ferrara, Italy. He graduated in architecture in Florence. He was a prominent figure in movements such as his group Cavart, were he was the driving force, Studio Alchimia and Memphis during the period of radical and experimental architecture in the late 70’s, early 80’s.
Michele de Lucchi designed lamps and furniture for Alessi, Alias, Artemide, De Castelli, Hermès, Unifor and Vitra. For Artemide he designed many lamps: the Castore, Dioscure, Noto, Led Net line, Megara, Logico, Ipno, Fata and of course the large Tolomeo range.
During his career her received numerous awards for his designs. He is the founder of Amdl Circle, the centre of a like-minded group of designers, architects and explorers.
Giancarlo Fassina
Giancarlo Fassina was born in 1935 in Milan, Italy. He obtained a degree in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano. He was also active in the radical and experimental architecture movements of the late 70’s, early 80’s.
In 1970 Giancarlo Fassina joined the Italian lighting company Artemide. He designed many lamps for the firm. Among others the Aggregato, Dinarco, Fato, Serapide, Tebe and Tolomeo.
Giancarlo Fassina also designed the Birzì lamp for Luceplan, together with Carlo Forcolini.
Artemide
The Artemide Group is based in Pregnana Milanese, Italy. The company is best known for the Tizio desk lamp designed by Richard Sapper in 1972. The company is also famous for this Tolomeo desk lamp, designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 1986. Artemide produced many other beautiful lights en furniture during all those the years.
Designers who have collaborated with Artemide include Mario Botta, Sir Norman Foster, Ettore Sottsass, Enzo Mari, Neil Poulton, Karim Rashid, Giò Ponti, Ernesto Gismondi, De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi, Vico Magistretti and many others.
Artemide Tolomeo Lamp – Interview with Michele De Lucchi
Lamps in the movies!
An Artemide Tolomeo Micro table lamp was used as a prop in the 2012 spy film Skyfall. It is the twenty-third James Bond movie. Starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes.
An Artemide Tolomeo Basculante table lamp was used as a prop in the 2012 spy film Skyfall. It is the twenty-third James Bond movie. Starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem and Judi Dench.
An Artemide Tolomeo table lamp was used as a prop in the 2021 American satirical science fiction film Don’t Look Up. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Rob Morgan.
An Artemide Tolomeo Terra floor lamp was used as a prop in the 2019 French crime-thriller drama television series Balthazar. Here in episode 3, series 2. Starring Tomer Sisley, Yannig Samot and Hélène de Fougerolles.
Many thanks to Lluís from Eclectique Vintage for the photos and the enthusiasm. And many thanks to Artemide.