Banci Firenze Globe Flush Mount
Materials: Gold “antique” painted metal (iron) European oak leaves (quercus robur) and fern leaves. Big clear glass globe lampshade. Bakelite E27 socket.
Height: 30 cm / 11.82”
Width: ∅ 45 cm / 17.72”
Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.
Period: 1950s, 1990s – Hollywood Regency.
Designer: Studio Banci.
Manufacturer: Banci srl, Via Ponchielli, 27 – 50137 Scandicci (Florence) Italy.
Other versions: This Banci Firenze globe flush mount was produced in several variations. Lighting in this style is still in production.
Banci Firenze
Founded in 1899 by Giuseppe Banci in the historic center 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 1930s and 1940s. 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 lighting since 1979. Many lamps painted with this gold antique paint.
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.