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Gaetano Sciolari Cubic Chandelier 

Materials: Geometric lamp made of square chromed metal (iron) beams. Brushed aluminium curved connectors in between the beams. Long chrome rod and round canopy. Some metal parts. Square clear plastic lampshades. 9 Bakelite E14 sockets.

Rod Length: 50 cm / 19.68”

Height: 45 cm / 17.71”

Width: ∅ 45 cm / 17.71”

Cubes: 8 x 8 x 20 cm / 3.14 x 3.14 x 7.87”

Electricity: 9 bulbs E14, 9 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1970s, 1980s, Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: Gaetano Sciolari (1927-1994).

Manufacturer: Sciolari Illuminazione, Rome and Milan, Italy.

Other versions: The Gaetano Sciolari Cubic chandelier was made in several variations and sizes. Also made with glass diffusers. They were also produced as a wall lamps.

Angelo Gaetano Sciolari

Angelo Sciolari graduated with a degree in architecture but wanted to be a filmmaker. This course came to an abrupt end when in 1949 his father suddenly died and he took over the Sciolari Lighting company at the age of 22.

His first designs in the 1950s were Sputnik inspired pendants; of course it was the space age.

In the 1960s he created refined, futuristic and sharp classical style chandeliers. Lines were clean and sculptural and materials such as crystal and ice glass sparkled with a voluptuously luxurious coolness and he started combining brass with chrome.

He led the family business with a passionate vision and within years, he expanded the business and started working with other light companies worldwide.

Gaetano Sciolari designed lamps for Stilnovo and Stilkronen (Italy), Lightolier and Progress Lighting (USA), S.A. Boulanger (Belgium), Helestra and Leola (Germany), Lyfa (Denmark) and some other companies and of course for his own Italian family business; the Sciolari company in Rome and Milan; where all the lighting business at that time was present.

Gaetano Sciolari was the founder and the first president of the trade association of Italian manufacturers of lighting fixtures, the AIDI. The Associazione Italiana di Illuminazione was founded in 1958 and still exists today.

Lamps in the movies

A big Gaetano Sciolari Cubic chandelier appears in the James Bond film Live And Let Die from 1973. Starring Roger Moore, Jane Seymour and the photo below is Yaphet Kotto.

James Bond - Live and Let Die (1973) - Sciolari Cubic Chandelier

James Bond - Live and Let Die (1973) - Sciolari Cubic Chandelier