Gaetano Sciolari Olimpic Chandelier

Materials: Geometric chandelier made of brass tubes and curved brass rods. Brass chain and canopy. 12 round clear crystal glass chalice lampshades. 12 crystal glass buds. Bakelite E14 sockets.

Chain Length: 40 cm / 15.74”

Height: 57 cm / 22.44”

Width: ∅ 72 cm / 28.34”

Electricity: 12 bulbs E14, 12 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: Angelo Gaetano Sciolari (1927-1994).

Manufacturer: Sciolari, Milan and Rome, Italy.

Other versions: This Gaetano Sciolari Olimpic chandelier exists in a version with 9 bulbs. Probably other versions also exist. This one is model 2711. Designed in the early seventies.

Angelo Gaetano Sciolari

Angelo Gaetano 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 created lights for Stilnovo, Ecolight and Stilkronen (Italy), Lightolier and Progress Lighting (USA), S.A. Boulanger (Belgium), Metalarte (Spain), Helestra and Leola (West 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.

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.