Project year: 1976
Floor Lamps
Commercial code: 4531
Period: 1978 – 1982
45 x 160 cm
2 x E27 – 2 x 60 watt max
Table Lamps
Year of production starting: 1978
Year of production ending: 1992
Commercial code: 4044
Period: 1978 – 1982
45 x 62cm
Commercial code: 4048
Period: 1978 – 1992
37 x 51cm
Commercial code: 4050
Period: 1978 – 1980
45 x 62 cm – with a dimmer
Pendant Lamps
Commercial code: 3076
Period: 1978 – 1982
37 x 23,5 cm
Commercial code: 3077
Period: 1978 – 1982
45 x 29cm
1 x E27 – 100 watt max
iGuzzini Baobab floor lamps (1978 – 1982)
Big Baobab table lamp 4044
The same idea was also used for a special edition of the Brumbry table lamp.
Lamps in the movies
Two white iGuzzini Baobab floor lamps were used as a prop in the 2012 American fantasy horror comedy film Dark Shadows by Tim Burton. Starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter and Eva Green.
But there is something strange, except for the movie itself. These lamps have a base such as the Harvey Guzzini Flash. The left one has a flattened top, but the clear acrylic rim is unmistakably a Baobab lampshade. Also a Flash appears in the movie, you can find it over here.
iGuzzini Baobab Floor Lamp
Materials: White painted weighted metal half round globe base. Long chromed metal (iron) rod. White and translucent acrylic mushroom lampshade. 2 white painted Bakelite E27 sockets.
Height: 160 cm / 62.99”
Width: ∅ 45 cm / 17.71”
Base: ∅ 34 cm / 13.38”
Electricity: 2 bulbs E27, 2 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, no specific one is preferred. But a white opal or frosted bulb gives the best result.
Period: 1970s, 1980s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: The design team of iGuzzini.
Manufacturer: iGuzzini illuminazione S.p.A via Mariano Guzzini, 37. 62019, Recanati, Italy.
Other versions: This iGuzzini Baobab floor lamp also exists in black and ochre. Two table lamps (small and big) and a ceiling lamp also exists. In all probability also produced in several other colours. A version was spotted on 1stDibs with a brass base, rod and screw on top. It is not original, it is a so called “Frankenstein” lamp.
iGuzzini illuminazione
iGuzzini illuminazione was established in June 1958 by Raimondo Guzzini (born 1928) under the name Harvey. Harvey is derived from the famous movie ‘Harvey’ with James Stuart and the invisible rabbit Harvey from 1950.
The initial production of enamelled copper objects was supplemented by decorative luminaires.
In the early sixties it became a family business when his 5 brothers joined the company. In 1962 Luigi Massoni was attracted to lead the design team. He worked for Fratelli Guzzini and Harvey Guzzini until 1976. Luigi Massoni designed many iconic lamps in that period.
The company still exists and changed the name in 1974 into iGuzzini and in 1981 to iGuzzini illuminazione.
MEBLO
Harvey Guzzini lamps were also sold under the brand name MEBLO. MEBLO is a Slovenian (Yugoslavia) company.
The MEBLO factory was founded in 1948 when Gorizia craftsmen joined forces and founded the Furniture Factory, later named Edvard Kardelj (communist leader and national hero of World War II). In 1950 the name changed in MEBLO.
At first, they made exclusive furniture, which was later supplemented with upholstered furniture, lighting, plastic and mattresses.
MEBLO also produced plastic chairs and tables, plasticised metal garden tables and chairs, plastic chairs for sports halls, plastic flower beds, mirrors and plastic bathroom equipment (design by Luigi Massoni), wooden set of club tables, shelves, buffet carts and mirrors (design by Gianfranco Frattini).
The last lamps were produced around 1990, 1991 until the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Today the company is named MebloJOGI. It only produces mattresses for beds.
Sijaj Hrastnik
Before Meblo started to produce Harvey Guzzini lamps, Sijaj Hrastnik, another Slovenian company sold them in Yugoslavia.
Acrylic: often named by its commercial name: Perspex, Plexiglas, Crylux, Acrylite, Lucite, is a thermoplastic.
iGuzzini Baobab floor lamp
Ochre version, here in bad condition, somewhere in Italy in 2016.
The design of the white and transparent acrylic lampshade was also used for the “Bella di notte” lamp and the “Kuala” lamp of Franco Bresciani.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Many thanks to Dragoslav of Design70Shop for the all the help. You can find his shop on Etsy over here.
Logo used between 1959 and 1964. Inspired by the 1950 film “Harvey“, starring James Stewart.
Logo used between 1965 and 1977. This logo was designed by Luigi Massoni.
The architect Massoni was invited to work with Harvey as the company’s art director, a move that gave further impetus to the idea of collaborating with designers.
Between 1967 and 1971, Ennio Lucini designed the catalogue tor the DH brand, under which lamps for home lighting were marketed.
Logo used from 1974 until today, designed by Advema G&R Associati. This logo embodied the company’s entire output, which was marketed under other brands such as DH, Doma and Atelier.
It was during this period that the company began making technical products. Spot and flood lights in particular.