Lamps in the movies!
Mr. Nobody (2009)
A white version of the Joe Colombo KD 28 Kartell table lamp was used as a prop in the 2009 film Mr. Nobody. A science fiction drama film written and directed by Jaco Van Dormael. Starring Jared Leto, Sarah Polley and Diane Kruger. Many other lamps appear in this film. The lamp on the table is in all probability a Majestic Lamp Company table lamp (USA) from the 1950s.
Deux Moi (2019)
A Joe Colombo KD 29 Kartell table lamp was used as a prop in the French dramatic comedy film Deux Moi (Someone, Somewhere) from 2019. Starring François Civil, Ana Girardot and Camille Cottin.
Paris N’existe Pas (1969)
A white version of the Joe Colombo KD 28 Kartell table lamp was used as a prop in the 1969 film Paris N’existe Pas. The story of an artist who develops the ability to see into the future and the past. His hallucinations increase with time. Featuring French singer Serge Gainsbourg and Richard Leduc as the artist. In this scene together with the Ingo Maurer ML 32 table lamp. You can find it over here.
Hibernatus (1969)
A white Kartell KD 29 Kartell table lamp was used as a prop in the 1969 French comedy film Hibernatus. Starring Louis de Funès, Michael Lonsdale and Claude Gensac.
Un Homme À La Hauteur (2016)
A black version of the Joe Colombo KD 28 table lamp was used a s a prop in the 2016 French comedy film Un Homme À La Hauteur (Up for Love). The film is a remake of the 2013 Argentine film Corazón de León. Also in the room an AJ floor lamp designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1960 and produced by Louis Poulsen. A Serge Mouille wall lamp is also present.
Huizenjagers (2017)
A red Kartell KD 29 Kartell table lamp appears in the Belgian TV-series “Huizenjagers” (House hunters). This series is broadcast on Vier (4) since 2017. Other lamps in this picture: the Panthella floor lamp of Verner Panton and the Harvey Guzzini Clan designed by Studio 6G. Every season several lamps appear in this series. You can find them here.
Joe Colombo KD 28 Kartell Table Lamp
Materials: Red round ABS plastic base. White oval globe lampshade made of 2 ABS plastic shells. Brass rod. Bakelite E14 socket.
Height: 24 cm / 9.44”
Width: ∅ 24 cm / 9.44”
Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, but preferably a white/opaque bulb.
Period: 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: Joe Colombo, born Cesare Colombo, Milan Italy (30 July 1930 – 30 July 1971).
Manufacturer: Kartell, Milan, Italy.
Other versions: This Joe Colombo KD 28 Kartell table lamp exists in many colours. The bigger version KD 29 is a desk lamp with a tray, as you can see below. The KD 27 is the same lamps as the KD 28. The KD 27 is chrome or brass coloured, the KD 28 all the others. Apparently, yellow, lime green and purple were only sold in Australia.
The table lamp KD 27 (and the KD 29, a larger model) is designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell in 1967. This light is stackable and sold as table or floor lamp. Made from 1967 until 1981. Early versions are made from a different kind of plastic and have the bulb and socket in the middle.
Also AB Husqvarna Borstfabrik sold these lamps in Sweden. And probably also some other companies around the globe.
Joe Cesare Colombo
Joe Colombo was born in 1930 in Milan, Italy and went to school at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera), where he studied painting and sculpture. Until 1954 he studied Architecture at Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan).
A year later, in 1955 Colombo joined the Art Concept Group, and gave up his painting to promote his design career.
Colombo had to take over the family company in 1959, which produced electric appliances. He started to experiment with new construction and production technologies and in 1962 Colombo opened his own interior design and architecture projects.
Joe Colombo designed products for Alessi, Bieffe, Boffi, Flexform, Oluce and of course Kartell.
One of his most famous lamps is the Topo. Made as a floor lamp, clamp lamp, desk lamp and table lamp and produced by Stilnovo in the 1970s.
Joe Colombo died in 1971 on his birthday. He was only 41 years old.
Kartell
Kartell is an Italian company that produces plastic contemporary furniture. The company, head-quartered in Milan, began manufacturing auto-mobile accessories in 1949. It expanded into home furnishings in 1963. It was founded by Italian chemical engineer Giulio Castelli (1920 – 2006) and his wife and architect Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1918 – 2006). Kartell became well-known due to the work of design’s by her hand.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Joe Colombo biography – Wikipedia
Polytechnic University of Milan – Wikipedia
Mr. Nobody, the film from 2009 – Wikipedia
Paris N’existe Pas (1969) – Wikipedia
Paris N’existe Pas (1969) – IMDb
Un Homme À La Hauteur (2016) – Wikipedia
Un Homme À La Hauteur (2016) – IMDB
Hibernatus (1969) film – Wikipedia
Deux Moi (2019) film – Wikipedia
Huizenjagers (house hunters) on the website of Vier
Episode with a Kartell 29 table lamp in Huizenjagers
Vintageinfo
Achille Castiglioni KD7 pendant lamp
Joe Colombo lamps in the Kartell Museum
The museum collection consist of more than 8,000 objects, 5,000 designs and 15,000 photographs. Kartell Museo is housed in the Kartell factory in Noviglio, near Milan, the company’s general headquarters since 1967.
Take the virtual tour, click here.
Joe Colombo KD 28 Kartell table lamp, yellow version
Many thanks to Tinneke for the photo of the yellow lamp.