Amazing, Italian 'Saturn Ring' Plexiglass Light Sculpture, 1968-1973, Very Rare

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Amazing, Italian 'Saturn Ring' Plexiglass Light Sculpture, 1968-1973, Very Rare

About the Item

Amazing and super rare Italian plexiglass light sculpture from the classic 1965-73 period of radical, Avant Garde Italian design in the style of the utopian radical, Italian architect's groups of the period such as Lapo Binazzi's 'UFO', 'Gruppo 65', 'Superstudio','Archizoom', 'Gruppo Strum' etc. The amazing form is made of heat moulded, white plexiglass, with a central ,fluorescent red, plexiglass 'saturn' ring which glows in a wonderfully evocative manner when its inner edge catches the light emitted from the hidden light source. The light source is an internal circular fluorescent tube; the only form of electrical light source, pre LED, that was cool enough to allow for a fully encapsulated plexiglass sculptural form without the requirement for additional cooling slots. There is a small circular steel ring at the top of the lamp which unscrews to separate the two halves of the lamp allowing access to the fluorescent tube and internal electrics. This wonderful lamp still retains its original switch and plug and importantly also its original internal electrics including the original period Italian 'AROS' metal ballast unit which helps us to further narrow the date of production down to circa 1968-1973. Pleae see image 4. I have had a passion for Italian and French light sculptures since the early 1990s and this is only the second time I have ever seen this particular model. I know of one other serious lighting collector who has another example in his collection who has also not been able to identify the designer but many years prior to him acquiring it, he remembered seeing an original advert in an Italian design periodical circa 1970 where this design was photographed in a huge quarry appearing as if an alien spaceship had just landed. I have also consulted one of the world's expert on Italian Avant Garde lighting from this highly creative period, Fulvio Ferrari, who also did not know the designer but confirmed that in his opinion it was something very interesting indeed and of good quality too. This is clearly a very rare piece of Avant Garde lighting and clearly produced in very small numbers, probably by a small Italian artisan atelier on a, produce to order, scale which was very common during this exciting period, a similar example would be the wonderful and highly desirable plexiglass and steel light sculptures that were produced in tiny numbers by a group of roman artisans for Mario Vento's 'new lamp' project. A rare opportunity to acquire a stunning piece from this particularly creative and free thinking period in design history.

Dimensions:
Height: 11.03 in (28 cm)Diameter: 19.69 in (50 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Plexiglass,Steel,Molded
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1968-1973
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Lovely original and fully working condition. There are no cracks or chips/losses to the plexiglass elements.Original wiring, switch,plug and internal electrics including authentic period metal 'AROS' fluorescent ballast unit for the lighting tube.
Seller Location:
bergen op zoom, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU93013364582