Gino Sarfatti

Italian, 1912-1985

That a spiky, futuristic chandelier named “Sputnik,” which was highly suggestive of the Soviet satellite of the same name, designed by an Italian engineer could predate the space age and the satellite’s launch by a few decades is the stuff of legend. But in 1939, Venetian-born Gino Sarfatti channeled his obsession with light and expert engineering skills into a design so bold it predicted the future. He would go on to design around 700 lighting products in his lifetime — each table lamp, wall light, pendant and chandelier superb and unorthodox in shape.

Sarfatti’s singular focus on creating opulent lighting designs that were rational in their use of resources makes him one of the most innovative lighting designers in history. He was studying to be an aeronautical engineer at the University of Genoa when his family’s financial troubles led him to drop out and move to Milan to help. During this time, he built a lamp for a friend using a coffee machine’s electric components and a glass vase. This exercise sparked his fascination with lighting, and he went on to found Arteluce in 1939. What followed was a period of working with skilled artisans and tinkering with materials instead of sketching. The self-taught designer soon established himself as a creator of provocative, sculptural luxury lighting. Through the company, he collaborated with some of the 20th century’s most influential designers, such as Vittoriano Viganò, who worked on Arteluce lighting between 1946 and 1960. In the 1950s and ’70s, Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Ico Parisi and Massimo Vignelli all contributed designs.

Sarfatti used resources mindfully and injected functionality into everything he designed. His light fixtures were lightweight, easy to take apart and reassemble and could be affordably repaired. This marriage of utilitarianism and glamour lent Sarfatti’s designs a clean, minimal yet arresting splendor, based on their graphical forms and construction.

After World War II, Sarfatti embraced new wiring technologies and materials like plexiglass, such as his 1972 project with Carlo Mollino that filled the Teatro Regio in Turin with hundreds of plexiglass pipes. In 1973, Sarfatti sold Arteluce to FLOS. His foresight, invention and fearlessness as a designer are revered to this day.

Find a collection of vintage Gino Sarfatti lighting now on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$3,031

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Gino Sarfatti

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Gino Sarfatti Chandelier Model 2097

Gino Sarfatti Floor Lamp Model 1025

Sputnik Chandelier

Gino Sarfatti Le Sfere Model 2042/6 Ceiling Light, Opaline Glass

$4,356Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 11.03 in W 28.75 in D 25.99 in

Gino Sarfatti Le Sfere Model 2042/6 Ceiling Light, Opaline Glass

By Astep, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Model 2042/6 Design by Gino Sarfatti With Le Sfere Plafone, Model 2042/6 from 1963, another of Gino Sarfatti’s beautiful interpretations of the luminous sphere is reintroduced. The r...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Steel

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce "SP15" Wall Lamp, Italy 1960s

$696

H 3.15 in Dm 3.94 in

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce "SP15" Wall Lamp, Italy 1960s

By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Naples, IT

Wall lamp model SP15, designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in Italy in the 1950s/1960s. It is made of polished chrome-plated metal and has a very solid structure and works both ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal

Modell 2133 Ceiling Lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, 1972

$1,161

H 39.38 in Dm 24.41 in

Modell 2133 Ceiling Lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, 1972

By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Hagenbach, DE

This stunning Model 2133 pendant light duo by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce (1972). It is a masterful study in minimalist design—a fluted white lacquered aluminum disc, suspended effort...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce '516' Table Lamps

$55,000 / set

H 17.72 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce '516' Table Lamps

By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamps, model ‘516’, brass, marble, enameled aluminum, Italy, 1948 These desk lamps, model 516, is designed by the influential designer in the field...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Marble, Aluminum, Brass

Gino Sarfatti Murano Glass Globe Pendant Lamp, Italy, 1960s

$2,643

H 43.31 in Dm 27.56 in

Gino Sarfatti Murano Glass Globe Pendant Lamp, Italy, 1960s

By Gino Sarfatti

Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI

Amazing chandelier by Gino Sarfatti made in Italy in the 1960s. Made out of a metal structure holding 3 milk glass globes. Ball diameter 30 cm. Gives a beautiful diffuse light emission. The height of the chandelier can be adjusted from 77 cm to 110 cm with a special adjustment. Width: 70 centimeters. Very good vintage condition. Chrome has damage. Requires three E27 bulbs. The wiring is suitable for all countries in the world. Gino Sarfatti played a significant role in the history of industrial design in Italy. Italian engineer Gino Sarfatti started the Arteluce Company in 1939 and would go on to design over 700 lighting products—floor lamps, chandeliers, spotlights, and other light fittings—between the mid-1930s and early 1970s. His work at Arteluce effectively shaped the modern architectural movement in Italy and supported many of the mid-century designers including Franco Albini, Gianfranco Frattini, Sergio Asti, and Ico Parisi. Through his exploration and experimentation with new materials like Plexiglas, diverse production methodologies and techniques as well as light sources, such as halogen bulbs, Sarfatti was a true innovator of Italian lighting and design. The elegance chandelier...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal

1950s Gino Sarfatti 'Tricolore' grey table lamp for Arteluce

$5,500

H 11 in Dm 12.25 in

1950s Gino Sarfatti 'Tricolore' grey table lamp for Arteluce

By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Glendale, CA

1950s Gino Sarfatti 'Tricolore' grey table lamp for Arteluce. A striking yet minimalistic table lamp designed by Gino Sarfatti, circa 1952. This extremely rare and iconic design is...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Brass, Metal

Large Gino Sarfatti 30 Armed Chrome Chandelier Model 2097 Made by Flos, 1980s

$1,973

H 27.96 in W 35.04 in D 35.04 in

Large Gino Sarfatti 30 Armed Chrome Chandelier Model 2097 Made by Flos, 1980s

By Flos, Gino Sarfatti

Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg

Large Gino Sarfatti (1912-1984) chandelier model 2097 with 30 arms and bulbs designed in 1958. It's made of metal with chrome and made by Flos in the 1980s. This chandelier, with it...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Gino Sarfatti 2097 30-Bulb Chrome Chandelier for Flos

$1,575Sale Price|30% Off

H 28 in W 35 in D 35 in

Gino Sarfatti 2097 30-Bulb Chrome Chandelier for Flos

By Gino Sarfatti, Flos

Located in Miami, FL

Thirty incandescent bulb 2097 chandelier originally designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1958 for Flos. This piece was produced circa 1990s and maintains the Flos label. The 2097 Chandelie...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Chrome

Browse all Furniture from Gino Sarfatti

Shop Now

Gino Sarfatti Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$4,222	Floor Lamps	Steel, Glass, Marble	1969
2026	$4,222	Floor Lamps	Steel, Glass, Marble	1969
2026	$4,555	Floor Lamps	Opaline Glass, Chrome, Carrara Marble	1969
2026	$3,440	Wall Lights and Sconces	Aluminum, Brass	circa 1940s
2026	$1,183	Wall Lights and Sconces	Metal	1960
2026	$1,982	Chandeliers and Pendants	Brass	2026
2026	$2,610	Chandeliers and Pendants	Plexiglass, Aluminum	Contemporary
2026	$4,800	Chandeliers and Pendants	Chrome, Glass, Metal	1980-1989
2026	$1,900	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Plastic	1960s
2026	$4,122	Flush Mount	Metal, Glass	1960
2026	$1,693	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Glass	Contemporary
2026	$12,972	Chandeliers and Pendants	Aluminum, Opaline Glass	1960s
2026	$1,911	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Glass	Contemporary
2026	$756	Chandeliers and Pendants, Wall Lights and Sconces	Metal, Aluminum, Brass	2018
2026	$2,684	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal, Aluminum, Brass	2018
2026	$620	Chandeliers and Pendants, Wall Lights and Sconces	Metal, Aluminum, Brass	2018
2026	$4,122	More Lighting, Table Lamps	Brass, Steel	1950s
2026	$806	Wall Lights and Sconces	Brass, Glass	Contemporary
2026	$3,200	Chandeliers and Pendants	Aluminum, Brass	Contemporary
2026	$1,160	Flush Mount, Wall Lights and Sconces	Metal, Brass	1950s

$3,031

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$456-$16,115

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Gino Sarfatti

Joe Colombo

Shop All Joe Colombo

Arteluce

Shop All Arteluce

Gaetano Sciolari

Shop All Gaetano Sciolari

Vico Magistretti

Shop All Vico Magistretti

Angelo Mangiarotti

Shop All Angelo Mangiarotti

Carlo Nason

Shop All Carlo Nason

Flos

Shop All Flos

Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Shop All Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Luigi Caccia Dominioni

Shop All Luigi Caccia Dominioni

More Gino Sarfatti Designs

Gino Sarfatti Chandelier Model 2097

Average Price

$3,799

Number Available

Gino Sarfatti Chandelier Model 2097

By Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Brass

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Gino Sarfatti Floor Lamp Model 1025

Average Price

$8,945

Number Available

Gino Sarfatti Floor Lamp Model 1025

By Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Metal, Brass, Glass, Murano Glass

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Sputnik Chandelier

Average Price

$13,988

Number Available

Sputnik Chandelier

By Gino Sarfatti

Materials

Brass, Metal

Styles

Mid Century Modern

It is fitting that Gino Sarfatti (1912–85) had his sights set on the skies for his ornate and influential Sputnik chandelier. The Venice-born designer and industrialist had been pursuing an aeronautics degree at the University of Genoa when his father encountered financial troubles and relocated the family to Milan, where Sarfatti inadvertently created his first lighting fixture. After he built a lamp for a friend using a glass vase and a coffee machine’s electrical components, Sarfatti soon ...

Shop All

A Tale of Two Sputnik Chandeliers

This pair of iconic 20th-century light fixtures with the same name have two very different backgrounds.

Gino Sarfatti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gino Sarfatti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gino Sarfatti furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 335 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 165 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Gino Sarfatti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Joe Colombo, Carlo Nason, and Arteluce. Prices for Gino Sarfatti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $321 and can go as high as $187,046, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,870.