Angelo Lelii’s energetic and imaginative floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers often reflected his singular personality — whimsical but practical. He is responsible for some of the most delightfully eye-pleasing but functional works in the history of Italian mid-century modern lighting design.
Lelii was born Paolo Angelo Lelii in the seaport town of Ancona and moved to Milan when he was quite young. Not much is known about his early life — online resources frequently have his last name misspelled “Lelli” — except that he studied at the Superior Institute of Industrial Art in nearby Monza.
While there was no shortage of pioneering work being done in the field of mid-century modern lighting design, Lelii was a visionary whose dream was to create technologically advanced lighting that embodied the simple lines of modern design but would be defined by his own imaginative twists. In 1943, Lelii opened his first workshop in a tiny basement in Monza, under the name Arredoluce. A few years later, he designed the single-light, bent-arm Tris floor lamp. Later that year, he exhibited his Triennale floor lamp at the Milan Triennale VIII and garnered wide acclaim. This iconic, slender lamp features three adjustable arms with enameled aluminum shades.
Lelii’s sculptural fixtures in brass and cast iron appeared in the acclaimed design journal Domus, and he embarked on high-profile collaborations with Italian modernist legends such as Gio Ponti — a giant of architecture and design as well as a founder of Domus — Memphis Group member Ettore Sottsass Jr. and the brothers Castiglioni (formally known as Achille, Pier Giacomo and Livio).
Massive success followed for Arredoluce from the late 1950s and into the 1960s. For Lelii, there was his seminal Stella ceiling lamp, featuring opaque, acid-etched glass globe shades; his minimalist Cobra table lamp, which was one of the world’s first low voltage light fixtures; and his aptly named Eye floor lamp. Lelii continued to oversee design and production at his revolutionary lighting firm until his death in 1979.
Find vintage Angelo Lelii lighting on 1stDibs.
Brass and Glass Low Table by Angelo Lelii
By Angelo Lelii
Located in London, GB
Brass and glass low table by Angelo Lelii The same frame design was used for a magazine rack, Model n°13007, published in "Arredoluce", Catalogue Raisonné, Silvana Editoriale, Mil...
Brass
Pair of Satin Brass and Glass Side Tables by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of 1970s satin brass and glass side tables by Pace Collection. New 1/2”thick glass tops. Dim: 20” diameter 16.25 high.
Brass
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Brass and Glass Tables
By Maison Ramsay, Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Louis XVI style brass and glass tables. This stunning pair of French Maison Bagues inspired Louis XVI style brass two tiered tables, side tables, gueridons or drink ta...
Brass
$4,850 / set
H 19.5 in W 19.69 in D 9.82 in
Pair of French Maison Bagues Attributed Brass and Glass Tables
By Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen, Maison Raphael, Maison Ramsay, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Maison Bagues attributed brass and glass tables. Striking pair of French Maison Bagues attributed brass and glass side tables. This gorgeous versatile pair of Maison Bagues tables...
Brass
Marble and brass coffee table, Angelo Lelii, 1950
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Marble and brass coffee table, Angelo Lelii, 1950
Carrara Marble, Brass
Brass and Glass Drum Side Table
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s polish brass and glass drum side table. Newly professionally polished and new glass top. Measurements: 17.5” high and 19.75” diameter.
Brass
Mid Century Lucite Brass and Glass Side Table
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970s side or end table with beveled edge glass top, clear lucite legs and flat brass plated banding at base and apron. Excellent vintage condition with very little visible wear.
Brass
$839Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.54 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
1960s Louis XVI Style Brass and Marble Square Side Low Table
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Louis XVI style side table with marble-top and brass legs Very good quality marble Very good vintage condition with only very minor marks of use. shipping: 46 / 46 / 42 cm 23...
Marble, Brass
Sea Surface Low Table by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Sea surface low table by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 130 x D 130 x H 30 cm. Materials: Poplar solid wood, veneer. This table is the pilot piece of the series, conceived ...
Wood
$2,100 / item
H 12.6 in Dm 21.66 in
Leme Table, Low, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, Brazilian Granite
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Granite
Flint Table with Leather and Brass by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Flint table with leather and brass by Madheke Dimensions: W 85 x D 85 x H 68.5 cm Materials: Leather, metal, wood The veneer marquetry tabletop...
Metal
Black Caribe Low Table by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Caribe low table by Sebastian Herkner. Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled plastic. Tech...
Steel
French Brass and Glass Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large 1950s French brass and smoked glass lamp table with slatted under tier, 1950. One of two. Ref. C Dimensions: 24 inches (61 cms) wide 24 inches (61 cms) deep 16 inch...
Brass