Artemide is an iconic firm in the design world. The mid-century Italian company is one of the best known lighting manufacturers and its award-winning fixtures are held in museum collections everywhere. Vintage Artemide table lamps, pendants, ceiling lamps and other lighting represent a thoughtful merge between functionalism and eye-catching design.
Artemide, which is based in Pregnana, was founded by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1959. During that year, Mazza created the first table lamp for the manufacturer — a modernist work in glass, marble and metal that he called the Alfa. Gismondi, who studied aeronautical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan and missile engineering at Rome’s Professional School of Engineering, applied his knowledge of cutting edge technology and materials such as fiberglass resin to Artemide’s designs for lighting and furniture.
In 1967, Artemide won Italy’s Compasso d'Oro design award for its Eclisse table lamp, which was designed by Vico Magistretti two years earlier. Other award-winning fixtures include the Tizio table lamp designed by Richard Sapper and the Tolomeo table lamp.
Designed by Michele de Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the Tolomeo featured the patented George Carwardine mechanism used in the original Anglepoise lamp. De Lucchi would later be recruited to join visionary postmodern design collective the Memphis Group. Artemide’s Gismondi purchased the brand after founder Ettore Sottsass dismantled the collective in 1988, and it was bought by Alberto Bianchi Albrici in 1996.
Artemide’s list of design, innovation, sustainability and other industry awards is long and distinguished. The firm continues to actively collaborate with internationally revered designers and seek out new talent through workshops with design schools. The company’s deeply held values — energy-saving lighting, sustainable design and ethically sourced materials — characterize its current offerings, and Artemide furniture and lighting can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and other institutions.
On 1stDibs, find Artemide tables, seating, floor lamps, chandeliers and more.
Dodona Library by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Ernesto Gismondi
Located in Roma, IT
Dodona Library is an original vintage design work realized in the 1970s by the Italian designer Ernesto Gismondi (Sanremo, 1931 - Milan, 2020). Original plastics materials. Created...
Plastic
Dodona 300 bookcase by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide - Italy - 70's.
By Artemide, Ernesto Gismondi
Located in Padova, IT
Modular bookcase with adjustable shelves. Plastic material. The legendary Italian company Artemide was founded in the province of Milan in 1959 by the designer and engineer Ernesto Gismondi, born in Sanremo in 1931, and by the designer Sergio Mazza, born in Milan in 1931. designing the Alfa Lamp...
Plastic
Four Wall Applique by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Italy, 1960
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Roma, IT
Four wall applique with metal structure and 'Sigma' model glass lampshade. Prod. Artemide, Italy, ca. 1960, designed by Sergio Mazza. 12 x 26 x 26cm. Good conditions.
Metal
$1,292 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 31.5 in
Marcello Siard for Kartell Set of 6 Black Plastic Shelves, Italy 1970s
By Marcello Siard, Kartell
Located in Naples, IT
Set of six shelves with asymmetrical plastic profile in black, designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in the 1970s, are of two sizes 4 small (cm.35x44x30) and two large (cm. 35x80x30...
Plastic
1970s Danish Modern Teardrop Bentwood Wall Shelf Curios, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1970s Danish modern teardrop bentwood hanging curio shelves. A coordinating pair in two sizes with a double bentwood frame topped with a rope hoop hanger and secured with cop...
Rope, Bentwood
$764
H 14.77 in W 7.49 in D 1.19 in
Ceramic Wall Plaque by Ester Wallin for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1960s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic wall plaque, made by Ester Wallin for Upsala Ekeby in the end of 1960s. Depicting a middle eastern male character in sharply defined face p...
Ceramic
$380 / set
H 5 in W 14 in D 1 in
Four Flying Swallows Birds wood Mid Century Wall Decoration Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four beautiful vintage wooden flying swallows wall decorations. Each would make a beautiful ornament on a wall. They are with some patina and are an excellent craftsmanship. M...
Nutwood
$5,900
H 95.5 in W 65.5 in D 21 in
Mid Century Omni Wood Modular Wall Unit Shelving & Bookcase by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Omni wall unit shelving system designed by George Nelson is circa 1960. This ingenious shelving system features spring-loaded floor to ceiling aluminu...
Metal, Aluminum
$1,175
H 34.26 in W 26.38 in D 2.76 in
Ustensilo Wall Organizer by Dorothee Becker for Ingo Maurer, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, Dorothee Becker
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this Design and color Designer - Dorothee Becker Maurer Producer - Design M Model - Ustensilo Wall Organizer Design Period 1970s Materials - Plastic Col...
Plastic
$8,815
H 78.15 in W 98.82 in D 11.82 in
20th Century, Italian Production Wall Bookcase with adjustable shelves, 60s
By Midcentury Italian school
Located in Turin, Turin
Wall Bookcase composed of 3 bays with height-adjustable shelves. Designed and produced in Italy in the 60 s. It is realized in lacquered metal structure with brass bases and 14 woo...
Metal, Brass
1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1970s sculptural rattan & glass etagere The case with continuous book-matched rattan The upper section measures 24.5" W x 43" H, fitted with two 2...
Rattan, Glass
Geraldo De Barros, Console, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in High Point, NC
A small wall-mounted console or wall shelf designed by Geraldo De Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.7...
Wood
Swedish Designer, Wall Shelf, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A small wall shelf designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 13.375"H x 22.3"W x 3.125"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Pine
Geraldo De Barros, Shelf, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in High Point, NC
A small wall shelf or wall-mounted console table designed by Geraldo De Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches)...
Wood
Wall Mounted Secretary Desk Cabinet by Charles Webb, Circa 1970s
By Charles Webb
Located in Peabody, MA
A wall mounted secretary desk, commissioned from the Cambridge, MA maker Charles Webb in the late 1970s. Fashioned in a glowing maple, it features a drop down writing surface support...
Maple
Sigma Ceiling Lights by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Italy, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Roma, IT
Sergio Mazza for Artemide, Pair of large "Sigma" ceiling lights, 1960s. Structure in nickel-plated brass, diffuser in molded glass. diameter 36 cm (no electrical system). Good con...
Brass