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 Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide
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 Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide
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
$1,313 / 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
$692
H 9.45 in W 24.02 in D 8.86 in
French Riviera Style Shelf in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful Mid-Century French Riviera–style wall shelf entirely made of bamboo, rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This stunning organic piece was likely designed in Italy during the 197...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$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
Abstract Vibrant Wall Tapestry by Junghans, 1960's
Located in London, GB
Colorful hand knotted wool hanging is probably a translation of the work of an artist. This was a time when modern artists work began to work with weavers...
Wool
$3,582Sale Price|20% Off
H 71.86 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Mid Century Wall Unit Cabinet by Nils Jonsson for Troeds
By Nils Jonsson, Troeds Bjarnum 1
Located in Mortsel, BE
Very nice wall cabinet, some wear and tear see pictures please
Wood, Rosewood
$776
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
$26,000
H 108.63 in W 139.75 in D 14 in
Osvaldo Borsani Modular Rosewood Bookcase Wall Unit with Removable Panels
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large modular rosewood bookcase/wall unit by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno (ca. 1960, Italy). Composed of six gold aluminum uprights forming five bays/sections with the five original, re...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
$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
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
$1,194
H 34.26 in W 26.38 in D 2.76 in
Ustensilo Wall Organizer by Dorothee Becker for Ingo Maurer, 1970s
By Dorothee Becker, Ingo Maurer
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
$573Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 20.48 in D 2.76 in
Utensilo II Wall Organizer by Dorothee Maurer Becker for Design M, Germany, 1970
By Ingo Maurer, M Design, Dorothee Maurer-Becker
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
This original 70s Uten.Silo II is a design by Dorothee Maurer Becker. This Utensilo is an old original of the company Design M. It was still produced by the company of her husband, t...
Plastic
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 Artemide, Sergio Mazza
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