Milanese lighting designer Bruno Gatta is best known for having founded a legendary postwar lighting manufacturer that produced some of the most innovative and inspiring fixtures of the 20th century during its short lifespan. The Italian company Stilnovo stayed true to its roots by making everything within the country and enlisting a slew of notable designers from the region to create pieces, such as Ettore Sottsass, Antonio Macchi and Joe Colombo.
Though Gatta founded Stilnovo way back in 1946, it is still one of the most instantly recognizable names in lighting. Like many European creatives designing furniture and decor in the wake of World War II, Gatta — an alum of visionary electronics maker Olivetti — leaned toward the new wave of mass-market and streamlined styles. In fact, Stilnovo loosely translates to “new style” in Italian, and vintage Stilnovo chandeliers, floor lamps and other lighting have endured as a practical choice for those looking to bring expressive and forward-thinking design into their homes.
Soon after Stilnovo was established, Gatta’s lighting fixtures were applauded throughout Europe for their novel industrial materials as well as their unique yet functional shapes. Italy during the mid-20th century was completely revolutionary, and Gatta and Stilnovo’s head designer, Angelo Gaetano Sciolari, helped shape the era.
When the 1960s arrived, Stilnovo was experiencing such a boom that the company opened a new production plant in Lainate. One of the brand’s most famous pieces, Giovanni Luigi Gorgoni’s quirky 1965 Buonanotte spherical table lamp, became a best seller.
Gatta partnered with some of the most well-known names in design, including Sottsass, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Colombo and Gae Aulenti. Sottsass’s pieces for Stilnovo, including the 1977 Valigia four-legged table lamp, the 1968 Lampros chandelier and Manifesto ceiling light, and the Castiglionis’ 1957 Saliscendi pendant light fixtures are some of the brand’s most recognizable to date. In 1978, De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi designed the Fante lamp with an adjustable reflector that playfully recalls a broad-brimmed hat.
Stilnovo’s designs, including Danilo and Corrado Aroldi’s flexible Periscope table lamp, were featured in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art. While Stilnovo continued to operate with new designer collaborations after Gatta’s death, it closed its doors in 1988.
Italian art director Massimo Anselmi acquired the company in 2012 and rereleased several of Stilnovo’s most celebrated pieces. Then in 2019, lighting giant Linea Light Group purchased Stilnovo and relaunched its classic designs with contemporary touches like LED lighting systems.
Find vintage Bruno Gatta chandeliers, wall lights, table lamps and other fixtures on 1stDibs.
Stilnovo Bruno Gatta Floor Lamp Opaline Glass Brass Marble, Italy 1950
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Vienna, AT
Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo floor lamp, Italy 1950 (15.35 × 13.39 × 71.26 in) Early vintage original floor lamp with 2 large opal glass shades designed by Bruno Gatta produced for Stil...
Marble, Brass
$6,000 / set
Pair of Sconces by Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 1950s wall sconces by Stilnovo, echoing the work of Bruno Gatta, reflects the refined balance of form and function characteristic of Mid-Century Modern Italian lighting....
Brass
Stilnovo sculptural wall lamp made in Italy 1950
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This very rare and beautifully made wall lamp, designed by Bruno Gatta and manufactured by Stilnovo Italy around 1950, is an exquisite example of mid-century modern lighting. Finishe...
Aluminum
$8,658Sale Price|20% Off
Stilnovo Chandelier by Bruno Gatta, Italy 1959
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Stilnovo Model: 1088 Chandelier by Bruno Gatta, Italy 1959
Metal, Brass
Set of 2 Wall Lights by Stilnovo (marked) in Metal and Brass, Italy, 1960's
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of two wall lamps by Stilnovo, designed by its founder Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1950s. Stilnovo was one of the most influential Italian lighting companies of the postwar period. Found...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Model 232 Wall or Ceiling Lights by Bruno Gatta, 1962
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Model 232 wall or ceiling lights. Design by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo. Striking Italian design from the 1960s. Original white metal sha...
Metal
$21,645Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-century modern brass floor lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Bruno Gatta
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Extremely Rare First Edition Floor Lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, 1950s This is an exceptionally rare, first-edition model of the iconic Stilnovo floor lamp, designed by Bruno Ga...
Brass, Iron
Italian chandelier by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo 1960
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Italian chandelier by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, central stem in gilded brass with 2 black-lacquered aluminum rings and frosted glass. Italy circa 1960. Height 92 cm - 36,22 po Width...
Aluminum, Brass
1960s Round Black Metal and Opaline Glass Ceiling Lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilno
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Round Black Metal and Opaline Glass Ceiling Lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo A quintessentially 1960s Italian design executed in opaline glass, black painted metal with patina...
Metal, Brass
Coppia Di Lampade Stilnovo Designer Bruno Gatta, N. 8023 Pubblicate, 1960
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Coppia di Lampade Stilnovo Designer Bruno Gatta, N. 8023 Pubblicate, 1960, in perfette condizioni ,etichetta originale, marmo di Carrara senza sbeccature. valuto anche la vendita si...
Brass
$836Sale Price / set|68% Off
Set of two wall lamps, model 288w by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo 1959
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in The Hague, NL
A beautiful rare set of wall lamps designed by Bruno Gatta, manufactured by Stilnovo in Italy in 1959.This lamp is made of a high quality warmwhite lacquered metal ring, holding a bl...
Metal
Pair of Italian Wall Lights Model 2085 by Stilnovo, 1950
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of articulate Italian wall lights Model 2085 by Bruno Gatta, manufactured by Stilnovo, 1950s, with red enameled, perforated shades on swivel brass arms, individual on/...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Mod. 2078 Appliques by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy, c.1959
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in London, GB
An original pair of Mod. 2078 brass and opaline glass wall lights designed by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy, c.1959. This beautiful pair of appliques feature Stilnovo's classic dou...
Brass
Stilnovo standard floor lamp Bruno Gatta Italy 1951
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This refined minimalistic floor lamp, designed by Bruno Gatta and produced by Stilnovo in Italy during the 1950s, embodies a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity. Standing gracef...
Marble, Brass
Stilnovo 232 wall lamps by Bruno Gatta Italy 1954 black
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Modern and minimalistic pair of 'Model 232' wall lamps designed by Bruno Gatta and manufactured by Stilnovo in Italy in 1954. The striking bowl-shaped shades rest on bended slim blac...
Aluminum
Stilnovo Pendant, Italy circa 1960
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Culver City, CA
Italy, 1960 Stilnovo pendant by Bruno Gatta, model no. 288. Adjustable height. 23.5"dia x 30"h. Ref. L5300
Glass
$2,405 / item
Stilnovo 232 Wall Lamps by Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1954
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice and minimalistic pair of 'Model 232' wall lamps, designed by Bruno Gatta and manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy 1954. The large bowl-shaped shades are supported by a black painted ...
Metal, Aluminum
Chandelier by Italian designer Bruno Gatta - Stilnovo 1950
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chandelier by Italian designer Bruno Gatta. Original edition of Stilnovo, with original label. Gilt brass, matt black aluminum openwork cup, opaline glass. Italy around 1950. Hei...
Aluminum, Brass
Stilnovo Midcentury Mustard Sconce by Bruno Gatta - Italy 1960's
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in New York, NY
Stilnovo spotlight in mustard-lacquered steel by Bruno Gatta. Italy, 1960s. Signature present on the ball joint. Polished and patinated brass base and mechanism. Original wiring. Eur...
Brass, Steel
Bruno Gatta "Model-232 " Wall Light for Stilnovo, 1960s, Italy
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in The Hague, NL
Elegant wall light designed by Bruno Gatta and manufactured for Stilnovo in 1960's Italy. Model - 232. Tested- working. This table light features a black lacquered aluminium sha...
Aluminum, Brass
Set of Two Metal Stilnovo Mod. 232 Sconces Designed By Bruno Gatta, Italy 1962
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Echt, NL
Elegant Model 232 Wall Lamps in very good condition. Designed by Bruno Gatta in 1962. Manufactured by Stilnovo Italy The lamps have a white lacquered metal shade which is attached...
Metal, Brass
An Italian Articulated Standing Floor Lamp c.1970
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A stylish 20th Century Italian articulated standing lamp with three movable brass arms, brass body column and supported by original thick marble base. Original wiring and in working ...
Marble, Brass
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Wall Lamp by BRUNO GATTA & STILNOVO, Italy 1950
By Bruno Gatta
Located in PARIS, FR
A small adjustable wall light, Modernist, from Forme-Libre, wall base in black lacquered metal enhanced with chrome, adjustable lampshade in pale yellow lacquered metal, model No. 28...
Metal
Chromed metal and glass wall lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy 1960's
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This stunning and rare wall lamp is a design by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo from the 1960's. It consists of a chromed ring that has a white glass diffuser in between hold by 3 metal pin...
Chrome, Metal
Set of 4 Wall Lights by Stilnovo (marked) in Metal and Brass, Italy, 1960's
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of four wall lamps by Stilnovo, designed by its founder Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1950s. Stilnovo was one of the most influential Italian lighting companies of the postwar period. Foun...
Metal, Brass
$1,202Sale Price|45% Off
Stilnovo Pendant Lamp
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stilnovo pendant lamp, 1950s-1960s. Featuring a striped opaline body and brass details. new old stock, the brass canopy is new.
Opaline Glass
Stilnovo Wall Light 232 by Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1962
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Stilnovo Wall Light 232 by Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1962 Wall lamp designed by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy, 1960's. The fixture features a red metal shade with a brass arm and an off...
Brass, Metal
Couple Stilnovo Sconces 1950 Metal Black Cromo, 1950, Italy
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Milano, IT
Couple Stilnovo sconces 1950 black metal cromo, Italy.
Metal
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set 3 Italian Modernist Brass Patterned w/Glass Bruno GattaStilnovo Wall Sconces
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1960's Set of 3 Italian Modernist Brass Patterned with Glass Strands Wall Sconces by Bruno Gatta Stilnovo. I found these beauties in Italy.
Metal
232 Wall lamps by Bruno Gatta, 1962
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Athens, Attiki
A pair of 'Model 232' wall lamps by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, Italy 1960s. The large bowl-shaped shades are supported by a black painted metal arm and can also be used as ceiling la...
Metal
Large Lantern by Stilnovo, Brass and Opaline Glass, Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Argelato, BO
Large Brass and Opaline Glass Lantern by Stilnovo, Italy, 1950s
Brass
Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo – Model 232 Wall / Ceiling Lamps, Italy, 1962. Set of 2
By Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo
Located in The Hague, NL
A rare and beautifully preserved set of wall or ceiling lamps, model 232, designed by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo in Italy in 1962. Each lamp features a lacquered metal shade in a war...
Aluminum, Brass
Bruno Gatta, Floor Lamp, Stilnovo, 1950
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Very rare indirect lighting lamp published by Stilnovo House, Italy 1950. Bruno Gatta is the founder of Stilnovo in 1946. White marble base, barrel in matt black lacquered metal enha...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Bruno Gatta Ceiling or wall lamp produced by Stilnovo Italy from the 1950s
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Vigevano, PV
BRUNO CAT Ceiling or wall lamp painted brass. Bibliographies Stilnovo lighting fixtures catalogue, page 38. 1950s.
Brass
Stilnovo elegant three-light chandelier in brass by Bruno Gatta
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2751 Bruno Gatta Elegant three-light chandelier in brass with opaline glass pendants. Manufacturing Stilnovo Milan, ca. 1955. 95x20xh140
Brass
1960s Stilnovo Italy Design Extra Size Wall Lamp
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Biella, IT
Stilnovo Italy design production, extra size wall lamp design Gatta Bruno years '50 Material; white glass and brass structure in perfect vintage condit...
Brass
Amazing pair of wall lights model 2020 by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo - 1955s
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Beautiful and rare pair of wall lights designed by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo in 1955. they are composed of a black lacquered arm, an off-white lacquered lampshade. all covered with a ...
Metal, Brass
Floor Lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, 1950s
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Brussels, BE
Floor Lamp by Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo, 1950s
Metal
Tall floor lamp, white and blue metal, by Bruno Gatta, 1960
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Berlin, DE
Eccentric floor lamp by Bruno Gatta, made of metal, lacquered in blue and white, blue reflector and white round opaline glass. Labeled Stilnovo. Two pieces available, price is for o...
Metal
Vintage Floor Lamp Three Arms Alluminium Marble by Stilnovo, 1950
By Bruno Gatta
Located in Biella, IT
Stilnovo floor lamp three arms with lampshade in brown, green and white color Material is; marble base, structure in enameled metal and brass, la...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass