Imaginative lighting is a longtime hallmark of modern Italian design. Following in the footsteps of innovative companies such as Artemide and Arteluce, the company FLOS brought a fresh aesthetic philosophy to the Italian lighting field in the 1960s, one that would produce several of the iconic floor lamp, table lamp and pendant light designs of the era.
FLOS — Latin for “flower” — was founded in the northern town of Merano in 1962 by Cesare Cassina (of the famed Cassina furniture-making family) and Dino Gavina, a highly cultured businessman who believed that artistic ideas espoused in postwar Italy could inform commercial design. The two enlisted brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni as their first designers.
Even before FLOS was formally incorporated, the Castiglionis gave the firm one of its enduring successes with the Taraxacum pendant and associated designs made by spraying an elastic polymer on a metal armature. (George Nelson had pioneered the technique in the United States in the early 1950s.) For other designs, the brothers found inspiration in everyday objects. Suggestive of streetlights, their Arco floor lamp, with its chrome boom and ball-shaped shade sweeping out from a marble block base, has become a staple of modernist decors. Designing for FLOS since 1966, Tobia Scarpa has also been inspired by the commonplace. His folded-metal Foglio sconces resemble a shirt cuff; his carved marble Biagio table lamp looks like a jai alai basket.
In 1973, FLOS purchased Arteluce, the company founded in 1939 by Gino Sarfatti, and it continues to produce his designs. In recent decades, FLOS has contracted work from several noted designers, including Marcel Wanders and Jasper Morrison. As instantly recognizable as they are, many FLOS designs remain accessible. While FLOS lighting is the essence of modernity, its sleek, subtle designs can be used to strike a sculptural note in even traditional spaces.
Browse a broad range of FLOS lighting fixtures at 1stDibs.
Italian Mid-Century Nictea Chandelier by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Nictea chandelier by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s Chandelier model Nictea in nickel-plated brass with pressed glass at the bottom. The glass and t...
Metal, Nickel
$421Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.45 in W 10.63 in D 1.19 in
Mid Century Modern Light Mirror with Flowers, Gypsum, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A mirror in a golden decorative flowers frame from Italy. The frame is made of gypsum. Good condition, no damage or cracks in the frame, the mirror pane has minimal flaws. Beautiful ...
Mirror, Plaster
$468Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Mid-Century Decorative Mirror in Flower Frame, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A beautiful mirror in a light decorative frame with flowers from Italy. The frame is made of glass and plastic. Mirror is in good vintage condition. Few yellow flowers is missing. Or...
Metal
Rattan and Bamboo Oval Mirror, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent large midcentury French Riviera oval mirror in curved rattan, bamboo and wicker. This gorgeous piece was produced in Italy during the 1960s. This decorative oval mirror ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
$308Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in W 11.42 in D 13.39 in
Mid Century Unique Modern Gold Italian Sunburst Small Mirror, Giltwood, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vintage mirror in a golden decorative sun-shaped frame from Italy. The frame is made of wood. Absolutely amazign and unique piece. Good original condition, the mirror has minimal fla...
Mirror, Giltwood
$65Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 5.52 in D 0.79 in
Mid Century Gold Decorative Table Mirror in Metal Frame, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A beautiful mirror in a golden decorative frame from Italy. The frame is made of metal. Mirror is in very good vintage condition - one chip on the mirror - as shown on pictures. Orig...
Metal
$1,287
H 31.89 in W 23.23 in D 0.99 in
Mid-Century Italian Pink Crystal Bevelled Mirror by Veca, Italy 1960s
By VECA
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Italian Mid-Century double-level mirror with a stunning pink crystal frame and a central beveled oval mirror. This stylish piece was designed by Veca in Italy during the 196...
Glass, Art Glass, Mirror
$1,580
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 0.79 in
Antonio Lupi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mirror by Cristal Luxor, 1960s
By Lupi Cristal Luxor, Antonio Lupi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This mirror was designed and produced by Antonio Lupi for Cristal Luxor. As shown in the photo, it has two scratches on the surrounding frame, in the upper part. Antonio Lupi was bo...
Mirror
$1,228
H 23.63 in W 17.92 in D 1.38 in
Mid-Century French Riviera Bamboo and Curved Rattan Square Mirror, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century Cote d'Azur square mirror with chain fully made in bamboo and curved rattan. This delightful mirror was made in Italy during the 1960s. This incredibly uniqu...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
$739Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in W 11.42 in D 13.39 in
Mid Century Unique Modern Gold Italian Sunburst Mirror, Giltwood, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vintage mirror in a golden decorative sun-shaped frame from Italy. The frame is made of wood. Absolutely amazign and unique piece. Good original condition, the mirror has minimal fla...
Mirror, Giltwood
$4,915
H 35.83 in W 25.2 in D 1.19 in
Cristal Art Mid-Century Modern Italian Ground and Gilded Mirror, 1960s
By Cristal Arte
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Mirror with ground and gilded glass frame, "ears of wheat", Cristal Art production, Italy, 1960s. As shown in the photo, small stain, normal wear over time.
Glass
$1,252
H 18.51 in W 18.51 in D 1.38 in
Mid-Century French Riviera Rattan and Wicker Square Wall Mirror, Albini 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-CenturyFrench Riviera style square mirror fully made in bamboo, curved rattan and hand-woven wicker. This unique mirror was made in Italy during the 1960s and is attribu...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
$1,111
H 20.48 in W 15.75 in D 1.78 in
Mid-Century Rectangular Mirror in Teak by Campo & Graffi, Italy 1960s
By Franco Campo & Carlo Graffi
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing Mid-Century rectangular mirror in curved teak wood. This fantastic piece was designed by Franco Campo and Carlo Graffi in Italy in the 1960s. Fully original and in amazing c...
Mirror, Teak, Glass