The work of celebrated mid-century Italian lighting designer and entrepreneur Angelo Gaetano Sciolari became widely popular in the United States during the postwar years and strongly influenced lighting makers around the world. The sculptural forms and striking geometric details of his vintage floor lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures fit seamlessly into the mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency interiors of the day.
Sciolari formally studied architecture but also pursued filmmaking for a short period. When his father passed away in 1949, Sciolari took the reins at his family's company, Sciolari Lighting, which had been in business in Rome since 1892. The manufacturer expanded considerably under Gaetano’s leadership. For one, pioneering American lighting company Lightolier, in New York City, began to import the Italian brand’s lighting for the U.S. market, and Lightolier’s star designer, Gerald Thurston, was significantly influenced by Gaetano’s work. In the 1970s, Americans looking to add provocative fixtures created by Gaetano Sciolari to their living rooms could find them in Lightolier catalogs.
Sciolari initially crafted lamps and sconces that bore the hallmarks of traditional Italian design. But during the 1950s, when he would become the in-house designer for legendary Milan lighting manufacturer Stilnovo — one of the leaders of Italian postwar design — he created revolutionary fixtures that endured as his best-known work.
Sciolari drew on a range of influences — enthusiasts see the imprint of Art Deco, brutalism and more in his lighting — and designed futuristic Space Age chandeliers, ceiling lamps and pendants for Stilnovo as well as Stilkronen and S.A. Boulanger that defied the conventions of the time. A dizzying array of materials and finishes characterizes the designer’s work, while geometry is pronounced in each sculptural fixture — there are blown opal glass spheres, polished chrome tubes and brass square bulb holders. These combinations were critical to the development of dazzling lighting that proves eye-catching in any space decades later.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Angelo Gaetano Sciolari lighting today.
Pair of Crystal Rod and Brass Chandelier or Lantern by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of midcentury Gaetano Sciolari clears glass rod modernist chandeliers with brass frame. Each with 20 E 14 light bulbs creates a fabulous light effect. Excellent vintage cond...
Crystal, Brass
Gaetano Sciolari Large Chrome and Glass Lens Chandelier, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York City, NY
Italian, Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Sciolari two-tier chandelier featuring a Sputnik frame and stepped canopy in the original chrome finish. Large optic glass lenses are decoratively...
Chrome
Pendant by Gaetano Scoilari, model Concorde
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Zemst, BE
A gothic revival or a bit Hollywood regency-style pendant by Gaetano Scoliari Solid brass and chrome pendant: excellent quality. 9 lightbulbs With the original chain and ceiling c...
Brass, Chrome
Globe and Diamond Crystal Midcentury Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rome, IT
Glamorous gold-plated brass and diamond shape crystal globe chandelier designed in the 1960 by Gaetano Sciolari. Four E14 light bulbs.
Brass
$1,354
H 25 in Dm 7.2 in
Beautiful Shape Arts & Crafts era, Gothic Revival Style Pendant Light w Dome Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Gothic Revival Pendant Light with Dome Top, ca. 1920. This beautiful antique brass pendant light has such a calm and timeless presence. The comb...
Brass
Two Gaetano Sciolari Crystal Drops Chandeliers
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Gaetano Sciolari Crystal Drops Chandeliers. Materials: Round lampshade made of chromed metal rods, tubes and parts in iron and brass. Black rectangular rods. Thin brass rods. Cr...
Crystal, Metal, Chrome
Gaetano Sciolari Italian Midcentury Brass Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful patina. Italian brass chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, from the early second half of the 20th century. Unusual and elegant. Great for transitional spaces.
Brass
$3,767
H 47 in Dm 13.2 in
Antique & Large Size Gothic Revival Wrought Iron & Transparent Glass Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, top quality made antique pendant in the Gothic style. If you are a collector of rare and ancient looking Gothic antiques then this large size and possibly one of a kind pendant could be flying your way soon. With antique light fixtures as one of our specialities, we know how rare Gothic lanterns are and to have found one of this age, size, beauty and quality more than made our day. Also, because this all hand-crafted specimen is, except for the glass, completely original and in superb condition. What makes this stylishly blackened specimen stand out from the other Gothic lights that we have sold over the years, is the thickness of the forged wrought iron parts and its relatively clean-lined design. The forged iron is thick and strong and that too is why this large lantern light...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Chrome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking ceiling lamp, designed by the renowned Italian lighting designer Gaetano Sciolari in the 1960s, is a perfect blend of modernist geometry and elegant craftsmanship. Feat...
Metal
Gaetano Sciolari Brass and Chrome Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
1970s Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Sciolari brass, chrome and Lucite petite chandelier.
Brass, Chrome
$3,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Pair of Italian Pendants by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
pair of Italian pendants .The pendants have 2 drops the shorter one is 35.5 inches . The lighting designs of Italian entrepreneur-designer Angelo Gaetano Sciolari have recently come ...
Metal
Chrome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking chrome chandelier was designed by Gaetano Sciolari in Italy during the 1960s. Sciolari is known for his sculptural and architectural approach to lighting, often combini...
Metal
$6,711Sale Price|40% Off
H 25.6 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Midcentury Italian Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1970
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian midcentury chrome, brass and plexiglass chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari in 1970s. The design of this chandelier is made in chrome half-round elements with brass stri...
Brass, Chrome
$1,256Sale Price|52% Off
H 22.05 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
1960s, Crystal and Brass Cylinder Chandelier by Orrefors for Tyringe, Sweden
By Orrefors, Konsthantverk Tyringe 1
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and in perfect condition brass chandelier or pendant with twelve crystal cylinders. Designed and manufactured in by Tyringe Konsthantverk, Sweden. All crystal cylinders a...
Crystal, Brass
Brass Candleholder Model L-67 by Hans-Agne Jakobsson
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Brass candleholder with 3 green lanterns by Hans-Agne Jakobsson. Produced by the designer own company in Markaryd, Sweden, in the 1950's and in a very good vintage conditio...
Brass
$1,200
H 34.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Gaetano Sciolari Brass and Glass Chandelier, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass crystal chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari for Stilkronen Italy. Featuring bulbs that face both up and down, and are set behind the cut glass prisms for a sparkling chande...
Brass
Gaetano Sciolari Pair of Solid Brass and Glass Lanterns or Pendant Lamp
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made by Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes four E14 European s...
Brass
Sold
H 41.34 in Dm 11.82 in
Rainbow Crystal Rod and Brass Chandelier or Lantern by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rome, IT
Stunning 1960s Gaetano Sciolari iridescent glass rod modernist chandeliers with brass frame. Six E 14 light bulbs. Available also a pair of delicious table lights. Excellent vintag...
Crystal, Brass
Set of Four Lanterns by Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four beautiful silvered bronzed, neoclassical style hanging lanterns by Sciolari.
Bronze
Sciolari Brushed Brass and Chrome Hurricane Glass Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
Gaetano Sciolari brushed brass and chrome chandelier with glass hurricane shades, illuminated with partial mercury glass light bulbs. Circ...
Brass, Chrome
Three Italian Brass Hall Lantern Pendant Lights by Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Three Sciolari lantern or pendant lights. Italian brass hall lantern with three glass panels. Uses 3 - 40 watt max candelabra base bulbs. Total height including chain 79 cm, can be a...
Metal, Brass, Copper