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.
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
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Chandeliers by Gaetano Sciolari 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant pair of Mid-Century Modernist chandeliers by Gaetano Sciolari, featuring sculptural brass frames and multiple tiers of clear glass rods. Each chandelier is fitted with 20 E1...
Crystal, Brass
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
$2,655
H 40.16 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Italian Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari for Sciolari, Italy 70s
By Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Lucija, SI
Beautiful chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari in the late 60s for Sciolari.
Brass
Chrome 4-Arm Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Hagenbach, DE
An extraordinary Sciolari chandelier made in Italy in the 1960s. It is fascinating with its 4 amazing arms. The body is made of full metal and has a very elegant style. The light...
Metal
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
$1,299
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
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 Modernist Chrome and Brushed Aluminum Chandelier, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
Sleek and impressive ten-light modernist chandelier sculpted in a combination finish of polished chrome and brushed aluminum with textured glass diffusers. Designed by Gaetano Sciol...
Aluminum, Chrome
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
Italian Mid-Century Modern Chrome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Rijssen, NL
Italian Mid-Century Modern minimal sculptural chrome chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1960s. Beautiful Art Deco inspired design. Minimalistic design executed with a taste for e...
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
Mid Century Modern Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Weesp, NL
Gaetano Sciolari mid century modern chandelier A work of Art, created by Gaetano Sciolari in the 1970s. Sciolari`s first designs were Atom inspired pendants, but in the 1960s he shif...
Metal
$6,440Sale 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
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
Midcentury Modernist Brutalist Pendant by Tom Greene
Located in New York, NY
A terrific Mid-Century Modernist Brutalist pendant by Tom Greene featuring torch-cut patinated brass box frame that holds a single bulb. Its top offers sculptural segments mimicking ...
Brass
Italian Crystal Brass Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
A crystal and brass chandelier by designer Gaetano Sciolari, Italian Mid-Century Modern design, mid-20th century, circa 1960s, Italy. Chandelier has long crystals with rounded corner...
Crystal, Brass
$1,186Sale Price|35% Off
H 27.56 in Dm 12.6 in
1960s vintage Murano glass chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari
By Sciolari Lighting, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Chandelier with chrome-plated steel frame and tubular pendants in transparent murano glass, design Gaetano Sciolari for Sciolari, 1960s. CONDITION: In good, working condition, may s...
Metal
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