That a spiky, futuristic chandelier named “Sputnik,” which was highly suggestive of the Soviet satellite of the same name, designed by an Italian engineer could predate the space age and the satellite’s launch by a few decades is the stuff of legend. But in 1939, Venetian-born Gino Sarfatti channeled his obsession with light and expert engineering skills into a design so bold it predicted the future. He would go on to design around 700 lighting products in his lifetime — each table lamp, wall light, pendant and chandelier superb and unorthodox in shape.
Sarfatti’s singular focus on creating opulent lighting designs that were rational in their use of resources makes him one of the most innovative lighting designers in history. He was studying to be an aeronautical engineer at the University of Genoa when his family’s financial troubles led him to drop out and move to Milan to help. During this time, he built a lamp for a friend using a coffee machine’s electric components and a glass vase. This exercise sparked his fascination with lighting, and he went on to found Arteluce in 1939. What followed was a period of working with skilled artisans and tinkering with materials instead of sketching. The self-taught designer soon established himself as a creator of provocative, sculptural luxury lighting. Through the company, he collaborated with some of the 20th century’s most influential designers, such as Vittoriano Viganò, who worked on Arteluce lighting between 1946 and 1960. In the 1950s and ’70s, Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Ico Parisi and Massimo Vignelli all contributed designs.
Sarfatti used resources mindfully and injected functionality into everything he designed. His light fixtures were lightweight, easy to take apart and reassemble and could be affordably repaired. This marriage of utilitarianism and glamour lent Sarfatti’s designs a clean, minimal yet arresting splendor, based on their graphical forms and construction.
After World War II, Sarfatti embraced new wiring technologies and materials like plexiglass, such as his 1972 project with Carlo Mollino that filled the Teatro Regio in Turin with hundreds of plexiglass pipes. In 1973, Sarfatti sold Arteluce to FLOS. His foresight, invention and fearlessness as a designer are revered to this day.
Find a collection of vintage Gino Sarfatti lighting now on 1stDibs.
' Le Sfere Plafone 2042/3 ceiling lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Gino Sarfatti was an Italian designer and a pioneer in lighting design. In 1939, he founded Arteluce, through which he developed many innovative lighting models. Sarfatti combined te...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce flush mount light 3001/50, Italy circa 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce flush mount ceiling light. Model 3001/50 Prismatic glass, chrome plated aluminum, painted metal. Remains of Arteluce sticker. Made in Italy in 1950s. Takes...
Metal
Large Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Model 155, circa 1950s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Rare and large lacquered metal and brass flush mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy, circa 1950s, (Model 155) Socket: 3 x e27 or e26 (US) for standard screw bulbs. In a very go...
Metal, Brass
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Black for Astep
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 opaline glass ceiling light in black for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet inno...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti, Flush Mount, Acrylic, Metal, Italy, 1950s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in High Point, NC
A white acrylic and black-enameled metal flush mount designed by Gino Sarfatti and produced by Arteluce, Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5” H x 25” W x 14” D Bulb Speci...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Black for Astep
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 opaline glass ceiling light in black for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet inno...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Champagne for Astep
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Champagne for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet ...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Champagne for Astep
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/6 opaline glass ceiling light in champagne for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully ...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti 2042/6 Flushmount
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Flushmount by the renown Italian designer Gino Sarfatti, model 2042/6 made of an enameled metal structure, frosted glass globes and aluminum diffusers.
Aluminum, Steel
20th Century, Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Ceiling Light mod 178 NT
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Turin, Turin
Gino Sarfatti was an Italian designer and businessman born in 1912 in Venice. After studying aeronaval engineering in Genoa, he founded the Arteluce company in 1939 in Milan. Its pur...
Brass, Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Champagne for Astep
By Astep, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/3 opaline glass ceiling light in champagne for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet...
Steel
$2,349 / item
Gino Sarfatti 3055 Ceiling Lamps Arteluce 1962
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Large set of 10 ceiling lamps model 3055 designed by Gino Sarfatti and manufactured by Arteluce, Italy 1962. Body is in white lacquered aluminium, the outer shade is refinished, the ...
Metal
20th Century, Gino Sarfatti Pendant Lamp Moon mod. 2130
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Turin, Turin
Gino Sarfatti was an Italian designer and businessman born in 1912 in Venice. After studying aeronaval engineering in Genoa, he founded the Arteluce company in 1939 in Milan. Its pur...
Aluminum
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Black for Astep
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model 2042/9 Opaline Glass Ceiling Light in Black for Astep. This Astep re-edition of Gino Sarfatti's iconic design faithfully pays homage to his minimalistic yet inno...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti rare set of ceiling lights made for the Milanese residence
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Vigevano, PV
Gino Sarfatti rare set of ceiling lights made for the Milanese residence. These two lamps were part of the furnishings of an apartment in centra...
Brass
White Metal 5-Lights Wall Lamp Mod. 50 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, '68
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This wall lamp was designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1968 for bath mirror and it belongs to the early production. The simplicity of its design and its rarity al...
Metal
Set of Two Metal Ceiling Lamps by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy, 1960s
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Milan, IT
Rare set of two ceiling lamps model 232G by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. White lacquered frame and aluminum shade.
Metal
3055 by Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Milano, IT
Rare ceiling or wall lamp, model 3055, designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in 1962. This lamp was later used by BBPR to create the famous chandeliers. It accommodates two E27 bu...
Aluminum
Gino Sarfatti Ceiling Lamp Model 3001/40 Arteluce, 1950
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Modernist Model 3001/40 ceiling lamps designed by Gino Sarfatti and manufactured by Arteluce in Italy in 1950. Nice minimal design with the rounded shape and the plexiglass shade tha...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Model 237/2 Wall Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Naples, IT
Rare and Original two pair of vintage wall sconces, model 237/2 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Milan. Italy, 1960 Two spherical diffusers with clear glass, resting on black lacquered...
Metal
$5,650
H 11.42 in W 28.75 in D 25.99 in
Gino Sarfatti Ceiling Lamp Model 2042/6, Opaline Glass, Astep, Italy
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gino Sarfatti Lamp Model 2042/6. Champagne Mount. Manufactured by Astep. Model 2042/6 Design by Gino Sarfatti With Le Sfere Plafone, Model 2042/6 from 1963, another of Gino Sa...
Steel
$5,650 / item
H 11.03 in W 28.75 in D 25.99 in
Gino Sarfatti Le Sfere Model 2042/6 Ceiling Light, Opaline Glass
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Model 2042/6 Design by Gino Sarfatti With Le Sfere Plafone, Model 2042/6 from 1963, another of Gino Sarfatti’s beautiful interpretations of the luminous sphere is reintroduced. The r...
Steel
Gino Sarfatti Model #10 Sconce in Black for Arteluce
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gino Sarfatti Model #10 Sconce in Black for Arteluce Executed in painted aluminum and custom fabricated period-styled brass backplates designed to mount ove...
Brass, Aluminum
$1,989
H 1.78 in W 25.6 in D 2.76 in
White Metal 5-Lights Wall Lamp Mod. 50 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, '68
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This wall lamp was designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1968 for bath mirror and it belongs to the early production. The simplicity of its design and its rarity al...
Metal
$3,400 / set
H 6.25 in W 4.5 in D 8.5 in
1950s Italian Red Articulating Sconces Attributed to Gino Sarfatti
By Jacques Biny, Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Glendale, CA
1950s Italian red articulating sconces attributed to Gino Sarfatti. Executed in brass and red painted aluminum. Sconces pivot up/down and left/right on a ball joint. Custom black bac...
Brass, Metal
$1,831Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.65 in Dm 11.42 in
unique round Brass Gino Sarfatti Style Ceiling Light Flushmount, Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Gio Ponti
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: brass ceiling light, uplight flush mount Origin: Italy Age: 1950s This vintage modernist light was produced in the 1950s in Italy. The lights is made of metal an...
Metal, Brass
Model 50 Wall Lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, 1968
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Off-white lacquered Model 50 wall lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, designed in 1968 and manufactured in the 1970s. Marco Romanelli and Sandra Severi describe the wall lamp in '...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti 2042/6 Flushmount
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Flushmount by the renown Italian designer Gino Sarfatti, model 2042/6 made of an enameled metal structure, frosted glass globes and aluminum diffusers.
Aluminum, Steel
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Model 238/2 Wall Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Naples, IT
Stunning three-light wall lamp model 238/2 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce 1950s. In excellent original condition. The brass wall plate with arms bent to form circles houses translucen...
Metal
$15,480
H 17.72 in Dm 29.93 in
Gino Sarfatti chandelier Model 2042/9 produced by Arteluce, Italy, 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A chandelier with nine metal and opaline glass diffusers, Model 2042/9, designed by Gino Sarfatti and manufactured by Arteluce in Italy during the 1960s. A glowing orb encased in a ...
Aluminum
Gino Sarfatti Wall Lamp Sconce for Arteluce, Italy 1950s
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and iconic sconce designed by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso and produced by Arteluce in Italy during the 1950s. This incredibly elegant and unique sconce is in fabu...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 19.69 in
Gino Sarfatti Model 155 Ceiling Lamp for Arteluce, Italy, 1950, Brass & White
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Almelo, NL
Gino Sarfatti Model 155 Ceiling Lamp for Arteluce, Italy, 1950, Brass & White Iconic mid-century Italian design by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, with brass diffuser and elegant dish ...
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 3.55 in Dm 9.85 in
Red Metal and Glass Ceiling Light model 3055 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, 1962
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1962. Designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. It is made in red varnished aluminum and features a frosted moulded prismatic gold diffuser. It is a vintage piece, the...
Aluminum, Brass
Gino Sarfatti Model 155 for Arteluce 1950s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Munich, DE
Rare ceiling lamp or ceiling light manufactured by the famous lighting company Arteluce and designed by Gino Sarfatti in the 1950s. The Model 155 consists of a bowl-shaped ceiling la...
Aluminum, Brass
Gino Sarfatti Model 155 for Arteluce 1950s
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Munich, DE
Rare ceiling lamp or ceiling light manufactured by the famous lighting company Arteluce and designed by Gino Sarfatti in the 1950s. The Model 155 consists of a bowl-shaped ceiling la...
Aluminum, Brass
Single Model 3032/F Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Model 3032/F Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1954. Acrylic rectangle diffusers paired with black enameled rod armatures. Thi...
Metal
Model 3020 Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 3020 Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. Italy circa the 1960s. Molded lucite diffuser with a center dimple; adding dimensional intrigue. The l...
Aluminum, Cut Steel
Gino Sarfatti 2042/9 Flushmount
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Flushmount by the renown Italian designer Gino Sarfatti, model 2042/9 made of an enameled metal structure, frosted glass globes and aluminum diffusers.
Aluminum
Ceiling lamp mod 3053 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Ceiling light fixture model 3053 designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, original color with minor missing and peeling in an acceptable amount to be used without repainting the entir...
Aluminum
Model 2096 Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 2096 Flush Mount by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1958. An enameled formed shade supported by a tri-arm brace. An acrylic diffuser sits wit...
Aluminum
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Milano Flush Mount 2042/6 from 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in bari, IT
2042/6 Ceiling lamp in brown and red metal with sandblasted glass shades by Sarfatti for Arteluce, 1963 In 1939 he rented the shop in Corso Littorio, later Corso Matteotti, where he...
Metal
Sold
H 10.63 in Dm 23.63 in
Arteluce Brown Metal & Sandblasted Glass '60s 2042/3 Ceiling Lamp by G. Sarfatti
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Brown/bronze aluminum structure with 3 sandblasted glass shades. This ceiling lamp was designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1963 and produced by Arteluce. this item is original and belong to...
Aluminum
Sold
H 34.65 in Dm 23.63 in
Very Rare Suspension Lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy, circa 1950s
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A very rare pendant lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy, circa 1950s. Cup-shaped reflector in white lacquered and coppered aluminium. Counter cup in perforated and nickeled br...
Brass, Aluminum, Copper, Nickel