Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Italian, 1930-1971
He died tragically young, and his career as a designer lasted little more than 10 years. But through the 1960s, Joe Colombo proved himself one of the field’s most provocative and original thinkers, and he produced a remarkably large array of innovative chairs, table lamps and other lighting and furniture as well as product designs. Even today, the creations of Joe Colombo have the power to surprise.
Cesare “Joe” Colombo was born in Milan, the son of an electrical-components manufacturer. He was a creative child — he loved to build huge structures from Meccano pieces — and in college he studied painting and sculpture before switching to architecture.
In the early 1950s, Colombo made and exhibited paintings and sculptures as part of an art movement that responded to the new Nuclear Age, and futuristic thinking would inform his entire career. He took up design not long after his father fell ill in 1958, and he and his brother, Gianni, were called upon to run the family company.
Colombo expanded the business to include the making of plastics — a primary material in almost all his later designs. One of his first, made in collaboration with his brother, was the Acrilica table lamp (1962), composed of a wave-shaped piece of clear acrylic resin that diffused light cast by a bulb concealed in the lamp’s metal base. A year later, Colombo produced his best-known furniture design, the Elda armchair (1963): a modernist wingback chair with a womb-like plastic frame upholstered in thick leather pads.
Portability and adaptability were keynotes of many Colombo designs, made for a more mobile society in which people would take their living environments with them. One of his most striking pieces is the Tube chair (1969). It comprises four foam-padded plastic cylinders that fit inside one another. The components, which are held together by metal clips, can be configured in a variety of seating shapes (his Additional Living System seating is similarly versatile).
Vintage Tube chairs generally sell for about $9,000 in good condition; Elda chairs for about $7,000. A small Colombo design such as the plastic Boby trolley — an office organizer on wheels, designed in 1970 — is priced in the range of $700.
As Colombo intended, his designs are best suited to a modern decor. If your tastes run to sleek, glossy Space Age looks, the work of Joe Colombo offers you a myriad of choices.
Find vintage Joe Colombo lamps, seating and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
to
8
32
7
24
15
Height
to
Width
to
31
31
22
26
21
25
21
24
20
24
20
24
27
3
1
15
24
10
5
9
5
39
21
17
5
5
39
38
39
19
21
269
384
357
354
305
Creator: Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo fo Oluce Italian "Fresnel" Glass Metal Sconces Wall Light 1960s
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two sconces wall lamps “Fresnel” model designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Oluce from 1760s with thick moulded opaque glass cylindrical di...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Joe Colombo Inside and Outside Wall and Ceiling Lamp 'Fresnel' White by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Fresnel' designed by Joe Colombo in 1966.
Inside and outside wall ceiling lamp giving direct and diffused light. Lacquered aluminium support and Fresnel lens diffuser. Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Coupé' Black by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Adjustable rotating metal wall lamp giving direct and reflected light.
Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Coupé series, design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Wall Light Fresnel Joe Colombo for Oluce Midcentury White Exsterior Lighting
By Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Fresnel Joe Colombo for oluce midcentury Italia design white Exsterior lighting.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Outdoor Wall Lamps in White for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' outdoor wall lamps in white for Oluce.
Executed in lacquered aluminum and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury and an icon for Colombo. Originally designed in 1966, this authorized re-edition is still made by Oluce in Italy using many of the original manufacturing techniques with scrupulous attention to detail, materials and craftsmanship.
'Fresnel' is a lamp that was created to be one of those perfect objects, incapable of being improved any further; it has not only withstood the test of time, but been designed by it. This iconic wall lamp makes essentiality and practicality synonyms of elegance.
Different versions of the Fresnel have been designed over time: wall / ceiling lamps for both indoor and outdoor use as well as a floor lamp, only for outdoor use. Also available with an integrated LED, please inquire for additional details.
Price is per pair. Four lamps in Los Angeles...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Outdoor Wall Lamps in Black for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' outdoor wall lamps in black for Oluce.
Executed in lacquered aluminum and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Early 1158 Coupe Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo For Oluce, 1960s
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking 1158 Coupé wall lamp was designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce in the 1960s and remains a true icon of mid-century modern design. Featuring a bold red lacquered aluminum sh...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Fresnel Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fresnel Wall Lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. Simple and timeless, this lamp produces both direct and diffused light. The fixture is made of c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
60s 70s Spider Wall Lamp Joe Colombo O-Luce 1967 Wall Light Design
By O-Luce, Joe Colombo
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s Spider wall lamp Joe Colombo O-Luce 1967 wall light Design 60s
Object: wall lamp
Manufacturer: O-Luce
Condition: good
Age: around 1960-1970
Dimensions:
90cm...
Category
1970s European Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Wall Lamps in Chrome for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' wall lamps in chrome for Oluce.
Executed in chrome-plated metal and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Pair of 'Flash' Wall or Ceiling Lights by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Flash' Wall or Ceiling Lights by Joe Colombo for Oluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1960. Chalice-shaped aluminum is cut in half length-wise to form the shade. The shade ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Coupé' White by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Adjustable rotating metal wall lamp giving direct and reflected light.
Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Coupé series, designed b...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Fresnel Wall Sconce Blu Joe Colombo for Luce 1960s Original Italian Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Fresnel wall sconce blu Joe Colombo for Luce 1960s original Italian design.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Joe Colombo Inside and Outside Wall and Ceiling Lamp 'Fresnel' Black by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Fresnel' designed by Joe Colombo in 1966.
Inside and outside wall ceiling lamp giving direct and diffused light. Lacquered aluminium support and Fresnel lens diffuser. Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Red vintage Spider Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for O-Luce 1965s
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in The Hague, NL
Spider wall lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy 1965. The lamp is adjustable in height and to the sides. Overall very good condition with minor sings of use.
Winner of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Italian midcentury pair of Spider wall lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare pair of iconic Spider wall lamps designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce in 1965.
Original metal structure and lacquered lampshade, the two lamps are composed of a single lighting bo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Colombo' Anodic Bronze by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Wall lamp with chromium-plated stem, wall fixings lacquered and height adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufactured by...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'The Globe' Blown Glass Satin Gold by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'The Globe' designed by Joe Colombo in 1964.
Wall lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Globe is a lamp which...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Outdoor Wall Lamps in Grey for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' outdoor wall lamps in grey for Oluce.
Executed in lacquered aluminum and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midce...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'The Globe' Blown Glass Satin Gold by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'The Globe' designed by Joe Colombo in 1964.
Wall lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Globe is a lamp which...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Coupé' White by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Adjustable rotating metal wall lamp giving direct and reflected light.
Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Coupé series, designed b...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'The Globe' Transparent Blown Glass by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'The Globe' designed by Joe Colombo in 1964.
Wall lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Globe is a lamp wh...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Nickel
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Colombo' Black by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Wall lamp with chromium-plated stem, wall fixings lacquered and height adjustable reflector in lacquered alluminium. Manufactured b...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Model #1158 'Coupé' Wall Lamp in Scarlet Red for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo Model #1158 'Coupé' wall lamp in scarlet red for Oluce.
Executed in scarlet red metal and chrome, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'The Globe' Transparent Blown Glass by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'The Globe' designed by Joe Colombo in 1964.
Wall lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Globe is a lamp wh...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Nickel
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'The Globe' Transparent Blown Glass by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'The Globe' designed by Joe Colombo in 1964.
Wall lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Globe is a lamp wh...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Nickel
Rare Model 1138 Sconce by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Model 1138 single sconce by Joe Colombo. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1963. Glass, brass. Adjustable shutter for directional lighting. Rewired for U.S junction boxes. We ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Globe Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Globe wall lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce. The overall shape of the lamp resembles the shape of a globe that sits on a ring and can be positioned as desired. The transparent sphere is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Joe Colombo Model #1158 'Coupé' Wall Lamp in Black for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo Model #1158 'Coupé' wall lamp in black for Oluce.
Executed in black metal and chrome, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury and a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
1048 by Joe Colombo per Oluce
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
Outdoor or indoor lamp, model 1148 by Joe Colombo for Oluce. This iconic lamp features a Fresnel glass lens, has a diameter of 10 cm, and reinterprets boat or port lamps in a contemp...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Rare set of Flash wall or ceiling lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy 1960
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
Each lamp features a chalice-shaped aluminum shade and finished in matte white lacquer. A black plastic knob allows adjustment of the main body's rotation angle. Designed and manufac...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum
Colombo Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Colombo wall lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. Joe Colombo was one of Italy's most iconic designers and is highly regarded for his imaginary an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
4 Triedro Appliques, Joe Colombo for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Triedro, a 1970 design by Joe Colombo, evokes the stage lamps of photographic sets. The lampshade is made of shaped metal and bent into three parts so that it reflects light without ...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, O-Luce
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
Wall lamp mod. Coupé 1159 with adjustable dome lampshade in white lacquered metal. Inside the lampshad...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Steel
Joe Colombo Wall Lamp 'Coupé' White by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967.
Adjustable rotating metal wall lamp giving direct and reflected light.
Manufactured by Oluce, Italy.
The Coupé series, designed b...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Coupe Wall Lamp '1159 R' by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coupe wall lamp (1159R) designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. This iconic design from 1967 still is a beautiful addition to any room. An adjustable hemispherical reflector diffuses the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Coupe Wall Lamp ‘1158’ by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Coupe wall lamp (1158) designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. Elegance defined by form following function is exemplified in this beautiful fixture. A round black plate is attached to the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, O-Luce
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
Wall lamp mod. Coupé 1159 with adjustable dome lampshade in white lacquered metal. Inside the lampshad...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Steel
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, O-Luce
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Adjustable wall lamp Coupé 1159 by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
Wall lamp mod. Coupé 1159 with adjustable dome lampshade in white lacquered metal. Inside the lampshad...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Steel
Joe Colombo wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.
Joe Colombo wall lights and sconces are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Joe Colombo wall lights and sconces, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 11 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 24 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original wall lights and sconces by Joe Colombo were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall lights and sconces by Gio Ponti, Vittoriano Vigano, and Murano . Prices for Joe Colombo wall lights and sconces can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $467 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,452.
Creators Similar to Joe Colombo
Questions About Joe Colombo Wall Lights and Sconces
- What is Joe Colombo famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025Joe Colombo is famous for his career as a designer. He died young, at 41 in 1971, and his career as a designer lasted little more than 10 years. Through the 1960s, Colombo proved himself one of the field’s most provocative and original thinkers, and he produced a remarkably large array of innovative chairs, table lamps and other lighting and furniture as well as product designs. Even today, his creations have the power to surprise. Shop a selection of Joe Colombo furniture on 1stDibs.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Joe Colombo Furniture
Joe Colombo Table Lamps
Joe Colombo Floor Lamps
Joe Colombo Chandeliers and Pendants
Joe Colombo Seating
Joe Colombo Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Joe Colombo Tables
Joe Colombo Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Joe Colombo Decorative Objects
Joe Colombo Cigar Boxes and Humidors
Joe Colombo Decorative Bowls
Joe Colombo Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Joe Colombo Abstract Sculptures