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.
Joe Colombo Black Metal Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in trasparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, It...
Metal
Desk lamp "Shu" or "Elmo" by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This very rare table or desk lamp was designed by Joe Colombo in 1971 and manufactured by Forma & Funzione in Italy. This lamp is known as “Shu”, “Elmo” or “Yo Yo”, due to the possib...
Metal
Joe Colombo Mini Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Mid-Century Modern
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Lamp model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal
Topo table lamp, by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, Italy 1970s (original edition)
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
The Topo table lamp, designed by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo in the 1960s, is an elegant and refined piece that features a unique design, resembling the s...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Chrome for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' table lamp in chrome for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury era, pro...
Metal, Chrome
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Green and Chrome for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' table lamp in green and chrome for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentur...
Metal, Chrome
KD24 Lamp by Joe Colombo
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The KD24 lamp was designed by Joe Colombo for Kartell in 1968. Its flexible design allows for a vast number of configurations between the light and rotatable lampshade. This piece ...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Blue Metal, Mid-Century
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body that reproduces the ancient ‘hammer head...
Metal
Joe Colombo KD 28 Table Lamp
By Joe Colombo
Located in MADRID, ES
The KD 28 lamp, designed by renowned Italian designer Joe Colombo for Italian lighting manufacturer Kartell, debuted in 1967 in a bold red shade. Its ABS plastic...
Plastic
Joe Colombo Vademecum Table Lamp Kartell, 1969s
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in Skokie, IL
Joe Colombo Vademecum table lamp Kartell Italy, 1969 Additional information: Materials:plastic, chrome-plated steel Dimensions: 7" W × 3" D × 10" H Condition: Very good. Tested and...
Steel
Italian modern green table lamp Topo by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green table lamp Topo by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, 1970s Table lamp mod. Topo with clamp. The structure is adjustable, the lampshade has a black plastic handle to dire...
Metal
Joe Colombo Model #291 'Spider' Table Lamp in Yellow for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo model #291 'Spider' table lamp in mustard yellow for Oluce. Executed in yellow lacquered metal and chrome, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the mid-century and an icon for Colombo. A highly adjustable table light...
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
Joe Colombo, Table Lamp, Acrylic, Italy, 1960s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in High Point, NC
A white and orange acrylic table lamp designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Kartell, Italy, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.6” H x 4.6” Diameter Bulb Specifications: E-1...
Acrylic
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Chrome and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in chrome and black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Aluminum, Chrome
Set of Two Joe Colombo Mini Coupe Table Lamps by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table Lamps model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered alumini...
Metal
Joe Colombo for O-Luce "Spider" Arc Lamp, Italy 1967
By O-Luce, Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
Table lamp Mod. '293 Spider' designed by Joe Colombo for OLuce in the 1970s. The lamp consists of an arched metal stem fixed with an adjustable clamp, with a rectangular white enamel...
Metal, Aluminum
Set of Two Joe Colombo Mini Coupe Table Lamps by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table Lamps model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered alumini...
Metal
Joe Colombo Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, White Lacquered Metal, Italy
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Coupé' designed by Joe Colombo in 1967. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufactu...
Metal, Aluminum
White Flash Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1970s
By O-Luce, Joe Colombo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
White table lamp model Flash designed by Joe Colombo for O-Luce reflects the innovative spirit of its creator. It was inspired by the flash lights used for photo cameras. The heavy ...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Special Edition Table Lamp in Red for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' special edition table lamp in red for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcen...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Desk Lamp
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable Italian desk lamp. Swivel and tilt cylindrical hood shade allows for positioning and direction of light. Cream enamel and bright chrome original finish, working and wired...
Chrome, Metal
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Green and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in green and black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mi...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo Pair of Mini Flash Table Lamps for O-Luce, Italy 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Joe Colombo mini flash table lamp for O-Luce, Italy 1970s. Both lamps carry the original Oluce label.
Metal
$1,000Sale Price|30% Off
Spider Table Lamp Joe Colombo 1960s White Metal Original Old
By Joe Colombo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Spider Table Lamp Joe Colombo 1960s White Metal Original Old.
Metal
Joe Colombo Mid-Century Modern Italian Table Lamp, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Lamp designed by Joe Colombo, in ivory lacquered aluminum and structure in chromed and black metal.
Aluminum, Chrome
KD29 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1967
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in bruxelles, BE
Creamy white plastic lamp designed by Joe Colombo. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Plastic
Large Italian Desk or Table Lamp by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo, Artemide, Harvey Guzzini, Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in München, DE
Fabulous Italian desk or table lamp from Joe Colombo from the 1960s. Industrial design and high -quality workmanship. An absolute highlight for every design lover. There is a spectac...
Metal
Spider clamp lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1967
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Athens, Attiki
clamp lamp White Spider Model Designer Joe Colombo Italian Manufacture Oluce design 70's excellent state of conservation Slight signs of ordinary wear and tear of the time
Metal
Vintage Italian Coupè Table Lamp by Joe Colombo by Oluce, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage italian Coupè table lamp by Joe Colombo. This articulate clamp lamp from the Coupè series in Red lacquered metal is from the first edition by O-...
Steel
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo, Steel & Brass, Mid-Century Modern
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo, 1965 The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps ...
Steel
Joe Colombo Model #291 'Spider' Table Lamp in Black for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo model #291 'Spider' table 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 ...
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Mini Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Mid-Century Modern
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Lamp model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1968. With its sleek yet optimistic clarity of form; a light, triangular shade seemingly floating off a weighty cylindric base, Italian desi...
Steel
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury e...
Aluminum
Joe Colombo Mini Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Mid-Century Modern
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Lamp model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufact...
Metal
Set of Two Joe Colombo Mini Coupe Table Lamps by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table Lamps model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered alumini...
Metal
20th Century Joe Colombo Forma E Funzione Table Lamp Mod. Shu, 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Turin, Turin
Joe Colombo was born in Milan in 1930. After attending the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and the Milan Polytechnic, Joe Colombo worked in the fields of painting, architecture, graphic d...
Metal
Joe Colombo for Stilnovo "Topo" Table Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
The "Topo" table lamp, originally designed by Joe Colombo in 1970, has long been recognized as an iconic and timeless design. The shape of the reflector mirrors that of a standard bu...
Metal, Aluminum
$612Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mini Coupe' Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Oluce is expanding the family with the introduction of Mini Coupé, a smaller scale version of the table lamp, available in a stunning new contemporary range of 4 new colours, Lacque...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Red Metal, Mid-Century
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body that reproduces the ancient ‘hammer head...
Metal
Joe Colombo ''Spider'' table lamp for Oluce, 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Quarrata, IT
Iconic ''Spider'' table lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce in 1965. This version features a lacquered white metal reflector, chrome stem , and cast iron base, maintenenig the cle...
Metal, Steel
1st edition Flash Table Lamps, Model 2207, by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, Italy 1968
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
A true icon of Italian mid-century design, the “Flash” Model 2207 table lamp was created by renowned designer Joe Colombo for O-Luce in 1968. Crafted from white lacquered aluminum wi...
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Model #2201 'Mini Coupé' Table Lamp in Scarlet Red for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo model #2201 'Mini Coupé' table lamp in scarlet red for Oluce. Executed in red enameled metal and chrome, this table lamp is a smaller-scale version of one of the most r...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Joe Colombo Satin Gold Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, I...
Metal
Joe Colombo Black Metal Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in trasparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, It...
Metal
"Spider" Desk Lamp, Joe Colombo, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in PARIS, FR
"Spider" Desk Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1965 The Spider lamp embodies the Space Age design of the 1960s. Featuring a practical clamp and an adjustable shade, it offers optimal ...
Metal
1970 Topo Joe Colombo Stilnovo Vintage Green Desk Table
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Brescia, IT
"Topo" Desk Lamp Joe Colombo Stilnovo 1970 Green Metal and Black Plastic First Edition Perfect working order
Metal
Mid-Century Plexiglass White Table Lamp Model ''Acrilica" by Joe Colombo, Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century plexiglass white table lamp Model ''Acrilica" by Joe Colombo - Italy 1960s.
Plexiglass
Vintage Italian Design Spider Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage reading lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy, 1965. This mid-century modern design classic is an original version from the 196...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Red and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in red and black with base for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midc...
Aluminum
Set of Three Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamps by Oluce Metal, Mid-Century
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Three Table lamps 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 1x Black 1x Blue 1x Red Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body t...
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Black Metal, Mid-Century
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Mini Spider' designed by Joe Colombo. Design Joe Colombo, 2025 Lacquered metal base, chromed vertical stem and illuminating body that reproduces the ancient ‘hammer head...
Metal
Joe Colombo Table Lamps 'The Globe' by Oluce, Black Metal, Set of Two
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table lamps "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in trasparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured ...
Metal
Set of Two Joe Colombo Satin Gold Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table lamps "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured...
Metal
Joe Colombo Satin Gold Table Lamp 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in transparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured by Oluce, I...
Metal
Set of two Joe Colombo Black Metal Table Lamps 'The Globe' by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table lamps "The Globe" designed by Victor Vaisilev in 1964. Table lamp giving direct and diffused light in trasparent blown glass. Metal base and structure. Manufactured ...
Metal
'281 Acrylic' Oluce 1960s lamp by Gianni and Joe Colombo
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, IT
White enameled metal and transparent methacrylate table lamp that won the gold medal at the 13th Milan Triennale. Due to the curvature and thickness, it allows the light from the bul...
Metal
Set of Two Joe Colombo Mini Coupe Table Lamps by Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Table Lamps model Mini Coupe designed by Joe Colombo. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered alumini...
Metal
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1968. With its sleek yet optimistic clarity of form; a light, triangular shade seemingly floating off a weighty cylindric base, Italian design...
Steel
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1968. With its sleek yet optimistic clarity of form; a light, triangular shade seemingly floating off a weighty cylindric base, Italian desi...
Steel