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 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 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
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 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Green and Chrome for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Green and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, 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 'Topo' Table Lamp in Chrome and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Rare Topo Variant Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, Italy 1960s
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Topo Table Lamp Variant by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, Italy 1960s
Metal, 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
Italian Desk Lamp
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
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 Riscio Table Lamp, Matte Steel, Modern Design, Italy
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 'Minitopo' Special Edition Table Lamp in Red for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Red Spider Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for O-Luce Italy
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
The Spider table lamp was designed in the 1960s by Joe Colombo for O-Luce Italy. Its minimalistic design is iconic for Colombo. The lamp is height adjustable and the shade can be mo...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
KD24 Lamp by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
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 Model #291 'Spider' Table Lamp in Yellow for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, 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 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Black 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
KD29 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District
Designed in 1967 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, the KD29 table lamp is a quintessential icon of Italian Space Age design. The lamp features a glowing hemispherical acrylic shade suspend...
Acrylic, Wood
$1,102Sale Price|20% 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 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Chrome for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, 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 Vademecum Table Lamp Kartell, 1969s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
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
Stilnovo Joe Colombo Desk or Task Lamp
By Joe Colombo
Located in Hamden, CT
Iconic Joe Colombo for Stilnovo desk/task lamp. Includes both clamp and table base. 60 watts E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb recommended or higher if. Comes with both clam...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
Joe Colombo Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, Black Metal & Aluminum, 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
Joe Colombo Domo Brass Table Lamp by Karakter, Mid-Century Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based on the same cor...
Brass
Joe Colombo Coupé Table Lamp by Oluce, White Lacquered Metal, Italy
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
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
Joe Colombo 'Topo' Table Lamp in Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, 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 Domo Brass Table Lamp by Karakter, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based on the same core s...
Brass
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern Design, 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
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo, Steel & Brass
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based ...
Steel
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
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 Model #2201 'Mini Coupé' Table Lamp in Mustard Yellow for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo Model #2201 'Mini Coupé' table lamp in mustard yellow for Oluce. Executed in yellow enameled metal and chrome, this table lamp is a smaller-scale version of one of the ...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
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
Set of Two Joe Colombo 'Riscio' Steel Table Lamps by Karakter
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 White and Black with Base for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Topo' table lamp in white 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 Model #3319 'Spider' Floor Lamp in Mustard Yellow for Oluce
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo model #3319 'Spider' floor lamp in mustard yellow for Oluce. Executed in mustard yellow metal and chrome, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury and an icon for Colombo. A highly adjustable floor lamp, the shade can be rotated up/down and right/left. Originally designed in 1965, this iconic light is still made...
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern, 2022
By Joe Colombo
Located in Berlin, DE
One lamp (in white) is in stock, more (and other colors) are available on order. Prolific Italian architect and designer Joe Colombo, born Cesare Colombo, believed in democratic an...
Steel
Italian modern green table lamp Topo by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
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
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo, Steel & Brass, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based ...
Steel
Set of Two Joe Colombo 'Riscio' Steel Table Lamps by Karakter
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 Domo Steel Table Lamp by Karakter, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based on the same cor...
Steel
‘Acrilica 281’ table lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Italy 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
The Acrilica 281 table lamp, designed by Joe Colombo in collaboration with his brother Gianni Colombo for Oluce in 1962, is a landmark in Italian lighting design. Its innovative use ...
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
Oluce Spider Table Lamp by Joe Colombo - Mustard yellow - 220–240V
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Spider table lamp, designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce, is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian lighting design. Originally introduced in 1965, Spider perfectly embodies Joe...
Metal, Aluminum
Joe Colombo 'Mini Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Blue 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 for Oluce, "Fresnel" Table Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Naples, IT
An extremely rare and beautiful designer table lamp designed by Joe Colombo for O Luce, featuring the iconic Fresnel lens-shaped glass shade. The transparent, satin-finished glass bo...
Metal
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 '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
Set of Two Joe Colombo 'Domo' Brass Table Lamps by Karakter
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. The Domo lamp was originally designed by Italian designer Joe Colombo in 1965. Back then he designed three lamps based on the same core ...
Brass
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 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
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 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
1970 Topo Joe Colombo Stilnovo Vintage Green Desk Table
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Brescia, IT
"Topo" Desk Lamp Joe Colombo Stilnovo 1970 Green Metal and Black Plastic First Edition Perfect working order
Metal
Joe Colombo 'Spider' Table Lamp by Oluce, Black Metal, Mid-Century
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp 'Spider' designed by Joe Colombo in 1965. Table lamp giving direct light, lacquered metal base, chromium-plated stem, adjustable reflector in lacquered aluminium. Manufac...
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
Joe Colombo, Table Lamp, Acrylic, Italy, 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
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
$2,305 / item
Globe Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Globe table lamp designed by Joe Colombo for Oluce. It is a simplistic and appealing design manufactured from hand-blown glass, producing a remarkable ambient light with the help...
Metal, Nickel
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 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
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 Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern Design, 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