Though Bruno Gatta founded Stilnovo way back in 1946, it is still one of the most instantly recognizable names in lighting. Gatta (1904–76) began his business in Milan, and, like many European creatives designing furniture and decor in the wake of World War II, he leaned toward the new wave of mass-market and streamlined styles. In fact, Stilnovo loosely translates to “new style” in Italian, and vintage Stilnovo chandeliers, floor lamps and other lighting have endured as a practical choice for those looking to bring innovative and forward-thinking design into their homes.
Soon after Stilnovo was established, Gatta’s lighting fixtures were applauded throughout Europe for their novel industrial materials as well as their unique yet functional shapes. Italy during the mid-20th century was completely revolutionary, and Bruno Gatta and Stilnovo’s head designer, Angelo Gaetano Sciolari, helped shape the era.
When the 1960s arrived, Stilnovo was experiencing such a boom that the company opened a new production plant in Lainate. One of the brand’s most famous pieces, Giovanni Luigi Gorgoni’s quirky 1965 Buonanotte spherical table lamp, became a best seller.
Gatta partnered with some of the most well-known names in design, including Ettore Sottsass, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo and Gae Aulenti. Sottsass’s pieces for Stilnovo, including the 1977 Valigia four-legged table lamp, the 1968 Lampros chandelier and Manifesto ceiling light, and the Castiglionis’ 1957 Saliscendi pendant light fixtures are some of the brand’s most recognizable to date. In 1978, De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi designed the Fante lamp with an adjustable reflector that playfully recalls a broad-brimmed hat.
Stilnovo’s designs, including Danilo and Corrado Aroldi’s flexible Periscope table lamp, were featured in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art. While Stilnovo continued to operate with new designer collaborations after Gatta’s death, it closed its doors in 1988.
Italian art director Massimo Anselmi acquired the company in 2012 and rereleased several of Stilnovo’s most celebrated pieces. Then in 2019, lighting giant Linea Light Group purchased Stilnovo and relaunched its classic designs with contemporary touches like LED lighting systems.
Find vintage Stilnovo chandeliers and pendants, wall lights, table lamps and other fixtures and furniture on 1stDibs.
Stilnovo, Egg-shaped Floor Lamp , Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Combining humor with minimalism, this iconic lamp from Stilnovo is composed of an opaline glass egg resting in its tripodal, graphic, black steel basket.
Steel, Brass
$1,990 / item
H 70.87 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Giro Minimalist Floor Lamp In Painted Steel, in natural wood and concrete base
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
The Giro (Portuguese for spin) minimalist floor lamp fixture plays with the concept of movement and function. It presents a side table that spins around the stem fixed into a concret...
Cement, Steel
Brass and Acrylic Floor Lamp End Table
By Stiffel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brass and acrylic floor lamp end table. Needs a new shade.
Brass
Lucite Stacked Block Floor Lamp with Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage lucite helix-form stacked blocks floor lamp with a 15 inch square lucite table top at 23 inches high. Chrome fittings. Stepped three tier lucite s...
Lucite
Samson Berman Studio Craft Floor Lamp with Integrated Table
By Samson Berman
Located in Hanover, MA
Custom-made very grand scale (at 7 feet 6 inches tall) and sculptural walnut wood floor lamp with integrated side table from the Flushing, NY studios of Samson Berman...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,836Sale Price|20% Off
H 70 in W 13.25 in D 9 in
1970s Post-Modern Torchiere Floor Lamp in Clear Acrylic & Gold Brass
By Robert Sonneman, Fontana Arte
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Ultra glam Art Deco inspired, Nineteen-Laties, clear acrylic floor lamp with gold metallic accents. As the room is warmly lit, the glittering lamp adds its own sparkly shine.The pill...
Metal
Vintage Tapered Brass Floor Lamp with Integrated Glass Table
Located in Hanover, MA
This is the sexiest one of these lamp tables I've ever seen. Note the quality of the double inverted and elongated tapered cones which form the stem. Where they intersect is the round glass disk table surface. The weighted base is made of copper. The original cylindrical parchment drum shade is embellished with dried flowers and pressed butterflies...
$1,080Sale Price|70% Off
H 78 in Dm 20 in
Floor Lamp Ceramic Top Stainless Steel Frame - ready to ship
By Filipe Ramos
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Linha collection is a collaboration between Hannelore Freer and Filipe Ramos. The handbuilt ceramic tops are one-of-a-Kind art pieces made by Hann...
Stainless Steel
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp with Built In Round Glass Side Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice craftsmanship sculptural walnut floor lamp. Frosted glass cylinder shape shade. Turned walnut base.
Glass, Walnut
$3,950Sale Price|46% Off
H 69.25 in W 19.25 in D 19.25 in
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Floor Lamp with Side Table, 1955, Signed
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible floor lamp with built-in side table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals is finished in a black lacquer with Parzinger's signature brass accents. Signed 'Parzinger Originals' under the base, making this 1950s authentic designer piece ultra-collectible. The three lights comprise of a single up-light and two down-lights which can be turned on and off independently of one another or used in unison as demonstrated in the photos. A glass Stiffel branded glass cone shade sits on top of the lamp and a larger black fabric shade with golden insides is included. Can be used with or without the larger black shade. Consider using in a Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency or Postmodern home...
Brass
Brass and Lucite Tripod Leg Floor Lamp Glass Side Table
By Harvey Probber, Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern floor lamp side table combination.
Brass
Walnut Base Marble-Top Table Lamp
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice brass marble and walnut combination end side table floor lamp.
Mid Century Modern Gold Gild Metal Leaf Table Floor Lamp
By Arthur Court, Chanel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern gold gilt glass side table floor lamp.
Gilt Metal