Recalling sculptor Constantin Brancusi's audacious forms, the brass stem of the Cobra table lamp, created by Italian designer Angelo Lelii (1911–79), casts a long and slender shadow beneath a magnetized adjustable sphere, or “socket,” where the bulb is positioned. The curious socket fixture is tucked inside a cobra-like “hood” that gave the lamp its name. Lelii’s revolutionary 1962 design allowed for light to be directed according to preference, and a dimming switch controls the intensity of the light. It was among the first lamps to use low voltage, thanks to the transformer housed in its base. As one of the best-known examples of postwar Italian lighting, it encapsulated the design ethos and emphasis on innovation long associated with Arredoluce, the lighting company Lelii founded in 1943.
Raised in Monza — where he would also begin to work with lighting in the late 1930s — Lelii encountered considerable success as a designer after several of his lamps appeared in Domus, the design journal cofounded by Giò Ponti. Arredoluce was a prolific firm, and counted Ponti, Ettore Sottsass Jr. and other well-known figures as designers, with many contributions coming from Lelii himself. Famous for a free-flowing exchange between factory workers and designers, Arredoluce helped define Italy’s modernist lighting industry, alongside companies such as Arteluce and Oluce.
Lelii’s simple and spare Cobra fell out of production, as did the company’s other designs, after Arredoluce shuttered following the maker’s death. Today, the lamp remains a striking encapsulation of the minimalist, technically advanced design principles he cultivated there. Demand for Lelii’s provocative and sculptural work has only increased over the years.
Pair of Cobra table lamps, model no. 12919 by Angelo Lelii
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Brussels, BE
Stunning 'Cobra' table lamps by Angelo Lelii designed in 1962. Two versions at the same price in very good state. Refinished and rewired in our workshop. Eye ball adjustable on a...
Brass, Chrome
21st Century Cavalletto Floor Lamp, Angelo Lelii, 2019, Style of 1950s, Italy
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Brass easel floor lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce. Tripod base with adjustable mounts. Light arm is also adjustable. Aluminum spotlight varnish...
Metal, Brass
$6,200
H 10 in W 2.75 in D 5.5 in
Angelo Lelii Cobra table lamp model 12919 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1962
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Skokie, IL
Angelo Lelii Cobra table lamp model 12919 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1962 Dimensions: 24 1/2" h × 4 1/2" w × 4 1/2" d Materials: brass, enameled ste...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Rare Pair of Table Lamps
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, pair of table lamps, model '12398', enameled aluminum, brass, Italy, circa 1952 Arredoluce captures it perfectly: “One of Lelii's many inventions that p...
Aluminum, Brass
Rare Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Floor Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, floor lamp, coated aluminum and brass, brass, marble, Italy, design circa 1954 An exceptionally rare floor lamp, designed by the acclaimed lighting des...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Floor Lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy, 1950s
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
There is something almost airborne about this floor lamp. From a flat, organically shaped marble base, a slender red-lacquered stem rises vertically, meeting a long brass arm that ex...
Metal, Brass
Angelo Lelii table lamp model 12990 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1963
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Skokie, IL
Angelo Lelii table lamp model 12990 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1963 Condition: Good vintage condition. Some scratching and visible wear to nickel-plating. Tested and working.
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Floor Lamp in Manner of Angelo Lelii
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Angelo Leilli was prominent Italian designer who created number of iconic Lighting designs during the 20 th century. His work is sleek minimalist astatic...
Metal, Brass
Table lamp by Angelo Lelli ( Lelii ) for Arredoluce Italy, 1969
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Renens, CH
Rare Brushed steel "14082" table lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Italy This beautiful lamp is the perfect illustration of Angelo Lelli's avant-gardism and attention to detail. ...
Metal
Angelo Lelii Arredoluce standard floor lamp Italy 1956
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This minimalist floor lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii and manufactured by Arredoluce in Italy in 1956, is an exquisite example of mid-century lighting design. As an early creation by ...
Marble, Metal
Angelo Lelii 12445 table lamp Arredoluce Italy 1954
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The model 12445 table lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii and manufactured by Arredoluce in Italy in 1954, is a refined example of mid-century architectural design. This compact yet strik...
Metal
$7,539 / set
H 9.06 in Dm 4.73 in
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Pair of Italian table lamps, model 12398, 1952
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
These iconic mid-Century Italian table lamps were manufactured by Arredoluce to a design by Angelo Lelii, circa 1952. Sold as a pair, each lamp is made of aluminium and brass, on a m...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
$20,010
H 88.59 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Angelo Lelii brass and metal floor lamp model 12383 by Arredoluce, Italy, 1950s
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A floor lamp in painted metal and hammered brass, marked Arredoluce Monza, model 12383, design by Angelo Lelii, 1950s. There are objects that captivate and draw attention, enchantin...
Metal, Brass
Italian Floor Lamp by Angelo Lelli
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare floor lamp by Angelo Lelli, Model 12555 Occhio. Metal and brass with marble base. Italy, 1956.
Metal, Brass
"Cobra" Table Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cobra table lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960s. Brass shade, encasing a magnetic, steel eyeball. Original cord. Takes one E27 Europe...
Metal, Brass, Steel
Cobra Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, 1960s
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Arredoluce 'Cobra' lamp in good condition. Design: Angelo Lelli, Italy, 1960s. Crème lacquered metal base. Pivoting magnitized oxide steel ball which holds the socket ...
Metal, Brass
Cobra Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful example, it benefits from a rewire with new transformer, so noww uses a 12V halogen bulb and the click down on/off switch with turn to dim works fine!
Brass, Steel
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Cobra Table Lamp or Eye Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Kansas City, MO
Angelo Lelii cobra table lamp, Arredoluce, Italy, 1964. Chrome-plated brass, enameled aluminum, blackened steel This lamp has been registered in t...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Angelo Lelli Cobra Light Sculpture, Lamp, 1964 by Arredoluce, 1st Edition
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Munster, NRW
Legendary table lamp "Cobra" by Angelo Lelli, mod° 12919 made by Arredoluce, 1964 stem in chromed steel, base in white lacquered metal, Italy. 1st series edition, with orignal l...
Chrome
