For some, there’s nothing wholly remarkable about the Eye floor lamp at first glance. It’s a slender metal pole with a flared top and an orb that houses the bulb. But if you lean in to take a closer look at that orb — which pivots in a socket positioned on the stem about two-thirds of the way up — it becomes clear that it was intended to mimic an eye. Such was the adventurous nature of Italian designer Angelo Lelii (1911–79), a pioneer of postwar lighting.
While not much has been reported about Lelii’s life — even his last name is frequently misspelled “Lelli” — it is certain that he founded the legendary lighting design company Arredoluce in Monza, Italy, in 1943, after building light fixtures in his basement. Lelii’s work exemplified a dedication to craftsmanship and employed innovative technology. In 1946, after his lamps appeared in the acclaimed design magazine Domus, he went on to collaborate with modernist greats such as Domus cofounder and furniture maker Gio Ponti and Memphis Group member Ettore Sottsass Jr. Lelii’s best-known design is likely his Triennale floor lamp, which debuted at the Milan Triennale VIII in 1947. The Eye floor lamp arrived later.
With a base made of marble, a painted nickel shaft and an eye formed from brass and glass, the Eye floor lamp is demonstrative of a decidedly sleek and futuristic direction for Lelii. The fixture is thought to have been designed during the early 1960s. It was produced by Arredoluce until its closure in 1979, when Lelii died.
Rare Pendant by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Brussels, BE
Opaline glass pendant in Achordeon shape by Angelo Lelii designed in 1959. Structure in polished brass Rewiring by ourselves.
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
$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 ‘Cobra’ Table Lamp
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, ‘Cobra’ table lamp, model ‘12919’, chrome-plated brass, coated iron, coated steel, Italy, circa 1962 This outstanding table lamp model ‘12919’ known as...
Brass, Steel, Chrome, Iron
$8,063
H 43.31 in Dm 9.45 in
Angelo Lelii certified brass and glass pendant light by Arredoluce, Italy, 1950s
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare chandelier in brass and opaline glass, designed by Angelo Lelii, produced by Arredoluce in the 1950s, with original authenticity label issued by the Arredoluce archive. The l...
Brass
$12,800
H 41.7 in W 10.23 in D 10.23 in
Angelo Lelii Lantern Pendant Light by Arredoluce, Brass Glass, 1959
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Vienna, AT
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce lantern pendant ceiling light, circa 1959 This is a rare model, that hardly shows up; it's in its original condition, rewired, cleaned and working perfec...
Brass
Angelo Lelii table lamp model 12990 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1963
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
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
Rare Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Floor Lamp
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
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
Angelo Lelii Pendant Lamp with Counterweight Model 12126 for Arredoluce
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Angelo Lelii Pendant Lamp with Counterweight Model 12126 for Arredoluce Original Ceiling lamp Model 12126 designed from Angelo Lelii approx. in 1947 and produced from Arredoluce in ...
Aluminum, Brass
Rare Ceiling Light by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare ceiling light by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1958. An oval glass orb is caged by enameled rods througho...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Angelo Lelii Brass Chandelier for Arredoluce, 1950
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Angelo Lelii brass chandelier for Arredoluce, brass and glass, Italy, 1950. This brass chandelier by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, designed in 1950, exemplifies the refined engineeri...
Brass
Angelo Lelii "Tre Lune" Ceiling Lamp for Arredoluce, 1961
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Angelo Lelii "Tre Lune" ceiling lamp for Arredoluce, glass and brass, Italy, 1961 Designed in 1961 by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, the “3 Lune” ceiling lamp embodies the designer’s...
Brass
Rare Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce '12607' Chandelier
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, chandelier, model '12607', polished brass, coated aluminum, coated brass, duplex white opal glass, Italy, 1957 Angelo Lelii designed this beautiful and...
Aluminum, Brass
1969 Angelo Lelii Table lamp, model 500 for Arredoluce, Italy.
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Angelo Lelii Table lamp, model 500 for Arredoluce, Italy, c. 1969 Made from chrome-plated steel, aluminum, enameled aluminum, marble Applied Arredoluce Archives registration label ...
Marble, Aluminum, Steel
Rare Lamp by Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce, circa 1950
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Angelo Lelii was an Italian designer known for his innovative and influential lamp designs in the Mid-20th Century. He co-founded the lighting company Arredoluce in 1943 and became known for his use of simple, functional forms and innovative use of materials. One of his most famous lamp...
Metal, Brass
Angelo Lelli Mid-Century Modern Model "Polifemo" Italian Floor Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Madrid, ES
An iconic floor lamp mod. "Polifemo" designed by Angelo Lelli (Italy, 1911-1979) and edited by Arredoluce, Italy, 1956. Made of lacquered metal with marble, brass and Perspex base. ...
Marble, Brass, Metal
