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 Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
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
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce ‘Cobra’ Table Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
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
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Chandelier in Hammered Brass
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, chandelier, model 12369, brass, Italy, circa 1951 Angelo Lelii, the creative mind behind Arredoluce, crafted this chandelier with an organic, flowing sh...
Brass
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Brass Chandelier Model 12369, Italy
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Vienna, AT
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, suspension light model 12369, Italy circa 1950-1960 Organic chandelier designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce. The composition unfolds through six leaf...
Brass
Angelo Lelii "Tre Lune" Ceiling Lamp for Arredoluce, 1961
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
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
$7,778
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
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
$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
$42,500
H 30.5 in W 25 in D 22.25 in
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Rare Vela Ceiling Light Model 12385, Italy, 1951
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in New York, NY
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce rare Vela ceiling light, model 12385, in lacquered aluminum, brass and nylon cord, Monza, Italy, circa 1951. The modernist Vela ceiling light is an excep...
Metal, Brass
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
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
Tri-Candle Chandelier by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Hanover, MA
Elegant and understated brass chandelier with three frosted glass candle shades by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce.
Brass
Chandelier mod. 12596, design Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Suspension lamp mod. 12596 with painted aluminum body, polished brass stem and iridescent perspex inserts, designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce in 1957.
Aluminum, Brass
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
