Like the animal for which it is named, Gae Aulenti’s 1965 Pipistrello, which means “bat” in Italian, is a lamp that’s both graceful and skeletal. With its translucent shade and telescopic stem, the Pipistrello merges art and engineering. Designing her iconic lamp wasn’t Aulenti’s only project at the time; she was also teaching at the School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan and running her architecture practice, which she founded in 1954.
In addition to architecture, Aulenti (1927–2012) was also interested in interior design, especially so when she joined the staff of design magazine Casabella in 1955. She would later go on to join the American Society of Interior Designers. The Pipistrello is a testament to both Aulenti’s architectural training as well as her foray into interior decoration. Its telescopically adjustable steel stem, set atop a lacquered aluminum base, renders it a practical and versatile table lamp. The acrylic shade, meanwhile, is sculptural and dynamic, with its overlapping arches suggesting mid-flight movement. Aulenti’s choice of material — white opal methacrylate, a translucent acrylic — makes for an enchanting glow when the light is on and hides the lamp’s inner workings when it’s off.
Despite her lasting legacy, Aulenti championed an understated approach to interiors and architecture, espousing the belief that a room’s human occupants should be the focus rather than any design piece. In an interview with Vogue, she said that her "advice to whoever asks me how to make a home is to not have anything, just a few shelves for books, some pillows to sit on.”
Aulenti’s second bit of advice, though, is an embodiment of her legacy and commitment to lasting design: “To take a stand against the ephemeral, against passing trends . . . and to return to lasting values." Light, function and durability — what could be more lasting than those?
The Pipistrello was manufactured by Milanese design house Martinelli Luce, which would become famous for the Cobra desk lamp a few years later, and it remains in production today.
Gae Aulenti White Pipistrello Table or Floor Lamp by Martinelli Luce 1965
By Martinelli Luce, Gae Aulenti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Pipistrello table or floor lamp with a base in white lacquered aluminum, extensible telescopic structure in stainless steel, and white opal methacrylate diffuser. It was designed by ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Iron
Martinelli Luce LED Minipipistrello 620/J Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mini version of the Pipistrello lamp designed by Gae Aulenti in 1965. Table lamp diffused lighting. Glazed stainless steel structure, white opal methacrylate diffuser. Base and knob...
Stainless Steel
Martinelli Luce Dimmable LED Pipistrello 620 Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1965 by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, the lamp is made with innovative techniques for the diffuser in methacrylate for the time in which it was designed. The shape of ...
Stainless Steel
Pipistrello Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage and iconic table lamp realized for Martinelli Luce in 1965 and manufactured in 1970. Rare first edition. Enameled aluminum, stainless steel, and opaline methacrylate Adju...
Aluminum
Gae Aulenti Table Lamps Model Pipistrello Produced by Martinelli Luce
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair and tall table lamps model Pipistrello designed by Gae Aulenti. Produced by Martinelli Luce in Italy. Height: 71-87 cm.
Metal
Gad Aulenti Table Lamp for Artemide
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Pileino" is a small, versatile table lamp that allows the user to change both light intensity and direction by positioning the shade. Designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide in 197...
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Gold for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in gold for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mi...
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in white for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the...
Metal
Postmodern Vertebrae Floor Lamp by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce
By Elio Martinelli
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1980s Postmodern Vertebrae floor lamp by Elio Martinelli Flex floor lamp, also known as Vertebrae, Model 2164 by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce. The lamp is full flexible with swivel shade. Organic shape of the flexible arm is similar to a human spine. First designed for the Turin exhibition 1970. metal base and bracket, "backbone" body movable in both rotation and bending, Condition: Good working order, minor scratches to hood and some cracks (Please see pictures) Given the age, this vintage lamp in good condition, normal usage by age. Normal cap into E27 / Max. 100W. Material: plastic, aluminum, metal and chrome. Marked: Martinelli Luce. Martinelli Flex desk lamp...
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Black for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in black for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Green for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in green for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
From $495 / item
+ 4 moreH 11.03 in Dm 8.67 in
Martinelli Luce Elmetto 685 Table Lamp by Elio Martinelli
By Martinelli Luce, Elio Martinelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp indirect light. Adjustable reflector with inside screen made of aluminum painted in white. Molded resin structure in the new golden color. Also available in the series-pro...
Resin
Martinelli Luce Cobra 629 Table Lamp by Elio Martinelli
By Martinelli Luce, Elio Martinelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Reading lamp with direct light, made with two resin molded bodies, white or black color. For the 50th anniversary of its production, a new red version of th...
Resin
From $350 / item
H 7.88 in Dm 6.3 in
Martinelli Luce Civetta 804 Table Lamp in White Structure by Emiliana Martinelli
By Martinelli Luce, Emiliana Martinelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp, diffused and indirect light. Tubolar Aluminum structure in white color, upper satin methacrylate finish diffuser in white or orange color. Technical specifications: M...
Aluminum
Gae Aulenti lamp - Italy 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti - Fontanat Arte Production Large "Giova" model table lamp - circa 1970 Chromed metal base supporting three blown glass elements. The last pink soaped element can be use...
Glass
Black Pipistrello Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, 1960s
By Martinelli Luce, Gae Aulenti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black metal and plastic lamp from the 60s designed by Gae Aulenti. Height-adjustable min: 70 cm max: 90 cm Stamped under the lamp. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US...
Metal
"Pileino" Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
White Metal lamp. Stamped Gae Aulenti, Artemide on the underside. The shade is adjustable. Wear due to time and age.
Metal
Large Vintage Pipistrello Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Toronto, CA
With its telescoping stem and signature batwing shade, the Pipistrello lamp by Gae Aulenti is a true icon of 20th-century Italian design. This version in soft cream feels especially ...
Stainless Steel
Large 1970s Gae Aulenti Pipistrello Table Lamp for Martinelli Luce, Italy
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This rare large-size Pipistrello table lamp was designed by acclaimed Italian architect Gae Aulenti and produced by Martinelli Luce in the 1970s. A true icon of Italian modernism, th...
Metal, Aluminum
Large 1970's Gae Aulenti Pipistrello model 620
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Diest, BE
Large Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce. Designed in 1965, this current production comes with a white opal methacrylate diffuser and a base made of glossy bl...
Metal
Sold
H 33.86 in Dm 19.69 in
"Pipistrello" Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, First Edition, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A truly iconic piece of Italian design history, this original Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti was created in 1965 for Martinelli Luce and remains an emblem of Italian mid-centu...
Metal, Aluminum
Grande Pipistrello by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
Stunning and iconic ''Pipistrello'' floor or table lamp model 620, ca. 1970. All original. Rare as a vintage piece; these lamps are still available new but a 1970s one is more sought...
Stainless Steel
Gae Aulenti Table Lamp, Italy, 1960
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Culver City, CA
Gae Aulenti Table Lamp Italy, 1960 Pipistrello table lamp originally produced in 1965 by Martinelli Luce. 20.5”dia x 35”h ( fully extended ) Ref. L1095
Metal
Lampada Pipistrello di Gae Aulenti per Martinelli Luce prima edizione
By Gae Aulenti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Torino, IT
Lampada Pipistrello di Gae Aulenti per Martinelli Luce. Iconica lampada da tavolo Pipistrello progettata nel 1965 per gli showroom Olivetti di Parigi e Buenos Aires. Disegnata dall...
Metal
Gae Aulenti, Pipistrello Table Lamp for Martinelli Luce, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in London, GB
Gae Aulenti was one of the most influential and prolific Italian architects and designers of the post-war period. An advocate of the Neoliberty movement, she is remembered for the in...
Metal
Pair of "Pipistrello" Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large model "Pipistrello" table lamps by Gae Aulenti. Designed for Martinelli Luce. Lamps are height adjustable featuring an extendable telescopic neck. Marked under base....
Metal
Gae Aulenti 'Pipistrello' lamp for Martinelli Luce
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Large table lamp model 'Pipistrello' designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Martinelli Luce from 1965. A height-adjustable lamp using a steel telescope, it features a white painted ...
Aluminum, Steel
Pipistrello Lamp By Gae Aulenti Circa 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Gloucester, GB
Pipistrello Lamp By Gae Aulenti Circa 1970s - White opal methacrylate shade - Telescopic brushed steel stem - Black base - Takes 4x E1...
Steel
"Pipistrello" Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce in white enamel with a glazed stainless steel telescope base that allows this lamp to ...
Metal
