Devised by Michele de Lucchi (b. 1951) and Giancarlo Fassina (b. 1935), the provocative Tolomeo table lamp was initially intended as an update on the pantographic table lamp — an effort by the Italian architect-designers to create a fully adjustable, user-centric modern lighting fixture that embodied functionalism as well as high design. The lamp, an all-time best seller for Milan lighting brand Artemide — and, reportedly, the most popular lighting design ever — remains a timeless artifact well into the 21st century, more than 30 years after its debut.
Northern Italy–born de Lucchi and Milan native Fassina designed the Tolomeo lamp prototype in 1986. While de Lucchi’s background was in architecture and industrial design, as is reflected in the functional sleekness of the Tolomeo, he also had a colorful creative history. After moving to Milan in the late 1970s, he befriended Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini and became one of the main activists for the Memphis Group, an unorthodox design collective founded by Sottsass. Fassina, a graduate of the Polytechnic University of Milan, was also a proponent of avant-garde ideas. Conceived with maximum flexibility and adaptability in mind, the Tolomeo table lamp was far more practical than anything else that de Lucchi and Fassina had designed up until that point.
“No desk lamp should make you use two hands to position it,” said de Lucchi. The Tolomeo’s arm and structure are made of extruded aluminum with a weighted steel base and minimal conical shade. Three points in the lamp — at the base, between the arms and at the diffuser — have adjustable nodes that allow the lamp to be positioned at several different heights and angles, and the head can swivel 360 degrees. Lightweight and slim, the Tolomeo table lamp’s forward-looking flexibility defies being limited to one kind of use and can fit into the design of any room.
Since its original conception, Artemide has consistently expanded the Tolomeo family to include a range of sizes and modern innovations such as LED models. The classic Tolomeo table lamp is now available in desk, floor, wall, track and suspension models. Newer flourishes include dimmers, motion sensors for energy conservation and tunable white LED technology, which allows for variation in light intensity and color temperatures. But the Tolomeo table lamp has always been sharp and sophisticated, having won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award for Italian industrial design two years after its 1987 debut. It’s an internationally revered design, then and now.
Model 'Round' Desk Lamp by Michel de Lucchi for Bieffeplast, Italy, 1983
By Bieffeplast, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage table lamp by Beiffeplast, Italy. Bold 1980s design with blue and green enameled metal and textured glass shade. Spiky rubberized light bulb.Dimensions:27 x 25 x 12 cm.Perfec...
Metal
$11,968 / item
De Castelli Existence Consolle by Michele De Lucchi
By DeCastelli, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Available in wall-mounted versions, Existence consolle arose as an overlapping of small, varied boxes, like the experiences to one’s life: a consolle that - as for the totem-bookshel...
Metal
$11,445 / item
Alias 2/377 Indoor Sofa By Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two-seater sofa with structure in lacquered steel. Seat and back covered with fabric or leather. Removable covers. Michele De Lucchi Born in Ferrara in 1951, he graduated in archite...
Aluminum
Coppia Lampade Artemide Tolomeo Micro Pinza, Artemide, Tolomeo, Design
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Milano, MI
coppia lampade ARTEMIDE Tolomeo Micro Pinza - artemide - tolomeo - design Descrizione : ARTEMIDE – Tolomeo Micro Pinza Led è realizzata interamente ...
Metal
$2,985 / item
H 29.53 in W 37.8 in D 4.73 in
Oceanic Table Lamp USA 110 Volts, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collec
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the US wired (110v), Oceanic Table Lamp made in metal and glass, designed in 1981, by Michele De Lucchi. EU Version 220v availabl...
Metal
$2,900
H 30 in W 26 in D 24.5 in
Set of Four Tripod Memphis Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele de Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set of four steel and wood dining chairs from the Memphis period in the manner of Italian designer Michele De Lucchi. Newly powder coated satin black and the seat and bac...
Steel
$6,700 / set
H 30 in W 26 in D 24.5 in
Set of Six Memphis Tripod Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A set of six Memphis dining chairs in the manner of Michele de Lucchi. The steel frame is powder coated black and the seat and back are white pick...
Steel
Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 25' Table Lamp for Artemide
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 25' table lamp for Artemide. 'Dioscuri' is a timeless fixture that diffuses a heavenly light. This multipurpose lamp features a minimalistic design that...
Steel
Tolomeo Micro Table Lamp by Giancarlo Fassina, Michele De Lucchi for Artemide
By Artemide, Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Tolomeo Micro Table Lamp provides superb task lighting in a design that is 40 percent smaller than the classic size. Designed by Michele D...
Aluminum
Firmamento Milano Small Equilibrio Table Lamp by Michele De Lucchi
By Firmamento Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Please note that VAT is not included in the price. The only way to deceive gravity is balance” MDL Table lamp in two sizes distinguished by the opaline blown glass diffuser that see...
Steel
Small Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 14' Table Lamp for Artemide
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 14' table lamp for Artemide. 'Dioscuri' is a timeless fixture that diffuses a heavenly light. This multipurpose lamp features a minimalistic desig...
Steel
$2,985 / item
H 29.53 in W 37.8 in D 4.73 in
Oceanic Table Lamp 'EU' 220 Volts, by Michele De Lucchi from Memphis, Milano
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired, oceanic table lamp made in metal and glass, designed in 1981, by Michele De Lucchi. US version 110v also available ...
Metal
Yoroi Cabinet in Brass by De Castelli
By DeCastelli
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Alessandro Masturzo Like the hard metal sheets that identify the armor of a samurai, the scales on the skin of this piece define its appearance. A dynamic shape, taking on the evocative strength of Art Deco furnishings, plays with the essentialism of an ellipse and modular repetition, balanced between minimalism and marvel. With a natural oak frame covered in De Castelli...
Brass
Artemide Tolomeo Desk Lamp.
By Artemide
Located in Nantwich, GB
This Artemide Tolomeo dest lamp was designed by both Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 1987 as a reinterpretation of the lighting used in factories during the age of industrialism.The Artemide Tolomeo is both flexible and functional and is one of the worlds most iconic designs. The combination of the cantilevered arm and weighted base ensures smooth movement and a precise distribution of light. The light can be adjusted and the structure holds stable in every position. The Tolomeo has won various design awards including the IF Product Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award and the prestigious Compasso dOro.
Metal
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli Dimensions: W 90 x D 45 x H 155 cm Materials: DeMarea Stainless Steel, Titanium Oak Wood Brass and Copper versions also avai...
Stainless Steel
$3,650
H 29.93 in W 86.62 in D 25.99 in
Michele De Lucchi & Silvia Suardi for Poltrona Frau Daybed in Leather
By Michele de Lucchi, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Michele De Lucchi e Silvia Suardi for Poltrona Frau, daybed part of the series 'Piazza di Spagna', leather, wood, Italy, production 2000-2009 This limited edition daybed is created ...
Leather, Wood
Artemide Mega Tolomeo Italian Floor Lamp by M. De Lucchi & G. Gassina
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Icon of Italian design and the result of the brainchild of designers Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the Tolomeo lamp was launched on the market in 1987. This particular lam...
Metal
Tolomeo Mega Terra Floor Lamp by De Lucchi & Fassina for Artemide
By Michele de Lucchi, Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic example of Italian industrial design, the Tolomeo Mega Terra Floor Lamp was designed in 1987 by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide, blending precision eng...
Aluminum
Sold
H 124.81 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Michele De Lucchi for Artemide Tolomeo Mega Silver and Cream Floor Lamp
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 2002 and manufactured by Artemide, the Tolomeo mega floor lamp has since beco...
Aluminum
Michele De Lucchi for Artemide Tolomeo Floor Lamp, Italy
By Michele de Lucchi, Artemide
Located in Naples, IT
Tolomeo is a floor lamp of medium to large dimensions. An important floor lamp for a large living room or lounge where the movable arms allow customisation of the lamp's inclination.
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 78.75 in W 53.94 in L 78.75 in
Lamp Tolomea Mega Terra De Lucchi Fassina Artemide Metal, Italy, 2000s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Milano, IT
Floor lamp, metal, aluminium, fabric diffuser.
Metal, Aluminum
