Illumination is an interactive act with the 1967 Gherpe lamp from Superstudio. Six interlocking arcs fold out to make a shape reminiscent of a nautilus shell, albeit one far from the natural world. The overlapping layers of translucent plastic create shadows as well as project the light — a playful use of new technology to generate an unexpected visual.
Founded in Florence in 1966 by Adolfo Natalini (1941–2020) and Cristiano Torlado di Francia (1941–2019), Superstudio was a major presence in the Italian Radical design movement that emerged in the latter half of the decade. Alongside groups like Archizoom, Ziggurat and UFO, Superstudio approached design as a form of social commentary, specifically reacting to a commodification of life they perceived as having been promoted by the capitalism of 20th-century modernism. Superstudio was particularly critical of the uniformity that had arisen from an emphasis on industry, function and utility, as well as a disregard for vernacular architecture, all of which they confronted in their seminal 1969 project “Il Monumento Continuo,” or “The Permanent Monument,” a gridded superstructure that they envisioned would consume the whole world in blocky blandness.
The Gherpe lamp exemplifies Superstudio’s provocative work in exhibitions, projects and domestic objects that challenged the dominant perspective of design and embraced the vibrancy of 1960s pop culture. Produced by Italian furniture manufacturer Poltronova, it puts the quality of light in the hands of the user. Closing the lamp’s mollusk-like shell exposes the bright white of its bulb, while opening its “leaves” yields a colorful statement on how design can alter space.
$4,211Sale Price|20% Off
1970s "Gherpe" Table Lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova – Italian Radical Design
By Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in BARCELONA, ES
"Gherpe" table lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova The "Gherpe" table lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova, created in the 60s, is a groundbreaking example of Italian Radical Design. ...
Acrylic
$4,118Sale Price|20% Off
Superstudio Italian Midcentury Gherpe Lamp for Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova, Superstudio
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Lampada da tavolo modello Gherpe disegnata da Superstudio per Poltronova con struttura e diffusori in metacrilato tagliato e termoformato e particolari in metallo, produzione Italia ...
Metal
SUPERSTUDIO Lithograph "Catalogo degli Istogrammi d'Architettura"
By Superstudio
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Very Rare Framed Lithograph by the preeminent Italian Intellectual Architectural Practice. Lithograph "Catalogo degli Istogrammi d'Architettura," 1969 Signed, stamped and numbered ...
Paper
POLTRONOVA / SUPERSTUDIO "SOFO" Modular Chair(s) / Stackable 1968
By Superstudio
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
SOFO is a seat to place in a row, like a train, or to stack to build solid, colorful mountains. It is simply a block made with an S—shaped cut from a cube of polyurethane, covered wi...
Fabric, Upholstery
Table Lamp Gherpe Model by Superstudio for Poltronova, Italy
By Poltronova, Superstudio
Located in Milan, Italy
Lamp in cut and thermoformed Pespex, with plates and fittings in polished steel and knobs in turned nylon. The Gherpe lamp does not belong to the tradit...
Aluminum
Midcentury Wicker and Rattan Italian Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury wicker and rattan table lamp. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1960s. Having a wicker lampshade, the light diffusion is incredibly warm and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Straw, Rattan
Vintage Richard Anuszkiewicz Lithograph
By Richard Anuskiewicz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Richard Anuszkiewicz lithograph, 1970: Title: "Yellow Reversed". Off-set lithograph in colors. Size: 11.25 x 16.75 inches. Center fold-line as originally issued; Very goo...
Paper
Raymond Pettibon Lithograph
By Raymond Pettibon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Raymond Pettibon "Getting me out the Door" Measures: 18" x 22 1/2" No frame.
Paper
Marcel Mouly abstract colorful lithograph
By Marcel Mouly
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a wonderful colorful abstract lithograph 88/200 by French artist Marcel Mouly and signed on bottom right corner
Paper
Superstudio for Design Centre "Excelsior" Floor Lamp, Italy 1969
By Superstudio, Design Centre
Located in Naples, IT
Floor lamp mod. Excelsior with chrome-plated metal frame and coloured glass diffusers. Prod. Francesconi for Design Centre, Italy, 1969. Small crack on one of the spheres.
Chrome
Midcentury Table Lamp/Napako, 1960s
By Napako
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of metal, chrome Re-polished Fully functional Original condition.
Metal
Joan Miró Lithographs
By Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. Only the lithograph in the center is available. The lithographs on the right and left have been sold. We purchased a gr...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Midcentury Red Table Lamp, Lumen, Italy, 1960s
By Lumen
Located in Firenze, IT
Midcentury table lamp. Lumen, Milano Italy, 1960s Brass, metal Measures: H 47 cm x 37 x 21 cm Conditions: Very good consistent with age and use.
Aluminum, Brass
Table Lamp Model 243 by Ostuni & Forti for Oluce, Italy, 1950s
By Giuseppe Ostuni
Located in Brussels, BE
Table lamp model 243 by Ostuni & Forti for Oluce, Italy, 1950s.
Metal
$4,445
H 35.04 in W 27.96 in D 39.38 in
Rattan Lounge Chair by Roche Bobois, Maugrion, Leather Trim, 1968
By Roche Bobois
Located in Salzburg, AT
Dynamic rattan lounge chair manufactured by Maugrion for Roche Bobois' “Le Rotin Prestige” collection. The high-quality bamboo with leather trim reflects the natural design of the ...
Velvet
Restored Rare Full Stacked Rattan Lowboy Lounge Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare Vintage 1970s full stacked rattan lowboy lounge chair featuring a cubist design made entirely of stacked steam-bent pole rattan with rattan along th...
Rattan
Joan Miró Lithographs
By Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple t...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Sold
H 14.97 in W 12.21 in D 20.87 in
Poltronova - Gherpe Light + Luminous Object - 1968 by Superstudio, Italy
By Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in Munster, NRW
Gherpe light, 1968 by Superstudio for Poltronova, Italy. The Gherpe table lamp does not belong to the traditional typologies of lighting fixtures placed on a surface, due to its for...
Acrylic
Superstudio Early Gherpe Table Lamp, Francesconi, Italy, c.1967
By Superstudio
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Superstudio Early Gherpe Table Lamp, Francesconi, Italy, c.1967. Superstudio Designers: Gian Piero Frassinelli, Alessandro Magris, Roberto Magris...
Metal
Early Edition Gherpe Table Lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova
By Superstudio
Located in Brussels, BE
Early Edition Gherpe Table Lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova
Plastic
Sold
H 15 in W 21 in D 12.25 in
Superstudio early Production Gherpe Lamp by Francesconi for Poltronova in pink
By Poltronova, Superstudio
Located in Skokie, IL
Offered is a extremely nice early example of the Gherpe lamp design in 1967 by Superstudio and manufactured by Francesconi, Ronacadelle for Design Centre Poltronova, Italy, 1960s Ad...
Acrylic
