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.
$3,931Sale Price|25% Off
Superstudio Italian Midcentury Gherpe Lamp for Poltronova 1960s
By Superstudio, Poltronova
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
Framed Lithograph 'Catalogo degli Istogrammi d'Architettura', 1969
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
SOFO Modular Chair by Superstudio: Stackable Polyurethane Design
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 Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in Asti, Piemonte
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
$4,294Sale 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
$9,542
H 94.49 in W 17.33 in D 82.68 in
"Pac-Man" Arco Floor Lamp by Superstudio for Poltronova, 1970s
By Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
Arched Floor lamp in metal designed by Superstudio, the plastic globe is in the shape of a pac man and the foot is in marble. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR R...
Marble, Metal
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
Ziba Lounge Chair by Phase Design
By Reza Feiz
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Ziba Lounge and ottoman welcomes you with open arms—sculptural, warm, and familiar. Its generous rounded seat and gently floating backrest are supported by a solid wood cross-fra...
Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
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
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.13 in W 33.63 in D 1.13 in
Framed Lithograph Landscape with View of the Lake and Boats Signed
By Henri Martin
Located in Miami, FL
A very colorful lithograph professionally framed, signed. This interesting work of art is attributed to Bernard Gatner. Will enhance any space. Measures: 26 1/8" H x 33 5/8" W x 1...
Paper
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
$4,574 / set
H 30.71 in W 31.89 in D 36.23 in
Pair of brown corduroy Modular Lounge Chairs by DUX, Sweden, 1970s
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Zevenaar, NL
A highly comfortable and visually understated pair of vintage modular lounge chairs produced by DUX in Sweden during the 1970s. Designed with the relaxed, low-slung proportions that ...
Fabric
Superstudio for Design Centre "Excelsior" Floor Lamp, Italy 1969
By Design Centre, Superstudio
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
Cy Twombly Framed Abstract Gaeta Lithographs Group of 8
By Cy Twombly
Located in Atlanta, GA
Group of Eight Abstract Photolithographs on Vellum by Cy Twombly, from the limited edition "Gaeta" portfolio produced by Hine Editions, San Francisco, CA, circa 1987. They have been ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,245
H 25.5 in W 23 in D 1.5 in
Alberto Giacometti Framed Black and White Limited Lithograph "Annette", 1964
By Alberto Giacometti
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful sketched lithograph by famed Swiss artists/sculptor Alberto Giacometti. The lithograph was printed in Paris by Mourlot Freres in 1964 and was issued in an edition of ...
Paper
From $1,000 / item
+ 1 moreH 27 in W 28 in D 28 in
Gandia Blasco Stack Lounge Chair in Aluminum by Borja Garcia
By Borja García, Gandia Blasco
Located in New York, NY
Stack is Gandiablasco’s most free-and-easy collection of outdoor furniture. Inspired by aesthetics from the world of sailing, it is refreshingly reminiscent of the retro elegance of ...
Aluminum
Sofa Sofo Model by Superstudio for Poltronova, Italy
By Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Sofa in polyurethane with base in molded plastic and upholstery in cotton and viscose. The Sofo is a seat to be placed in a row, like a train, or to be stacked to build solid colored mountains. It is just a block, obtained by means of an “S” cut, from a polyurethane cube, covered with a fabric crossed by two large lines. It is the result of a very simple operation, without waste, neither material nor thought. It is presented as a compact, abstract and colorful object...
Cotton, Plastic
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 Superstudio, Poltronova
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
