Italian Pendant Lamp by Vinicio Vianello for Vistosi Murano

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Italian Pendant Lamp by Vinicio Vianello for Vistosi Murano

About the Item

Italian pendant lamp or lantern by Vinicio Vianello for Vistosi, Murano, Italy. Marked with the labels: Made in Italy Murano and Vistosi. Dimensions: Total height from ceiling till drop: 22.8 inches (58 cm). Diameter 8.3 inches (21 cm). The fixture is equipped with a small Edison screw socket (SES), (E17 14-17 mm) max 60 watt. The electric parts are in very good condition, works in the USA. At first glance, this is already a beautiful Mid Century pendant lamp. But on closer inspection, the very ingenious design also stands out. The shade consists of two double-walled glass parts blown into a mould. Together, these two halves, which are held together by means of a clamping system, form a decagonal prism that shines the light in different directions. The electrical system that Vinicio Vianello developed for this lamp is just as special. Instead of a cable, Vianello used an electrified - and of course insulated - rod to which the lighting element can be clicked. The modular design also makes it possible to link several lighting elements together. Vianello acquired a patent for this unique system in 1957. (A somewhat similar system was used by Albini, Helg and Piva in their lamps for Sirrah more than ten years later) Vinicio Vianello (1923-1999) was a very versatile and somewhat mysterious (glass) artist, designer, architect and inventor. He had his formal education as a painter at the Academy of Fine Art in his hometown of Venice. Although Vianello also continued to paint, it was around this time that he started experimenting with glass: in itself a logical step for a born Venetian. With a number of asymmetrical vases blown by the great master Alfredo Barbini, Vianello broke through in 1951 at both the Venice Biennale and the Milan Triennale. In 1957 he managed to win both the Grand Prix at the Triennale and the Compasso d'Oro with a series of vases blown by Galliano Ferro. In addition to the success of his vases, Vianello also proved to be a very talented lighting designer: not only for individual lamps, but also for complete lighting plans for large (public) spaces. Ranging from the cruise ship Leonardo Da Vinci to the headquarters of the Italian public broadcasting company. And from the Italian presidential villa in Tuscany to the monument to the unknown soldier, in illuminated Murano glass, in Baghdad. As mentioned, Vianello was not only a gifted designer, but also a prominent artist. He joined the Spatialism movement of Lucio Fontana, whom he had already met in Milan in the late 1940s. The mutual influence between the two artists is especially evident in their neon sculptures. Besides, Vianello curated a number of (international) exhibitions in the field of Venetian glass and, together with Franco Albini and Carlo Scarpa, he initiated an experimental training for industrial designers in his native city. Literature: Cf. L.M. Barbero (ed.), Vinicio Vianello: Pittura, vetro e design (Milan 2004), p. 137-139 As electrical requirements vary from country to country, we recommend that you always have lights checked and installed by a local professional.

Creator:
Vinicio Vianello (Designer),Vistosi (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 22.84 in (58 cm)Width: 8.27 in (21 cm)Depth: 8.27 in (21 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Blown Glass,Metal,Murano Glass
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1960
Condition:
Seller Location:
JM Haarlem, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU930327895382

Shop All Vistosi

Vistosi

Demonstrative of a unique marriage between artistry and technical excellence, Vistosi lighting fixtures were born from a rich Italian glassmaking tradition. The prolific glass manufacturer came to prominence after World War II for its modernist lighting designs, and today Vistosi is known for opulent chandeliers, lamps and sconces.

The history of Vistosi reaches as far back as 1640, when the Gazzabin family of Murano opened a furnace for producing Murano glass art. "Vistoso," which was originally a nickname, became part of the family's surname and eventually the name “Vistosi” was used to refer to the family’s glass creations.

Vistosi would be recognized by the glassmakers’ guild in Murano during the late 18th century — with Gio-Batta Vistosi becoming head of the guild — but Napoleon dissolved the Venetian state and closed the region’s glass factories by 1807. The modern iteration of the Vistosi company was founded in Murano in 1945 by Guglielmo Vistosi, a Gazzabin family heir.

During the 1950s, Vistosi's grandchildren, Gino and Luciano Vistosi, began specializing in lighting. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the company worked with renowned Italian furniture designers like Adalberto Dal Lago, Ettore Sottsass and Gae Aulenti. One of Vistosi's most famous collaborations was with Italian architect and designer Angelo Mangiarotti. In 1967, Mangiarotti designed a modular crystal-hook lighting system called Giogali that has enjoyed popularity and acclaim to this day.

In 1989, Vistosi was taken over by businessman Giancarlo Moretti, who had an extensive background in the lighting industry. Moretti's son, Matteo Moretti, reinvigorated the business with a series of new design collaborations in 1993. Some of the most notable partnerships included Chiaramonte and Marin, Mauro Olivieri and Michele De Lucchi.

Vistosi has participated in every Euroluce showcase since the lighting exhibition began in 1976. In 2005, the company won the ADI Design Index award for Mangiarotti's Giogali system. In 2007, Vistosi won the Eurispes award and participated in a Compasso d'Oro competition.

Today, Vistosi is still a leader in the lighting industry, shifting to LED and creating new types of lead-free crystal glass for its stunning range of lighting fixtures.

Find a collection of vintage Vistosi lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.