Rare Counterweight Suspension by Gino Sarfatti / Arteluce, 1938 Mod. No. 2007
About the Item
- Creator:Arteluce (Manufacturer),Gino Sarfatti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 98.43 in (250 cm)Diameter: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1938
- Condition:Rewired: Fabric cable is renewed. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Niederdorfelden, DE
- Reference Number:
Gino Sarfatti
That a spiky, futuristic chandelier named “Sputnik,” which was highly suggestive of the Soviet satellite of the same name, designed by an Italian engineer could predate the space age and the satellite’s launch by a few decades is the stuff of legend. But in 1939, Venetian-born Gino Sarfatti channeled his obsession with light and expert engineering skills into a design so bold it predicted the future. He would go on to design around 700 lighting products in his lifetime — each table lamp, wall light, pendant and chandelier superb and unorthodox in shape.
Sarfatti’s singular focus on creating opulent lighting designs that were rational in their use of resources makes him one of the most innovative lighting designers in history. He was studying to be an aeronautical engineer at the University of Genoa when his family’s financial troubles led him to drop out and move to Milan to help. During this time, he built a lamp for a friend using a coffee machine’s electric components and a glass vase. This exercise sparked his fascination with lighting, and he went on to found Arteluce in 1939. What followed was a period of working with skilled artisans and tinkering with materials instead of sketching. The self-taught designer soon established himself as a creator of provocative, sculptural luxury lighting. Through the company, he collaborated with some of the 20th century’s most influential designers, such as Vittoriano Viganò, who worked on Arteluce lighting between 1946 and 1960. In the 1950s and ’70s, Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Ico Parisi and Massimo Vignelli all contributed designs.
Sarfatti used resources mindfully and injected functionality into everything he designed. His light fixtures were lightweight, easy to take apart and reassemble and could be affordably repaired. This marriage of utilitarianism and glamour lent Sarfatti’s designs a clean, minimal yet arresting splendor, based on their graphical forms and construction.
After World War II, Sarfatti embraced new wiring technologies and materials like plexiglass, such as his 1972 project with Carlo Mollino that filled the Teatro Regio in Turin with hundreds of plexiglass pipes. In 1973, Sarfatti sold Arteluce to FLOS. His foresight, invention and fearlessness as a designer are revered to this day.
Find a collection of vintage Gino Sarfatti lighting now on 1stDibs.
Arteluce
The lighting maker Arteluce was one of the companies at the heart of the creative explosion in postwar Italian design. The firm’s founder and guiding spirit, Gino Sarfatti (1912–85), was an incessant technical and stylistic innovator who almost single-handedly reinvented the chandelier as a modernist lighting form.
Sarfatti attended the University of Genoa to study aeronautical engineering but was forced to drop out when his father’s company went out of business. His mechanical instincts led him to turn his attention to lighting design — and he founded Arteluce as a small workshop in Milan in 1939. Sarfatti’s father was a Jew, so the family fled to Switzerland in 1943, but after the war — largely thanks to Sarfatti’s insistence on efficiency of design and manufacture — Arteluce quickly established itself as a top firm. Though Sarfatti continued as chief designer through the 1950s and ’60s, he also enlisted other designers such as Franco Albini and Massimo Vignelli to contribute work. Sarfatti sold Arteluce to FLOS — a rival Italian lighting maker — in 1973 and retired to pursue a more traditional avocation: collecting and dealing rare postage stamps.
Sarfatti is regarded by many collectors as a pioneer of minimalist design. He pared down his lighting works to their essentials, focusing on practical aspects such as flexibility of use. His most famous light, the 2097 chandelier, is a brilliant example of reductive modernist design, featuring a central cylinder from which branches numerous supporting fixtures extending like spokes on a wheel. Similarly, his 566 table lamp is a simple canister, able to be raised or lowered on a stem, holding a half-chrome bulb. Despite the marked functionality of his designs, Sarfatti did have a sprightly side: His 534 table lamp, with its cluster of rounded enameled shades, resembles a vase full of flowers, the Sputnik chandelier (model 2003) was inspired by fireworks and the brightly colored plastic disks of the 2072 chandelier look like lollipops. No matter the style, Sarfatti concentrated first and foremost on the character of light created — and any Arteluce lamp is a modernist masterpiece.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Niederdorfelden, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1950s, Italy, Gino Sarfatti attr. Pendant Lamp, ArteluceBy Gino SarfattiLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant mid century pendant designed by Gino Sarfatti (attr.) for Arteluce. The lamp is made of a white plastic ring with black metal rods and frame. The lamp emits smooth indirect l...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- 1950s, Italy, Gino Sarfatti attr. Flush Mount ArteluceBy Gino SarfattiLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenMid century flush mount designed by Gino Sarfatti attr. for Arteluce. The ceiling fixture is made of a white plastic overlay with black metal rods and frame. The lamp emits a lot of indirect light downwards. Made in Italy, the 1950s. Measures: approx. 19.6" x 19.6" x 5.9" in. (appr. 50 x 50 x 15 cm). Takes three large Edison E27/E26 base screw bulbs. Condition: very good vintage condition. The lamp has been tested with US American light bulbs under 120v and works flawlessly, no tools or rewiring required. All our goods are originally wired for 220v. Delivery without bulbs. We have a matching hanging lamp...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Spiral Brass Chandelier Designed in Italy by Gino Sarfatti, 1950sBy Gino SarfattiLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant chandelier by Gino Sarfatti with 18 radiating brass arms and sockets, an early production from the 1950s. Measures: diameter 27.5“ in. (70 cm), height 27.5“ in. (70 cm), in...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Stilnovo 37" Brass Chandelier in the manner of Gino Sarfatti, Italy 1950sBy Stilnovo, Gino SarfattiLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenSpectacular large chandelier with 24 curved brass arms ending with black lampholders. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of light. Gem from the time. With this light...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Ezio Didone “Mira S” UFO Pendant Light for Arteluce / Flos, Italy, 1990sBy Arteluce, Ezio DidoneLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenPostmodern UFO or flying saucer pendant light giving diffused upward and downward light. Designed in the 1990s by Ezio Didone and manufactured by Arteluce (in those years division of...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- 1960 Italy Vistosi Sputnik Chandelier Murano Glass & Chrome by Gino VistosiBy Gino VistosiLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant sputnik chandelier with handblown white and clear shaped Murano glass petals on a chromed frame. Designed by Gino Vistosi. Manufactured by Vistosi, Italy in the 1960s. Desi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Gino Sarfatti, Rare Murano glass chandelier mod. 2119 by Arteluce. Italy 1961By Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in Catania, CTBlack and white lacquered metal, nylon, glasses mod. 2119 ceiling light by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. Designed in 1961. Original vintage condition with normal trace of age and use b...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Vintage Chandelier by Gino Sarfatti for ArteLuce, 1930sBy Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful and rare chandelier by Gino Sarfatti for the fine manufacture ArteLuce designed in the '30s. The chandelier is made of white painted aluminum. The structure of the chandeli...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum
- Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Mod.2042/3 Ceiling Lamp, Italy 1960sBy Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in Naples, ITRare ceiling lamp model 2042/3 designed by Gino Sarfatti and produced by Arteluce, Italy 1960. This version of the 2042 lamp has a gilded metal frame and 3 glass globes that produce ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Rare Sputnik Chandelier Model 2003By Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in 1939, rare 'Fuoco d'artificio' chandelier model 2003 executed in the 1950s, Italy. This 24-light sputnik ceiling light is composed of tubula...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Chandelier #2042/3 by Gino Sarfatti for ArteluceBy Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in New York, NYThis ceiling light in the model 2042/3 was made by Arteluce Milano, designed by Gino Sarfatti. Condition is excellent and bares the original label of "Arteluce".Category
Mid-20th Century Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- rare variation of the famous 2065 by gino sarfatti for arteluceBy Arteluce, Gino SarfattiLocated in Munich, DEvery rare 2065 arteluce ceiling lamp by gino sarfatti. absolutely futuristic design for it´s date of birth. an 1950 icon in an very rare variation. wonderful patinated brass - inste...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass