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Rare Vintage Collectible Italian Polimnia Floor Lamp by Studio BBPR for Artemide

About the Item

Studio BBPR was one of the most relevant professional practices in mid-century Italy. Its founders were Banfi, Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Peressutti and Rogers, and by now you have probably realised where the name of the studio came from. The four fellow architects had met on the desks of Politecnico di Milano in the late 1920s, and by 1932 had already established their creative collaboration. However, they are remember and celebrated for their post-war work, as through their projects they played a fundamental role in the reconstruction of a destroyed Milano. Theirs is the Velasca tower, possibly the most recognisable building in town; as is the Hoepli building, formerly the offices of the Chase Manhattan bank's Italian branch. The BBPRs occasionally worked as designers too; well known is their work for Olivetti, that resulted in the famous "Dattilo" series. Lesser known is instead the series of lamps and lighting fixtures they designed, mostly in collaboration with Italian brand Artemide. The present lamp, a "Polimnia", was designed in 1964 - and indeed manufactured by Artemide. It's a well refinished and extremely detailed floor lamp, manufactured from stainles steel - as opposed to chrome metal, back then the most popular (and cheaper) material. The opaque glass lampshade on top is heavily ribbed, and produces a nice effect of light diffusion. The thin legs almost seem to anticipate the forthcoming space age, with their shape reminiscent of the Apollo lunar module that of course wouldn't come to being before five years. It is extremely well preserved, and presented in all original condition, plug and switch included. It is fully functioning, and has been inspected by a professional electrician to ensure safety of use.

Creator:

Studio BBPR (Designer),Artemide (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 66.93 in (170 cm)Diameter: 11.82 in (30 cm)

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Glass,Metal,Stainless Steel

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

1960-1969

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1965

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.

Seller Location:

Milano, IT

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU7782231495342

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Artemide

Artemide is an iconic firm in the design world. The mid-century Italian company is one of the best known lighting manufacturers and its award-winning fixtures are held in museum collections everywhere. Vintage Artemide table lamps, pendants, ceiling lamps and other lighting represent a thoughtful merge between functionalism and eye-catching design.

Artemide, which is based in Pregnana, was founded by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1959. During that year, Mazza created the first table lamp for the manufacturer — a modernist work in glass, marble and metal that he called the Alfa. Gismondi, who studied aeronautical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan and missile engineering at Rome’s Professional School of Engineering, applied his knowledge of cutting edge technology and materials such as fiberglass resin to Artemide’s designs for lighting and furniture.

In 1967, Artemide won Italy’s Compasso d'Oro design award for its Eclisse table lamp, which was designed by Vico Magistretti two years earlier. Other award-winning fixtures include the Tizio table lamp designed by Richard Sapper and the Tolomeo table lamp.

Designed by Michele de Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the Tolomeo featured the patented George Carwardine mechanism used in the original Anglepoise lamp. De Lucchi would later be recruited to join visionary postmodern design collective the Memphis Group. Artemide’s Gismondi purchased the brand after founder Ettore Sottsass dismantled the collective in 1988, and it was bought by Alberto Bianchi Albrici in 1996.

Artemide’s list of design, innovation, sustainability and other industry awards is long and distinguished. The firm continues to actively collaborate with internationally revered designers and seek out new talent through workshops with design schools. The company’s deeply held values — energy-saving lighting, sustainable design and ethically sourced materials — characterize its current offerings, and Artemide furniture and lighting can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and other institutions.

On 1stDibs, find Artemide tables, seating, floor lamps, chandeliers and more.