Large Massive Italian Glass Egg Lamp on Travertine Base by Ben Swildens
About the Item
- Creator:Ben Swildens (Designer),Fontana Arte (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Diameter: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Voltage:110-150v
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Space Age (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Rewired. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU936636807102
Fontana Arte
Best known for its elegant and innovative vintage lighting fixtures, the Milan-based firm Fontana Arte pioneered one of the key features of 20th-century and contemporary Italian design: the union of artistry and industry wrought by partnerships between creative talents — chiefly architects — and entrepreneurial businesses. Fontana Arte is further distinguished by having had as artistic director, in succession, four of Italy’s most inventive modernist designers: Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, French transplant Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti.
The bread and butter of the glassmaking company that Luigi Fontana founded in 1881 was plate-glass panels for the construction industry. In 1930, Fontana met Ponti — then the artistic director of the Richard Ginori ceramics workshop and the editor of the influential magazine Domus — at a biannual design exhibition that became the precursor to today’s Milan Design Triennale, and the two hatched an idea for a furniture and housewares firm. Fontana Arte was incorporated in 1932 with Ponti as its chief of design. He contributed several lamps that remain among the company’s signature works, including the orb-atop-cone Bilia table lamp and the 0024 pendant — a stratified hanging sphere.
The following year, Fontana Arte partnered with the influential Milan studio glassmaker and retailer Pietro Chiesa, who took over as artistic director. Chiesa’s designs for lighting — as well as for tables and items including vases and ashtrays — express an appreciation for fluidity and simplicity of line, as seen in works such as his flute-shaped Luminator floor lamp and the 1932 Fontana table — an arched sheet of glass that is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Six years after Chiesa’s 1948 death, the École des Beaux Arts–trained Max Ingrand took over as head of design at Fontana Arte. Ingrand brought a similarly expressive formal sensibility to wares such as lamps and mirrors, but he also had a masterful eye for the manipulation of glass surfaces — whether they be cut, frosted, acid-etched or sand-blasted. His classic design is the Fontana table lamp of 1954, which has a truncated cone shade and curved body, both of which are made of pure, chic white-frosted glass.
Following Ingrand, the often-audacious Italian architect Gae Aulenti served as the company’s artistic director from 1979 to 1996, and while she generally insisted that furnishings take second place aesthetically to architecture, she made an exception for Fontana Arte pieces such as the Tavolo con Ruote series of glass coffee and dining tables on wheels, bold lighting pieces such as the Parola series and the Giova, a combination flower vase and table lamp. As a key incubator of modern design under Aulenti’s tenure, Fontana Arte remained true to its long-held commitment — creating objects that have never been less than daring.
Find vintage Fontana Arte lighting fixtures such as pendants, table lamps and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Large MCM Ceramic Table Lamp on Walnut BaseLocated in San Diego, CALarge MCM ceramic table lamp on walnut base, circa 1960s. The lamp is in very good working condition and measures 8"D x 35"H (to the top of the...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
- Postmodern Italian Solid Travertine Table LampBy Fratelli MannelliLocated in San Diego, CAPostmodern Italian solid travertine table lamp, circa 1980s. The lamp is in good vintage condition and the travertine base measures 4"W x 4"D x ...Category
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine
- Large "Flame" Table Lamp in Bronze on Lucite Base by E.F. Chapman StudiosBy E. F. ChapmanLocated in San Diego, CALarge stylized "Flame" table lamp in bronze on lucite base by E.F. Chapman Studios, circa 1970s. The stunning twisted solid brass form evokes a tall flame mounted on a base of lucite...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Striking Milk Glass Antique Street Lamp Base by Westinghouse Table LampBy WestinghouseLocated in San Diego, CAOne-of-a-kind massive table base lamp by Westinghouse, milk glass converted into street lamp, circa 1940s, large and beautiful rewired double head socket and lamp base illuminates al...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Copper
- Postmodern Chrome & Glass Desk table Lamp by Fontana ArteBy Fontana ArteLocated in San Diego, CAGreat post-modern design double ceramic socket on this fabulous desk lamp, designed by Fontana Arte Italy, circa 1980s excellent condition we polished the chrome the beveled thick gl...Category
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- Glazed Ceramic Studio Pottery Table Lamp on Walnut Base by MoorcroftBy Moorcroft PotteryLocated in San Diego, CAA glazed ceramic studio pottery table lamp with floral motif on walnut base by Moorcroft Pottery, circa 1970s. The lamp measures 5.75"D x 24"H (to top of finial; 17"h to the top of l...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Ben Swildens For Fontana Arte “Uovo” or Egg Table Lamp, Italy 1970sBy Ben Swildens, Fontana ArteLocated in Naples, ITUovo' table lamp, an elegant shape made of satinised white blown glass, which uniformly diffuses a warm and enveloping light.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsGlass
- Pair of Ben Swildens “Uovo” or Egg Table Lamps for Fontana ArteBy Ben Swildens, Fontana ArteLocated in Miami, FLPair of Uovo or Egg table lamps designed by Ben Swildens for Fontana Arte rendered in hand blown white glass with a white perforated metal base.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Large Driftwood Lamp on Custom Travertine BaseLocated in New York, NYLarge sculptural driftwood lamp on a travertine base. The lamp has been Newly rewired with silk rayon cord and adjustable Antique brass double cluster that take standard size ligh...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine
- Large French 1960s Rectangular Travertine Lamp on a Brass BaseLocated in Buchanan, NYThis remarkable French lamp from the mid-20th century features a large and impressive rectangular porous travertine body resting on a rectangular brass base. This unique piece has re...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Italian Travertine Tiered Lamp Base, 1970'sLocated in London, GBVintage 1970's Italian travertine and chrome tiered lamp base.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine
- Guzzini Italian Brass Arc Table Lamp on Travertine Base, RestoredBy Harvey GuzziniLocated in St. Louis, MOBeautiful Harvey Guzzini brass arc table lamp on travertine base. Brass arm and shade have been polished to a warm butler finish and lacquered. Inside th...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine, Brass