Max Ingrand Brass and Etched Glass Table Lamp Model 1538 by Fontana Arte, 1950
View Similar Items
Max Ingrand Brass and Etched Glass Table Lamp Model 1538 by Fontana Arte, 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Fontana Arte (Manufacturer)
- Similar to:Max Ingrand (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)Diameter: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Very small chips around the glass hole hidden by the brass collar.
- Seller Location:Renens, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5599223404212
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.
- Pietra Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte, 1980By Fontana Arte, Gae AulentiLocated in Renens, CHModel 2802 “Pietra” table lamp by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte. The lamp consists of a heavy glass base and polished metal lamp shades; it remains in beautif...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Design Classic Table Lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, 1970sBy Fontana Arte, Pietro ChiesaLocated in Renens, CHModel 0836 table lamp by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. The lamp consists of a heavy glass base, brass metal structure and an adjustable glass shade, it remains in beautiful con...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Eugenio Gentili Tedeschi For Fontana Arte “Yoyo” Table Lamp, 1970sBy Fontana ArteLocated in Renens, CHTable lamp named “Yoyo”, consisting of a red coated metal structure with two round glass inserts: This lamp originates from the 1970s and was produced in Italy. The design is attributed to Eugenio Gentili Tedeschi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of OZ Table Lamps by Franco Raggi and Daniela Puppa, Ed.Fontana Arte 1981By Fontana Arte, Daniela Puppa and Franco RaggiLocated in Renens, CHPair of Oz model table lamps in murano glass by Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi from 1981. Edition Fontana Arte 1981 Each lamp is composed of an inclined conical lampshade...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Brass and Enameled Metal Table Lamp, Stilnovo Inspired, Switzerland, 1950By BAG TurgiLocated in Renens, CHBrass and enameled metal table lamp, Stilnovo inspired, Switzerland 1950. This swiss lamp probably from BAG Turgi or Belmag, is clearly inspired by ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Hollywood Regency Silk and Brass Table Lamps by Antonio Pavia, 1970sBy Antonio PaviaLocated in Renens, CHItalian-made table Lamps by Antonia Pavia, with brass bamboo-shaped stem, thin metal leaves, and silk screen palm shaped shades. A beautiful example of the 1970s Hollywood Regency...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Model No. 1538 Table Lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana ArteBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in Los Angeles, CAModel no. 1538 table lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1950's. Glass, brass. Original European cord. We recommend three E12 candelabra b...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Table Lamp Ashangai Model by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, ItalyBy Max Ingrand, Fontana ArteLocated in Milan, ItalyThis extremely elegant table lamp was designed by Max Ingrand in 1955, during the period when this French maestro was artistic director at Fontana Arte. Joints in chromed brass hold ...Category
2010s Italian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Table Lamps by Max Ingrand for Fontana ArteBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in New York, NYPainted aluminum, fabric. Cast aluminum table lamps, each with 2 x E12, (candelabra) sockets and newly made fabric shades. A very rare model.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
$36,000 / set - Max Ingrand Fontana Arte 'Marked' Disco Volante Orange Mod. 1538, Italy, 1955By Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in Vienna, ATMarked Fontana arte Disco Volante Mod. 1538, Max Ingrand, Milano 1955 Rare Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Disco Volante Mod. 1538, Italy, 1955 with an early makers mark (engraved). Formid...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Medium White Glass Table Lamp by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1853, ItalyBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in New York, NYIconic Medium sized white glass table lamps by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1853, Italy. Originally named Model 1853, these beautiful and timeless lamps were designed in 1954 b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Small White Glass Table Lamps by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1853, ItalyBy Fontana Arte, Max IngrandLocated in New York, NYSmall white glass table lamps by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Model 1853, Italy. Originally named Model 1853, these beautiful and timeless lamps were designed in 1954 by French dec...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal