Mid-Century Modern Pair of Alabaster Table Lamps Tempestini Lightolier, Italy
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Alabaster Table Lamps Tempestini Lightolier, Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Manufacturer),Maurizio Tempestini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Keego Harbor, MI
- Reference Number:Seller: 233-2141stDibs: LU271537445483
Maurizio Tempestini
Italian architect and furniture designer Maurizio Tempestini is well-known among vintage outdoor furniture aficionados for his sculptural Clamshell line and other elegant mid-century modern furnishings for patios and gardens.
Born in Florence in 1908, Tempestini completed his studies in Industrial Decoration at the Porta Romana Art Institute in 1929. His career as an interior architect and furniture and lighting designer flourished during the early 1930s. It was during this time Tempestini was also active as a set designer for several Italian theater productions, including Mario Massa’s Osteria degli immortali and Luigi Bonelli’s comedy Il Gigli.
Tempestini then turned his attention from the stage to designing furniture and decorative objects. He crafted pieces for ceramics factory Cantagalli in Florence, as well as for Murano glass manufacturers Seguso and Cappellin.
In 1934, Tempestini worked on the external renovation of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at the Parterre di San Gallo in Florence for the Littoriali Exhibition. Later, in 1938, he formed a studio with architects Nello Baroni and Pietro Porcinai before cofounding the legendary postwar Italian lighting maker Arteluce with designer and engineer Gino Sarfatti in 1939.
During the 1950s, Tempestini designed lighting fixtures for Lightolier and began to collaborate with Brooklyn, New York’s John B. Salterini Company. Salterini was an Italian emigree who initially worked in journalism before becoming an eminent producer of high-end wrought-iron furniture.
Tempestini’s modernist outdoor furniture for Salterini resembled indoor seating manufactured by the likes of Knoll or Artifort — his chairs and other seating boasted organic curves and seductive, unconventional shapes. His work complemented Salterini’s own handmade designs, which reflected Gothic Revival and Art Deco influences. Together the designers produced successful lines of garden and patio furniture for Salterini’s eponymous firm.
Tempestini’s name soon became widely known in the United States. His designs were first introduced to the American public in 1951 through Gimbels Department Store and Suniland Furniture in Houston, Texas. Today his bold and stylish patio furniture remains sought after by collectors everywhere.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Maurizio Tempestini garden elements, lounge chairs and tables.
Lightolier
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- Mid-Century Modern Monumental X-Large Tempestini Cubist Aluminum LampLocated in Keego Harbor, MIThis unique, one-of-a-kind X-Large tempestini cubist aluminum lamp is sure to be the focal point of any room. It features a sleek, modern design with a cubist-inspired shape and an aluminum construction. The illuminated light...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-Century Modern Pair of Hollywood Regency Harlequin Brass Glass Marble LampsBy LightolierLocated in Keego Harbor, MIFor your consideration is a pair of Hollywood Regency brass and glass table lamps on a marble base with original custom-m...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Copper Architectural Table LampsLocated in Keego Harbor, MIFor your consideration is this pair of Mid Century solid copper capsule form brass accented architectural mid century table lamps in pristine condition. Re polished but not lacquered...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
Sold$2,800 / set - Mid-Century Modern Pair of Lightolier Chrome Iron Hanging CandelabrasBy LightolierLocated in Keego Harbor, MIFor your consideration is a beautiful pair of Lightolier Brutalist iron and chrome hanging candelabras. In excellent condition. The dimensions of each are 25" diameter x 27" height.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsChrome, Iron
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Polished Aluminum & Lucite Architectural Table LampsLocated in Keego Harbor, MIFor your consideration are these matched pair of mid century modern parabolic form moderne retro atomic space age Eames Era Googie polished aluminum lucit...Category
Mid-20th Century Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-Century Modern Monumental Pair of Blue Ceramic Table Lamps Panton ShadesLocated in Keego Harbor, MIFor your consideration is a massive pair of blue ceramic table lamps, with their original and groovy shades and finials, circa the 196...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- A Good Pair of Italian Mid-Century Maurizio Tempestini Alabaster LampsBy Maurizio TempestiniLocated in San Francisco, CAa pair of Maurizio Tempestini (Italian, 1908-1960) mid-century modern alabaster table lamps in a sculpted flame design of polished white al...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAlabaster
- Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Articulating Desk LampBy LightolierLocated in Cordova, SCSuper cool vintage Lightolier desk lamp. It’s perfect for the mid-century modern office! Sleek design and clean lines. Made from hard plas...Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Pair of French Table Lamps AlabasterLocated in Kitzbuhel, ATMid-Century Modern table lamps with lampshades in alabaster. The rectangular shades are formed by four alabaster plates. Stands in solid brass with new...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAlabaster, Brass
- A Pair Of Alabaster Mid Century Modern Style Table LampsLocated in London, GBA pair of almost UFO shaped Alabaster table lamps, very Mid Century in style. White alabaster with gentle veining. As shown in images with two different shades of light given when us...Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAlabaster
- Mid Century Modern Lightolier Tripod Table Lamp Gerald Thurston 1954 "Profile"By Gerald Thurston, LightolierLocated in Peoria, AZMAGNIFICENT! Lightolier Tripod Table Lamp Brass & Walnut Gerald Thurston Designer 1954 Here is a marvelous Mid Century Modern Icon! The 1954 Tripod Brass & Walnut Table Lamp by ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$1,999 Sale Price31% Off - Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Baton High Intensity Desk Table Wall LampBy Lightolier, Michael LaxLocated in Topeka, KSAwesome vintage Mid-Century Modern Lightolier Baton high intensity desk, table, or wall lamp. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are minor scratches on the lamp base and hood. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary! -Aaron Rose. This is definitely an Extraordinary vintage Mid-Century Modern Baton high intensity desk table lamp by Lightolier. Many say the Baton lamp was designed by Michael Lax and although we know it was designed in the era Michael Lax designed...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum