Set of Four Gino Sarfatti Dining Chairs by Saporiti Italia for Reupholstery

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.

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Established initially as Fratelli Saporiti in 1950, mid-century Italian furniture maker Saporiti Italia has a reputation for avant-garde and enduring designs, and its tables, chairs and cabinets inspire all who have had the pleasure of contemplating them.

Furniture designer Sergio Saporiti founded Fratelli Saporiti with a vision of creating pieces ahead of their time. By staying on top of the cultural shifts taking shape during the postwar era — and finding inspiration in the craftsmanship, durability and sensibility of Scandinavian design — Saporiti was able to tap into what the public wanted. His focus on using high-quality materials ensured that every welcoming chair and table could be used and enjoyed for decades to come.

In 1965, Saporiti collaborated with Italian designer Alberto Rosselli, a pioneer of the industrial design movement. They created such iconic pieces as the Confidential sofa, the Moby Dick chaise lounge and the Jumbo chair. In the 1970s, Saporiti initiated another collaboration with Italian designer Giovanni Offredi. The prolific partnership resulted in universally renowned designs like the Paracarro table and the Sail chair. Together, they also created the curving Wave sofa, which was popular in international markets.

The joint projects were a success, and the brand opened many international showrooms throughout the 1970s. This era also led to a partnership with Missoni — the celebrated Italian fashion brand worked closely with Giorgio Saporiti to create rugs and fabrics for its range of seating and more, and later, in 1983, Missoni expanded into home furnishings. At this time, the company officially rebranded as Saporiti Italia and released a line of customizable furniture, including the Avedon sofa, in collaboration with designer Mauro Lipparini.

Since then, Saporiti Italia has pivoted to furniture contracting and design management. To this day, the company remains under the ownership of the Saporiti family, and vintage Saporiti furniture continues to capture the imagination of collectors worldwide.

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