1960s Hanging Lamp
One of the most exciting things about mid-century modern design is the designers’ abilities to use new materials and forms. The 1960s obsession with space travel was apparent in Stilnovo designs, from the Sputnik chandeliers to this minimalist, UFO-inspired design. The chrome and satined glass hang suspended 4-feet from a marionette-style anchor. The black cords draw the eye down to the circular chrome. The glass bulbs are perfectly matched on both the top and bottom, true to Stilnovo lighting style.
Pair of Stilnovo Chandeliers
These Italian-made 1965 Stilnovo chandeliers look good enough to hang from Sophia Loren’s ears (in 1965 – or even now!), but they’d fit better in a large foyer where the full artistry of the design could be admired. From all angles, these brass and frosted glass chandeliers captivate the viewer with a balance of measured randomness in the heights and spacing of the globes that is contrasted with the cluster-cloud effect that comes only from seeing the globes from directly below.
1950s Stilnovo Chandelier
This black metal, brass, and white frosted glass mid-century chandelier is the perfect addition to any rectangular room. Its design implies movement and grace, with a futuristic vibe that can’t be stilled. There is something about this fixture, perhaps it is the mixture of the circles and the tapered lines, that reminds one of the Starship Enterprise. At the same time, the frosted glass bulbs hearken back to Roman torchieres, and the brass and black metal frame resemble a chariot. Either way, there is movement and grace in this stationary chandelier.
Green Lamp c. 1960s
This thought-provoking lamp was designed and sold by Stilnovo Lighting in the early 1960s. It’s a prime example of the use of color and form that makes Stilnovo a stunner the in mid-century design world. The black cylindrical stand holds the bulb, and the light from the bulb is reflected off the white paint on the inside of the shade. The green half-sphere shape of the shade is reminiscent of a soldier’s helmet, although there are no defining insignia. Is this a political statement of the Vietnam-era, or just a beautiful lamp?
