Gino Sarfatti Italy, 1912-1985
Rotating brass stem floor lamp, 1946
Brass, painted aluminum, marble
160 x 120 x 39 cm
63 x 47 1/4 x 15 3/8 in
63 x 47 1/4 x 15 3/8 in
Manufactured by Arteluce, Milan, Italy
Further images
Supported by a round brass fitting on a marble base, this floor lamp is composed of a rotating brass stem that simply rests on a marble sphere used as a...
Supported by a round brass fitting on a marble base, this floor lamp is composed of a rotating brass stem that simply rests on a marble sphere used as a centre of gravity.
The counterweight mechanism is central to the ingenuity of this design. By balancing the adjustable arm through a simple mechanical principle, Sarfatti achieves effortless movement without compromising the lamp's slender silhouette.
Rather than concealing its engineering, he makes it an integral part of the design. Every component serves a purpose, and the relationship between balance, movement and light becomes the defining character of the lamp. This economy of means perfectly illustrates Sarfatti's approach to lighting: finding elegant solutions to practical problems through technical invention rather than unnecessary decoration.
The counterweight mechanism is central to the ingenuity of this design. By balancing the adjustable arm through a simple mechanical principle, Sarfatti achieves effortless movement without compromising the lamp's slender silhouette.
Rather than concealing its engineering, he makes it an integral part of the design. Every component serves a purpose, and the relationship between balance, movement and light becomes the defining character of the lamp. This economy of means perfectly illustrates Sarfatti's approach to lighting: finding elegant solutions to practical problems through technical invention rather than unnecessary decoration.
Provenance
Private collection, MilanLiterature
Marco Romanelli and Sandra Severi, Gino Sarfatti: Opere Scelte 1938-1973, Milan, 2012, p. 446