Designer Philippe Starck (b. 1949) once said: “Nothing exists without light. Light is everything.” It should come as no surprise, then, that the prolific French creative has tried his hand at numerous lighting designs, all of which seek to push the boundaries of form in some way. The Ara table lamp, named for Starck’s eldest daughter, is one of several lighting designs he created for Italian manufacturer FLOS, the name behind some of the most inventive lights in history.
The fixture was released in 1988, six years after a commission to redesign the private rooms at Paris’s Élysée Palace for then-president François Mitterand catapulted Starck to global design stardom. The Ara table lamp consists of a simple chrome-plated metal base and tilted stem, atop which sits a “shade” in the shape of a horn that can be rotated in order to direct the light. It contains a single halogen bulb. The exaggerated and unexpected nature of the shape is typical of Starck’s thought-provoking approach to design; he frequently manipulates objects just enough, requiring the viewer to contemplate and question them.
The son of an aircraft engineer, Starck is also prone to toying with functionality and mechanics; on the Ara, the light is activated not by an external switch or pull but simply by pointing the horn shape up or down. The Ara table lamp, which is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum, has since been discontinued by FLOS. It is only available through resale.
Philippe Starck table mirror from the Shark Collection 1989
By Philippe Starck
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
This special table mirror , designed by Philippe Starck in 1989 as part of the Shark Collection , features a playful and elegant design. Originally designed for L'Oréal as a dressing...
Chrome
Mickville Gueridon by Philippe Starck for Driade 1980s
By Philippe Starck
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A radical side table by Philippe Starck for Driade. France 1980s Folding table. Signed under. Some lack of paint. Original condition.
Metal
Pair of Ero/S Swivel Armchairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell, 1990s–2000s Design
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Taranto, IT
The iconic, award-winning pair of "EroS" armchairs, designed by French genius Philippe Starck and produced by the renowned Italian company Kartell. This set features a distinctive or...
Steel
$755
H 28.75 in Dm 23.63 in
Philippe Starck In/Outdoor Round White Tulip Bar Tables "DR.NA" for Driade
By Knoll, Philippe Starck, Eero Saarinen, Kartell
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Introducing the Philippe Starck In/Outdoor Round White Tulip Bar Tables "DR.NA" for Driade, a stunning fusion of contemporary design and functional ver...
Metal, Steel
$1,775 / set
H 31 in W 24 in D 27 in
Philippe Starck for Kartell Clear Lucite Eros Swivel Italian Chairs, Set of 3
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 3 transparent Lucite Eros swivel chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell and made in Italy. The seat is made out of acrylic and the base is aluminum. Marked at the se...
Aluminum
Kartell Uncle Jim Armchair in Clear by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Uncle collection designed by Philippe Starck adds the Uncle Jim armchair. The armchair echoes the lines and sinuosity of Uncle Jack and lends itself to b...
Plastic
$1,144 / item
H 30.75 in W 40.15 in D 29.5 in
Kartell Bubble Club Armchair in Green by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bubble club armchair in light grey. Dimensions: Height 30.75 in.; width 40.15 in.; depth 29.5 in.; unit weight 17 kg. Made of: Polyethylene. Outdoor use.
Plastic
Art Deco Table Mirror from Maison Desny, 1930s.
By La Maison Desny
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Behold the timeless allure of a circular table mirror by Maison Desny, a signed masterpiece that transcends mere reflection. This elegant piece seamlessly marries form and function, ...
Metal
Art Deco Dressing Table Mirror or Vanity Mirror from France
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French free-standing vanity mirror or dressing table mirror of chrome and mirrored glass from the Art Deco era, with a swiveling square mirror surface and felt back, supported...
Chrome, Metal
$1,500 / item
H 9.85 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Contemporary Table Mirror, HOT Collection, Lava Stone & Gradient Stainless Steel
By Buzao
Located in Paris, IDF
Mirror table Black lava stone, mirror (blue finish) 25 x 16 cm Side table from “HOT” collection, a creation by Buzao design studio. Close to Bentu design studio, Buzao creates ...
Stone, Lava, Stainless Steel
Italian Designer, Table Mirror, Brass, Glass, Mirror, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and glass table mirror, designed and produced in Italy, 1940s. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
$650
H 19.75 in W 15.5 in D 5 in
1950s Double-Sided Brass Swivel Vanity Table Mirror from North America
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large solid brass oval double sided swivel vanity table mirror.
Glass, Mirror
$1,259
H 33.08 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Eros Red Eiffel Swivel Chair on Wheels Philippe Starck for Kartell, Italy
By Kartell, Philippe Starck
Located in Marbella, ES
Eros red Eiffel swivel chair on wheels Philippe Starck for Kartell Italy.
Metal
Gueridon Model Eros by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, Italy
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Gueridon Eros model in marble Mero Marquina designed by Angelo Mangiarotti and produced by Skipper in 1971. Biography ANGELO MANGIAROTTI was born in Milan on 26th of February 1921. ...
Marble
Art Deco mahogany dressing table from the 1930s
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This Art Deco mahogany dressing table dates from the 1930s. It features a structure with clean lines, resting on solid legs joined by a metal crossbar. The piece is topped by a tilti...
Mahogany
Philippe Starck for Flos, "Ara" Table Lamp, Italy 1988
By Philippe Starck, Flos
Located in Naples, IT
Elegant Ara table lamp designed by Philippe Starck and manufactured by Flos Italia in 1988. The lamp is in excellent working condition. If you tilt the top of the lamp upward, the li...
Metal
Sold
H 22.45 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Ara Table Lamp by Philippe Starck produced by Flos in Italy ca. 1988
By Philippe Starck, Flos
Located in Geneva, CH
Chromed steel "Ara" table lamp by Philippe Starck and produced by Flos in Italy ca. 1988 Very good condition. The lamp turns on and off by tilting the "horn". Signed underneath the base
Steel
Ara Table Lamp by Philippe Starck for Flos, 1988
By Philippe Starck
Located in Weesp, NL
A true icon of late 20th-century French design, this Ara table lamp was designed by Philippe Starck in 1988 for the renowned lighting manufacturer Flos. The lamp’s sculptural, aerody...
Metal
Philippe Starck Design "Ara" Table Lamp for Flos - 1988
By Philippe Starck, Flos
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Desk lamp - Design - Philippe Starck - Vintage The Ara lamp was designed by Philippe Starck in 1988 and bears the name of his daughter. The lamp was made by F...
Chrome
Philippe Starck chrome book stand
By Philippe Starck
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Philippe Starck - Book - Easel Pirelli calendars sold separately. Measures : 54cmx54cm H:76cm Material : Chrome - Steel
Chrome
Sold
H 22.45 in Dm 9.85 in
Table Lamp 'ARA', design by Phiiippe Starck for Flos, 1988, chromed steel, works
By Philippe Starck, Flos
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 'Ara' table lamp, designed by Philippe Starck and made by Flos, takes its name from the designer's daughter. It is a table lamp with direct adjustable light, with bold lines. The...
Steel
Ara Table Lamp by Philippe Starck Design for Flos 1988
By Philippe Starck
Located in Oirlo, LI
The Ara lamp was designed by Philippe Starck in 1988 and bears the name of his daughter. The lamp was made by Flos in Italy. The on and off switch is integrat...
Chrome
Sold
H 20 in W 10.5 in D 7 in
Philippe Starck Ara Table Desk Lamp, Chrome, Post-Modern by Flos Italy, 1980s
By Flos, Philippe Starck
Located in Vienna, AT
A chrome-plated and mirror-polished postmodern Ara desk or table lamp from the 1980s, designed by Philippe Starck in 1988, named after his daughter. Executed by Flos, Italy. A stylis...
Metal, Chrome
Ara Table Lamp by Philippe Starck for Flos
By Philippe Starck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This horn-shaped Ara table lamp is designed by Philippe Starck for Flos in 1988. It was named after his daughter. This classic Starck design incorporates ...
Chrome
Philippe Starck Ara Table Lamp in Polished Chromed Metal by Flos 1988
By Philippe Starck, Flos
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Ara table or desk lamp in polished chrome provides direct illumination. The head adjusts to direct lighting at a 90-degree angle. Designed by Philippe Starck in 1988 for Flos. Measurements: Height: 55 – 56.5 cm Lampshade: 27.5 cm Base: Ø 17.5 cm Philippe Starck was born in Paris, France in 1949. He is the son of André Starck, an aeronautical engineer and founder of Avions André Starck (airplane designer) and Jacqueline Lanourisse. Philippe Starck began his schooling at the Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix institution in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. He then studied at the Camondo school in Paris, under the leadership of Henry Malvaux. Starck designed an inflatable structure in 1969, initiating a reflection on materiality, and showed an interest in places to live. Shortly after, Pierre Cardin offered him the post of artistic director of his publishing house. At the same time, he founded his first Industrial Design agency, Starck Product. He renamed it into Ubik6 in reference to the famous novel by Philip Kindred Dick. He began his collaborations with Alessi, Aprilia, Disform, Driade, Drimmer, Fossil, Kartell and Vitra. Philippe Starck has designed several hotels around the globe and also Steve Jobs‘s yacht, Venus. In the 1980s a long and exclusive collaboration with Flos begins, which sheds light on a series of international successes also called cult objects such as this ARA’ table lamp, the Miss Sissi table lamp (1991), the Rosy Angelis...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Ara Table Lamp Philippe Starck for Flos in Stock
By Flos, Philippe Starck
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ara desk lamp designed by Philippe Starck for Flos. Usable with 100-120V, in the US.
Aluminum
