Though Bruno Gatta founded Stilnovo way back in 1946, it is still one of the most instantly recognizable names in lighting. Gatta (1904–76) began his business in Milan, and, like many European creatives designing furniture and decor in the wake of World War II, he leaned toward the new wave of mass-market and streamlined styles. In fact, Stilnovo loosely translates to “new style” in Italian, and vintage Stilnovo chandeliers, floor lamps and other lighting have endured as a practical choice for those looking to bring innovative and forward-thinking design into their homes.
Soon after Stilnovo was established, Gatta’s lighting fixtures were applauded throughout Europe for their novel industrial materials as well as their unique yet functional shapes. Italy during the mid-20th century was completely revolutionary, and Bruno Gatta and Stilnovo’s head designer, Angelo Gaetano Sciolari, helped shape the era.
When the 1960s arrived, Stilnovo was experiencing such a boom that the company opened a new production plant in Lainate. One of the brand’s most famous pieces, Giovanni Luigi Gorgoni’s quirky 1965 Buonanotte spherical table lamp, became a best seller.
Gatta partnered with some of the most well-known names in design, including Ettore Sottsass, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo and Gae Aulenti. Sottsass’s pieces for Stilnovo, including the 1977 Valigia four-legged table lamp, the 1968 Lampros chandelier and Manifesto ceiling light, and the Castiglionis’ 1957 Saliscendi pendant light fixtures are some of the brand’s most recognizable to date. In 1978, De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi designed the Fante lamp with an adjustable reflector that playfully recalls a broad-brimmed hat.
Stilnovo’s designs, including Danilo and Corrado Aroldi’s flexible Periscope table lamp, were featured in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art. While Stilnovo continued to operate with new designer collaborations after Gatta’s death, it closed its doors in 1988.
Italian art director Massimo Anselmi acquired the company in 2012 and rereleased several of Stilnovo’s most celebrated pieces. Then in 2019, lighting giant Linea Light Group purchased Stilnovo and relaunched its classic designs with contemporary touches like LED lighting systems.
Find vintage Stilnovo chandeliers and pendants, wall lights, table lamps and other fixtures and furniture on 1stDibs.
Vico Magistretti Pascal Floor Lamp for Oluce, Italy, 1979
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in London, GB
A sculptural Pascal floor lamp designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce in 1979. Crafted from enamelled metal and cast iron, the lamp features a distinctive architectural silhouette, c...
Metal, Enamel, Cast Iron
French Mid-Century Dual Gooseneck Brass Floor Lamp with Original Paper Shades
Located in London, GB
A distinctive French dual gooseneck floor lamp dating to the 1950s. The design features a slender brass stem supporting two independently adjustable curved necks, each fitted with it...
Brass
Pair of Contemporary Floor Lamps in the Style of Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
A striking pair of contemporary floor lamps in the style of Stilnovo, crafted from brass and lacquered metal. Featuring clean lines, sculptural silhouettes, and elegant proportions, ...
Metal, Brass
Temde Leuchten Sculptural Wood and Frosted Glass Floor Lamp, Germany, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten
Located in London, GB
A sculptural standing floor lamp by Temde Leuchten, Germany, circa 1960s. Crafted from solid wood and frosted glass, the lamp features a distinctive organic form with spherical glass...
Glass, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron Floor Lamp With Low Tiled Shelves Edition Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in London, GB
This floor lamp by Guillerme et Chambron for Edition Votre Maison, dating from the 1960s, is crafted in waxed oak with ceramic tile detailing. The design combines lighting with integ...
Ceramic, Oak
French Table Lamp with Murano Glass
Located in London, GB
A French table lamp in metal and Murano glass. Dimensions: H65 x D16 cm.
Metal
Floor lamp with opaline glass. Italy, Stilnovo, c.1955.
By Stilnovo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Floor lamp with opaline glass. Italy, Stilnovo, c.1955. Tripod floor lamp with a metal structure and brass detail. Opaline UFO-style glass with one E27 light fitting. Please note: ...
Metal
Stilnovo Italian Midcentury Floor Lamp in Brass and Opaline from the 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in bari, IT
A floor lamp in the style Stilnovo with tree sinuous opal glass diffusers inseA beautiful suspension chandelier from 1950s by Stilnovo. Stilnovo was founded in Milan by Bruno Gatta, whose father, Dino, had previously worked alongside Camillo Olivetti - with whom he graduated in Turin - on the creation of CGS in Ivrea. The deed of foundation of the company dates back to June 1946. The original headquarters is at 18 Via Borgonuovo Stilnovo reached the peak of its success in the late 1950s and 1960s. During this period it collaborated with high-profile architects and designers on several projects The new headquarters of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Via Meravigli, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni the previous year, dates from 1958. In the board meeting room, up-and-down chandeliers designed by the Milanese architects for Stilnovo were used. Stilnovo collaborated with Melchiorre Bega on two occasions: in 1960 to furnish, with ceiling chandeliers designed in the early 1950s by Gaetano Scolari, the boardroom of the Sarom company in the new skyscraper later known as Torre Galfe and again in the same year to illuminate the new conference and projection room at the Milan Trade Fair. The Swiss designer and graphic designer Walter Ballmer...
Marble, Brass
Vintage Stilux Enamelled Aluminium Floor Lamp Italy 1960
By Stilux
Located in Biella, IT
Stilux Italy production design production '60's enamelled aluminium, signed good vintage condition. everything is original, as well as the start button. measures h 72 inche...
Metal, Aluminum
STILNOVO 1950s Floor Lamp, mod. 4097
By Stilnovo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Standard lamp designed by Stilnovo. Italy, Stilnovo, 1955. Rare floor lamp with height-adjustable chromed stem, black enamelled base and a new two-part silk lampshade. Restored with...
Metal
Bruno Gatta Floor Lamp by Stilnovo, Opaline Glass & Brass, Italy 1950
By Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Bruno Gatta for Stilnovo floor lamp, Italy 1950 (15.35 × 13.39 × 71.26 in) Early vintage original floor lamp with 2 large opal glass shades designed by Bruno Gatta produced for...
Marble, Brass
Stilnovo Floor Lamp with Opaline Glass Shade, Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hellouw, NL
A study in balance and proportion, this Italian floor lamp attributed to Stilnovo combines an architectural metal structure with the softness of opaline glass. Its slender silhouette...
Glass
