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.
1950s Stilnovo Wall Lights Appliques Black White Perspex Brass
By Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
A pair of Conical Wall Lights Milan, Italy, circa 1955 Refined pair of mid-century wall lights manufactured in Milan by Stilnovo, one of Italy’s leading lighting firms of the postwar...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Stilnovo Wall Lights, Italy, circa 1955, Brass and Painted Metal
By Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pair of wall lights by Stilnovo, designed and manufactured in Italy circa 1955. These refined sconces exemplify the sophisticated balance of form and function that defines mi...
Metal, Brass
Rare Pair of Stilnovo Eight Light Wall Sconces Black and White 1950s Mid Century
By Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
Stilnovo (Italy, mid-20th Century) Rare Pair of Sculptural Wall Lights, circa 1950s This rare pair of sculptural wall lights exemplifies the bold creativity of Italian mid-century de...
Aluminum, Brass
1950's Gino Sarfatti Arteluce Pair of Wall Lights Sconces Appliques Metacrylate
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Wall Lights, Model No. 167 px, 1952 Opaline methacrylate diffuser with holder in lacquered metal. Manufactured in Italy by Arteluce. Dimensions: 11 W x 25 H cm / 4.3 W x 9.8...
Metal
Set of Six LP5 Wall Sconces Lights by Ignazio Gardella for Azucena, Italy, 1960s
By Azucena, Ignazio Gardella
Located in Milano, IT
An elegant set of six model LP5 wall sconces/ appliqués designed by Ignazio Gardella for Azucena, Italy, made in the 1960s. These refined appliques embody the sophisticated modernism...
Metal, Chrome
Gino Sarfatti, Set of four wall lights, model no. 167, 1952
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Milano, IT
Gino Sarfatti (Italy, 1912 – 1985). Set of four wall lights, model no. 167 px, 1952. Opaline methacrylate diffuser with holder in lacquered metal. Manufactured in Italy. Dimensions: ...
Perspex
Pair of 1950s Stilnovo Italian Mid Century Wall Lights
By Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
An original pair of 1950s Italian mid century sconces in golden polished brass and black enamel with white frosted glass shades. Rewired. One 120 watt candelabra socket each. Made by...
Brass, Enamel
Mid-Century Italian Black Metal, Brass & Opaline Glass Sconces, set of 2
By Stilnovo
Located in Varese, Lombardia
These sconces were designed in Italy around the 1950s in the Stilnovo style . they are made from a brass and black painted metal structure with shaped sandblasted white glass shades....
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Pair of Brass and White Glass Sconces Stilnovo Sciolari, Wall Lights
By Stilnovo
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
These architectural sconces are very elegant with their They are typically from 1960's brass frame and 2 white Murano glass globes each. They hav...
Brass
Pair of French Modernist Wall Lights, circa 1960, Satin Glass and Brass
By Stilnovo, Arlus
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare pair of French two-arm wall lights from the 1950-1960s. A Minimalist brass and lacquered structure with two satin glass diffusers and polished brass shades. Brass and ceramic E1...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Opaline Glass and Metal Wall Lights the style of Stilnovo Italy 1960's
By Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
A striking pair of large, slender torch-form wall lights, crafted in Italy during the 1960s in the style of Stilnovo. Each sconce features a black lacquered metal frame with elegant ...
Metal, Brass
20th Century, Stilnovo Pair of Wall Lamps with Glass Diffusers and Chromed Metal
By Stilnovo
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Stilnovo is founded in Milan by Bruno Gatta in 1946. In December 1946 Stilnovo made its first appearance in Domus, where two table lamps and a brass tray were published. In 1949 Brun...
Brass
