Elio Martinelli, Model 1222 wall sconces for Martinelli Luce

ELIO MARTINELLI (Lucca, 1922–2004) for MARTINELLI LUCE.
Set of three wall sconces, model 1222. Italy, 1979.
Metal and plastic materials, with molded Plexiglas.
Wired for plug-in connection, 220–240 V.
In good condition, with signs of wear consistent with its age and use.
Measurements: 15 x 40 x 41 cm each.

Set of three wall sconces designed by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, representative of 1970s Italian lighting design. The combination of metal and molded Plexiglas reflects the incorporation of plastic materials into the furniture and lighting of the era, which expanded the possibilities for form and light diffusion.

Elio Martinelli was an Italian designer trained in set design and the founder of Martinelli Luce, a lighting company established in Lucca in the early 1950s to develop and manufacture his own lamps. His work combines geometric forms, references to nature, and experimentation with plastic materials, as seen in his Serpente (1965) and Cobra (1968) models. Under his leadership, the firm also incorporated creations by designers such as Gae Aulenti and Sergio Asti, becoming a leading name in Italian lighting. Thus, Elio Martinelli is the designer of the Serpente lamp, and Martinelli Luce is the company responsible for its manufacture.