Willy Daro

WILLY DARO (Belgium, 1918–1997).
Pair of table lamps.
Nickel-plated brass and gray coral.
In working condition.
Signed.
Measurements: 75 x 45 x 30 cm (x2).
This pair of table lamps, designed by Willy Daro, is a prime example of the sculptural design of the 1960s and 1970s. Known for incorporating natural materials into furniture and lighting pieces, Daro combined nickel-plated brass with gray coral in these lamps, striking a balance between the sophistication of the metallic finishes and the organic texture of the coral. The composition stands out for the strong contrast between the straight-lined shade and the irregular, sculptural base, making each lamp both a functional piece and an artistic object. This fusion of nature and design reflects the influence of Space Age trends and a penchant for biomorphic forms, characteristic of mid-20th-century European design.
Willy Daro was one of the most prominent Belgian designers and interior decorators of the second half of the 20th century, renowned for his exclusive furniture and lighting pieces. After World War II, he founded his own studio, and in the early 1960s, he opened Les Nouveaux Ateliers Willy Daro in Brussels, where he produced furniture and lamps until the workshop closed in 1987. His work is characterized by the fusion of noble materials—such as brass, bronze, and glass—with natural elements rarely seen in interior design, including coral, agate, rock crystal, fossils, shells, and minerals. His creations show influences from Hollywood Regency, Brutalism, and the organic forms characteristic of 1970s design.