Luigi Caccia Dominioni, for Azucena

LUIGI CACCIA DOMINIONI (Milan, 1913–2016) for AZUCENA, Italy.
Pair of “LP19 Monaco” wall sconces. Designed in 1979. Produced in the 1980s.
Steel, brass, and clear glass, partially etched.
Three light sources per wall sconce.
In good condition. They show slight signs of use, minor scuffs, and patina on the metal surfaces.
Bibliography: M. Imparato, F. Radaelli, and S. Milesi (eds.), Azucena. Mobili e oggetti, Milan, Azucena, 2012, pp. 202–203 (model reproduced).
Measurements: 24.5 x 40 x 11.5 cm.

The “LP19 Monaco” wall sconce epitomizes Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s interest in combining a minimalist design with a sophisticated treatment of light and materials. The curved, clear glass shade features a wide, partially etched band that diffuses the light from the three light sources, while the polished metal surfaces introduce reflections and visually amplify the luminous effect.

The composition is organized into overlapping horizontal bands, with a gently curved front that avoids any excessive rigidity. The contrast between the transparency of the glass, the satin-finished area, and the warm sheen of the metal allows the wall sconce to significantly alter its appearance when lit: the light source is partially veiled, while the light is projected both forward and toward the wall. This combination of functionality and material refinement is characteristic of Caccia Dominioni’s design language.

Luigi Caccia was a key figure in postwar Italian design. In 1947, he founded Azucena alongside Ignazio Gardella and Corrado Corradi Dell’Acqua, initially conceived to produce furniture and objects for their own architectural projects. The firm would become one of the leading names in Milanese design due to its special attention to materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and the relationship between furniture and interior space. Caccia Dominioni’s work is represented, among other institutions, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which houses several pieces created by Azucena.