Selenova Lamp, Italy, 1970s

Selenova pendant lamp, Italy, 1970s.
Metal and white opal glass.
Electrical wiring needs to be inspected.
Shows signs of wear consistent with its age.
Measurements: 55 x 60 x 49 cm.

A unique pendant lamp produced by Selenova in Italy during the 1970s, featuring a distinctly sculptural design and fully in line with the formal experimentation of Italian design of that era. This same model is documented with identical measurements and described as a composition of metal discs arranged in a staggered pattern around a cylindrical white glass diffuser.
The piece is organized around a central opal glass light source, traversed by a succession of thin metal discs of varying diameters and positions. Its seemingly irregular arrangement creates a dynamic interplay of horizontal planes that shifts depending on the viewpoint and transforms the lamp—even when turned off—into an almost sculptural presence. The contrast between the diffuse light of the glass and the cool precision of the metal reinforces its technological aesthetic.

The design embodies the “Space Age” sensibility that characterized much of Italian lighting design in the 1960s and 1970s: pure geometries, industrial materials, and a desire to transform the light source into an autonomous object with a strong visual impact. Selenova’s production during these years was characterized precisely by the combined use of metal and glass and by lighting solutions of a graphic and experimental nature.

Selenova was an Italian firm specializing in lighting, particularly active during the 1970s, whose work was fully immersed in the extraordinary experimentation that characterized Italian design of the period. Its lamps frequently featured combinations of metal, blown glass, and opal glass, exploring bold geometries, lighting effects, and designs reminiscent of the Space Age aesthetic. The company produced table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lamps, and it also collaborated with designers such as Sergio Moscheni, creator of the well-known Giraffa floor lamp for Selenova.