D is for De Lucchi

April 6, 2012 at 2:07 pm | Posted in objects | Leave a comment
Tags: de lucchi, delucchi, desk lamp, tolomeo

This is the fourth post in a series of 26 on modern design icons (inspired by the Alphabet of Design Classics Poster by Blue Ant Studios.)

Tolomeo Desk Lamp (1986)

The Tolomeo desk lamp was designed in 1986 by  Michele De Lucchi (pictured right) in collaboration with Giancarlo Fassina for the Italian lighting company Artemide.

At the time Giancarlo Fassina was in charge of Artemide’s technical department and played an integral role in the design of the technical aspects of the lamp. As a result Michele De Lucchi decided to share design attribution with him on the project.

The design consists of a heavy aluminium base supporting two straight aluminium arms and a reflector head which can swivel 360 degrees. The arms are held in place by steel tension cables connected to springs in constant tension hidden within the arms.

Primarily a task light, the Tolomeo Desk Lamp also provides a hint of ambient lighting through a small opening in the lamp head. Visual contrast is also created through the use of finishes with the base of the lamp having a polished finish whilst the reflector head and arms have a satin finish.

In 1989 the Tolomeo Desk Lamp won the Italian industrial design prize; Compasso d’Oro. (On an interesting side note the Castiglioni brothers contributed to the establishment of this design prize in 1954.)

As a result of its popularity the Tolomeo lamp has since come out in a number of versions including a floor lamp, fixed wall lamp and clip on lamp, all of which are still manufactured by Artemide today.

For more info on the Tolomeo lamp and Michele De Lucchi visit:

• artemide.com 
• micheledelucchi.com
• designdictionary.co.uk

Related Posts:

• A is for Aalto – Aalto Vase (1936)
• B is for Bertoia – Diamond Lounge (1950)
• C is for Castiglioni – Arco Floor Lamp (1962)