Italian Mid-Century Modern "Cobra" Table Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
About the Item
- Creator:Arredoluce (Manufacturer),Angelo Lelii (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Diameter: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1964
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Cobra Table Lamp
Recalling sculptor Constantin Brancusi's audacious forms, the brass stem of the Cobra table lamp, created by Italian designer Angelo Lelii (1911–79), casts a long and slender shadow beneath a magnetized adjustable sphere, or “socket,” where the bulb is positioned. The curious socket fixture is tucked inside a cobra-like “hood” that gave the lamp its name. Lelii’s revolutionary 1962 design allowed for light to be directed according to preference, and a dimming switch controls the intensity of the light. It was among the first lamps to use low voltage, thanks to the transformer housed in its base. As one of the best-known examples of postwar Italian lighting, it encapsulated the design ethos and emphasis on innovation long associated with Arredoluce, the lighting company Lelii founded in 1943.
Raised in Monza — where he would also begin to work with lighting in the late 1930s — Lelii encountered considerable success as a designer after several of his lamps appeared in Domus, the design journal cofounded by Giò Ponti. Arredoluce was a prolific firm, and counted Ponti, Ettore Sottsass Jr. and other well-known figures as designers, with many contributions coming from Lelii himself. Famous for a free-flowing exchange between factory workers and designers, Arredoluce helped define Italy’s modernist lighting industry, alongside companies such as Arteluce and Oluce.
Lelii’s simple and spare Cobra fell out of production, as did the company’s other designs, after Arredoluce shuttered following the maker’s death. Today, the lamp remains a striking encapsulation of the minimalist, technically advanced design principles he cultivated there. Demand for Lelii’s provocative and sculptural work has only increased over the years.
Angelo Lelii
Angelo Lelii’s energetic and imaginative floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers often reflected his singular personality — whimsical but practical. He is responsible for some of the most delightfully eye-pleasing but functional works in the history of Italian mid-century modern lighting design.
Lelii was born Paolo Angelo Lelii in the seaport town of Ancona and moved to Milan when he was quite young. Not much is known about his early life — online resources frequently have his last name misspelled “Lelli” — except that he studied at the Superior Institute of Industrial Art in nearby Monza.
While there was no shortage of pioneering work being done in the field of mid-century modern lighting design, Lelii was a visionary whose dream was to create technologically advanced lighting that embodied the simple lines of modern design but would be defined by his own imaginative twists. In 1943, Lelii opened his first workshop in a tiny basement in Monza, under the name Arredoluce. A few years later, he designed the single-light, bent-arm Tris floor lamp. Later that year, he exhibited his Triennale floor lamp at the Milan Triennale VIII and garnered wide acclaim. This iconic, slender lamp features three adjustable arms with enameled aluminum shades.
Lelii’s sculptural fixtures in brass and cast iron appeared in the acclaimed design journal Domus, and he embarked on high-profile collaborations with Italian modernist legends such as Gio Ponti — a giant of architecture and design as well as a founder of Domus — Memphis Group member Ettore Sottsass Jr. and the brothers Castiglioni (formally known as Achille, Pier Giacomo and Livio).
Massive success followed for Arredoluce from the late 1950s and into the 1960s. For Lelii, there was his seminal Stella ceiling lamp, featuring opaque, acid-etched glass globe shades; his minimalist Cobra table lamp, which was one of the world’s first low voltage light fixtures; and his aptly named Eye floor lamp. Lelii continued to oversee design and production at his revolutionary lighting firm until his death in 1979.
Find vintage Angelo Lelii lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Rare & Iconic Italian MId-Century Floor Lamp #256 by Angelo Lelli for ArredoluceBy Angelo Lelii, ArredoluceLocated in New York, NYA Rare and Iconic Italian Midcentury Modern Floor Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, Italy, circa 1959. This standing lamp (Cat. #256) is a master work of sculpture and materials. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Brass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Cantilevered Table / Desk Lamp, Attr. to ArredoluceBy Angelo Lelii, ArredoluceLocated in New York, NYAn original, daring Italian Mid-Century Modern table lamp circa 1950 attributed to Arredoluce and Angelo Lelli. This elegant and rare piece displays the timeless aesthetics, balance ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Nickel, Metal
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Counter-Balance Floor Lamp, Angelo Lelli, ArredoluceBy ArredoluceLocated in New York, NYA Rare Model Italian Mid-century Modern Cantilevered Floor Lamp, attributed to Angelo Lelli and Arredoluce, exhibiting innovative engineering, craftsmanship and aesthetics. The stan...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Steel, Nickel
- Italian Midcentury Brass Articulating and Counter-Balance Desk Lamp, ArredoluceBy Angelo Lelii, ArredoluceLocated in New York, NYElegant Italian Mid-Century Modern style desk or table lamp in the style of Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce composed of a round ball black marble base anchoring a solid brass articulatin...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBelgian Black Marble, Metal, Brass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp in the style of ArredoluceBy Angelo Lelii, ArredoluceLocated in New York, NYRare and exceptional Italian Mid-Century Modern floor lamp in the style of Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce. The entire composition is ultra-modern / futurist in its conception; it's dari...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Table / Desk Lamp #600 by Gino Sarfatti for ArteluceBy Gino Sarfatti, ArteluceLocated in New York, NYAnachronistic Italian Mid-Century table lamp #600 with Vinyl Sack filled with lead pellets as the base and a single socket and silver reflector bulb. Sarfatti's inventiveness and hum...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
- Flexa Table Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, ItalyBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Los Angeles, CAFlexa table lamp designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, circa 1975. The bulb is encased in an enameled metal shade and flanked by two parallel chrome columns. This lamp feature...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Flexa Table Lamp Model 14165 by Angelo Lelli for ArredoluceBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in New York, NYThis sophisticated articulating table lamp was realized by influential post-war Italian lighting designer Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, circa 1975. The lamp's single bulb is encased i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTravertine, Chrome, Wire, Brass
- Table Lamp by Angelo Lelli & Arredoluce, Italy - 1960sBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Berlin, DEH 25 cm W 23 cm D 9 cm Material: aluminum, matt white lacquered, chrome-plated brass, 2 round plastic caps, E 14 socket, original connection cable, original switch and plug Conditi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage table lamp, Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, Italy 1970By Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Ceglie Messapica, IT1970s vintage table lamp in industrial style. Designed by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce in the 1970s. Aluminium structure with flexible lampshade. The lamp has been recabled whilist it...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce ‘Cobra’ Table LampBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Waalwijk, NLAngelo Lelii for Arredoluce, ‘Cobra’ table lamp, model ‘12919’, chrome-plated brass, iron, coated aluminum, Italy, circa 1962 This outstanding table lamp model ‘12919’ known as ‘il...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Chrome, Iron
- Vintage table lamp, Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, Italy 1970By Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Ceglie Messapica, IT1970s vintage table lamp in industrial style. Designed by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce in the 1970s. Aluminium structure with flexible lampshade. The lamp has been recabled whilist it...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Industrial Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum