Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce ‘Televisione’ Floor Lamp in Brass and Aluminum

Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, floor lamp ‘Televisione’, model '12627', polished brass, lacquered aluminum, lacquered metal, Italy, circa 1956

This 'Televisione' floor lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce in Italy around 1956, is a true masterpiece of Italian lighting design. Lelii's designs were widely acclaimed and have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. He is considered to be an important figure in the history of Italian design and is remembered for his contributions to the field of lighting design. Arredoluce was a pioneering company in the world of Italian lighting design during the 1950s and 1960s. Founded by Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce was based in Monza and known for its skilled craftsmen who could bring the most cutting-edge lighting designs to life, of which this floor lamp is a prime example. The construction embodies a well-balanced appearance based on sharp lines and circular shapes. The lampshade is executed in pink lacquered aluminum and is suspended by elongated metal rods that rest on a ‘T’- shaped base. The cylindrical shaped rod in brass functions as a counterweight, which allows the user to direct the light in any preferred direction. The lamp can be turned on/off with the original foot switch in brass with the manufacturer’s mark impressed underneath. The design of this light is simplistic, with a clear focus on the essential elements, reinforced by the intricate geometry and touch of color.

For many years, the Televisione lamp was associated with the work of Ettore Sottsass Jr. This association likely arose because the lamp incorporates design elements similar to those found in a lamp designed by Sottsass. It is possible the lamp could have originated as a design by Sottsass that was later set aside and subsequently reinterpreted by Lelii. This instance of "design permeability", where aspects of Sottsass's style were echoed in Lelii's work, hints at a friendly and trusting relationship between the two designers. It suggests that Sottsass was either unbothered by, or perhaps even supportive of, Lelii drawing inspiration from his designs. In a private conversation with a gallery owner, Sottsass clarified that the Televisione lamp was in fact Lelii’s creation. By setting the record straight, Sottsass not only showed humility but also a deep respect for his colleague, ensuring that Lelii received the credit he deserved.

Paolo Angelo Lelii (1911-1979) was born in Ancona, Italy. After his studies at the Superior Institute of Industrial Art, Milan, he lived and worked in Monza. From 1943, Lelii started manufacturing lamps in his own house and in 1946 he advertised his well-known 'Tris' lamp in Domus magazine. It was in 1947 that he founded Arredoluce in Monza, a premier manufacturer of furniture and lighting. In the same year, he exhibited the lamp 12128 at the VII Triennale di Milano, which became known as the Triennale floor lamp. He became an influential designer in Postwar Italy, especially in the field of modern lighting design. During the 1950s, Arredoluce started to collaborate with designers such as Franco Albini, Achille Castiglioni, Gio Ponti, and Ettore Sottsass and also began to experiment with halogen light bulbs for his designs, which lead to the recognizable Arredoluce switch. Thanks to Angelo Lelii’s unique approach to design, Arredoluce quickly built a reputation for creating premium quality products based on clean, simple, and functional designs.

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