Tomaso Buzzi for Venini Floor Lamp in Glass and Gold Leaf
Tomaso Buzzi for Venini, floor lamp, model '502', alga glass, metal, gold leaf, Italy, 1933-38
This remarkable Italian floor lamp, designed by the Milanese multidisciplinary artist Tommaso Buzzi (1900–1981) for the esteemed glass manufacturer Venini, exemplifies the sophistication of Italian Art Deco decorative arts. Characterized by its refined form and masterful use of materials, the lamp stands as a testament to Buzzi’s innovative approach to design. First introduced in 1933, it remained in production until 1938.
The lamp’s stem and shade are crafted from Alga glass, a material developed during Buzzi’s tenure as artistic director of Venini & C., a position he assumed in 1932. In this role, he dedicated himself to expanding the company's design repertoire, pioneering novel glassmaking techniques such as the Alga and Laguna series. Alga glass is distinguished by its layered composition: a core of lattimo (milk glass) encased in a translucent, colored outer layer – green for Alga, pink for Laguna – and further enriched with an even application of gold leaf. Variations of this design were produced in different color palettes, with or without gold embellishments, or featuring subtle tone-on-tone applications of glass paste.
Structurally, the lamp’s ribbed stem is divided into three sections by elegant metal mounts, gradually widening toward the base to achieve a balanced, sculptural presence. The white glass lampshade, with its gracefully curved contours and expansive form, evokes the delicate silhouette of a tulip, enhancing the lamp’s organic yet refined aesthetic.
Biography
Tomaso Buzzi (1900-1981) was a multi-talented individual, working as an architect, designer, graphic artist, and writer. He was born in Sondrio, Italy, and obtained his degree in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano in 1923. Buzzi underwent professional training under Gio Ponti, with whom he later formed a business partnership. Before graduating, he had already associated himself with the Studio di Sant’Orsola group, which included Ponti, Michele Marelli and Emilio Lancia. The group shared Buzzi’s passionate interest in the revival of classical architecture and artistic craftsmanship, traits evident in the Novecento movement and in Milanese Deco.
This remarkable Italian floor lamp, designed by the Milanese multidisciplinary artist Tommaso Buzzi (1900–1981) for the esteemed glass manufacturer Venini, exemplifies the sophistication of Italian Art Deco decorative arts. Characterized by its refined form and masterful use of materials, the lamp stands as a testament to Buzzi’s innovative approach to design. First introduced in 1933, it remained in production until 1938.
The lamp’s stem and shade are crafted from Alga glass, a material developed during Buzzi’s tenure as artistic director of Venini & C., a position he assumed in 1932. In this role, he dedicated himself to expanding the company's design repertoire, pioneering novel glassmaking techniques such as the Alga and Laguna series. Alga glass is distinguished by its layered composition: a core of lattimo (milk glass) encased in a translucent, colored outer layer – green for Alga, pink for Laguna – and further enriched with an even application of gold leaf. Variations of this design were produced in different color palettes, with or without gold embellishments, or featuring subtle tone-on-tone applications of glass paste.
Structurally, the lamp’s ribbed stem is divided into three sections by elegant metal mounts, gradually widening toward the base to achieve a balanced, sculptural presence. The white glass lampshade, with its gracefully curved contours and expansive form, evokes the delicate silhouette of a tulip, enhancing the lamp’s organic yet refined aesthetic.
Biography
Tomaso Buzzi (1900-1981) was a multi-talented individual, working as an architect, designer, graphic artist, and writer. He was born in Sondrio, Italy, and obtained his degree in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano in 1923. Buzzi underwent professional training under Gio Ponti, with whom he later formed a business partnership. Before graduating, he had already associated himself with the Studio di Sant’Orsola group, which included Ponti, Michele Marelli and Emilio Lancia. The group shared Buzzi’s passionate interest in the revival of classical architecture and artistic craftsmanship, traits evident in the Novecento movement and in Milanese Deco.
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Tomaso Buzzi for Venini Floor Lamp in Glass and Gold Leaf
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