Artemide Decorative Art
Artemide is an iconic firm in the design world. The mid-century Italian company is one of the best known lighting manufacturers and its award-winning fixtures are held in museum collections everywhere. Vintage Artemide table lamps, pendants, ceiling lamps and other lighting represent a thoughtful merge between functionalism and eye-catching design.
Artemide, which is based in Pregnana, was founded by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1959. During that year, Mazza created the first table lamp for the manufacturer — a modernist work in glass, marble and metal that he called the Alfa. Gismondi, who studied aeronautical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan and missile engineering at Rome’s Professional School of Engineering, applied his knowledge of cutting edge technology and materials such as fiberglass resin to Artemide’s designs for lighting and furniture.
In 1967, Artemide won Italy’s Compasso d'Oro design award for its Eclisse table lamp, which was designed by Vico Magistretti two years earlier. Other award-winning fixtures include the Tizio table lamp designed by Richard Sapper and the Tolomeo table lamp.
Designed by Michele de Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the Tolomeo featured the patented George Carwardine mechanism used in the original Anglepoise lamp. De Lucchi would later be recruited to join visionary postmodern design collective the Memphis Group. Artemide’s Gismondi purchased the brand after founder Ettore Sottsass dismantled the collective in 1988, and it was bought by Alberto Bianchi Albrici in 1996.
Artemide’s list of design, innovation, sustainability and other industry awards is long and distinguished. The firm continues to actively collaborate with internationally revered designers and seek out new talent through workshops with design schools. The company’s deeply held values — energy-saving lighting, sustainable design and ethically sourced materials — characterize its current offerings, and Artemide furniture and lighting can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and other institutions.
On 1stDibs, find Artemide tables, seating, floor lamps, chandeliers and more.
1960s European Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Metal
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Nutwood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Wool
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Walnut, Stoneware, Pottery, Clay, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Artemide Decorative Art
Tapestry
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Artemide Decorative Art
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Artemide Decorative Art
Ceramic
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Copper
20th Century Italian Artemide Decorative Art
Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Artemide Decorative Art
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Clay
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Bronze
1960s Italian Other Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Artemide Decorative Art
Brass
