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.
Brass and Glass Low Table by Angelo Lelii
By Angelo Lelii
Located in London, GB
Brass and glass low table by Angelo Lelii The same frame design was used for a magazine rack, Model n°13007, published in "Arredoluce", Catalogue Raisonné, Silvana Editoriale, Mil...
Brass
Angelo Lelii for Arredoulce, Triennale, Mid-century Italian Floor Lamp
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp with three articulated arms, each conical shade enameled in different colors. Marked "Made in Italy / Arredoluce Monza"
Metal
Rare Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Floor Lamp
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, floor lamp, coated aluminum and brass, brass, marble, Italy, design circa 1954 An exceptionally rare floor lamp, designed by the acclaimed lighting des...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Floor Lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy, 1950s
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
There is something almost airborne about this floor lamp. From a flat, organically shaped marble base, a slender red-lacquered stem rises vertically, meeting a long brass arm that ex...
Metal, Brass
$17,500Sale Price|22% Off
H 91 in W 48 in D 48 in
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Model 12128 Triennale Floor Lamp Brass & White
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Arredoluce "Triennale" solid brass floor lamp model 12128 designed by Angelo Lelii in 1947, produced in 1954. One owner. 100% original. Nothing replaced nor added. Ful...
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Satin Brass and Glass Side Tables by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of 1970s satin brass and glass side tables by Pace Collection. New 1/2”thick glass tops. Dim: 20” diameter 16.25 high.
Brass
Pina Low Green Black Side Table by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Pina low green black side table by Pulpo Dimensions: D 44 x H 42 cm Materials: glass; brass and steel Also available in different colours. Sebastian Herkner’s distinctively tall, s...
Brass, Steel
Pina Low Transparent Black Side Table by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Pina low transparent black side table by Pulpo Dimensions: D44 x H42 cm Materials: glass; brass and steel Also available in different colours. ...
Brass, Steel
Angelo Lelii Arredoluce standard floor lamp Italy 1956
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This minimalist floor lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii and manufactured by Arredoluce in Italy in 1956, is an exquisite example of mid-century lighting design. As an early creation by ...
Marble, Metal
Mid Century Lucite Brass and Glass Side Table
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970s side or end table with beveled edge glass top, clear lucite legs and flat brass plated banding at base and apron. Excellent vintage condition with very little visible wear.
Brass
$4,850 / set
H 19.5 in W 19.69 in D 9.82 in
Pair of French Maison Bagues Attributed Brass and Glass Tables
By Maison Raphael, Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen, Gio Ponti, Maison Ramsay
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Maison Bagues attributed brass and glass tables. Striking pair of French Maison Bagues attributed brass and glass side tables. This gorgeous versatile pair of Maison Bagues tables...
Brass
$2,329
H 60.24 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Vintage Italian Floor Lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, 1950s
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Lisboa, PT
An iconic piece of mid-century Italian design, this floor lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce was crafted in the 1950s and remains a striking example of sculptural lighting from the era. The lamp features seven elegant curved brass arms...
Brass
$24,036
H 79.53 in W 43.31 in D 43.31 in
'Triennale' Floor Lamp Mod. 12128 by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy, C.1955
By Angelo Lelii, Raymor, Arredoluce
Located in London, GB
The iconic articulated 'Triennale' Floor Lamp was first designed by the great Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce in Monza, Italy. The model '12128' got its name from the Italian exhibition ...
Aluminum, Brass
Angelo Lelii “Polifemo” Floor Lamp for Arredoluce, 1956
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Angelo Lelii “Polifemo” floor lamp for Arredoluce, iron, brass, glass and marble, Italy, 1956. The "Polifemo" floor lamp, designed by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce in 1956, is a notab...
Marble, Brass, Iron