The work of celebrated mid-century Italian lighting designer and entrepreneur Angelo Gaetano Sciolari became widely popular in the United States during the postwar years and strongly influenced lighting makers around the world. The sculptural forms and striking geometric details of his vintage floor lamps, chandeliers and other fixtures fit seamlessly into the mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency interiors of the day.
Sciolari formally studied architecture but also pursued filmmaking for a short period. When his father passed away in 1949, Sciolari took the reins at his family's company, Sciolari Lighting, which had been in business in Rome since 1892. The manufacturer expanded considerably under Gaetano’s leadership. For one, pioneering American lighting company Lightolier, in New York City, began to import the Italian brand’s lighting for the U.S. market, and Lightolier’s star designer, Gerald Thurston, was significantly influenced by Gaetano’s work. In the 1970s, Americans looking to add provocative fixtures created by Gaetano Sciolari to their living rooms could find them in Lightolier catalogs.
Sciolari initially crafted lamps and sconces that bore the hallmarks of traditional Italian design. But during the 1950s, when he would become the in-house designer for legendary Milan lighting manufacturer Stilnovo — one of the leaders of Italian postwar design — he created revolutionary fixtures that endured as his best-known work.
Sciolari drew on a range of influences — enthusiasts see the imprint of Art Deco, brutalism and more in his lighting — and designed futuristic Space Age chandeliers, ceiling lamps and pendants for Stilnovo as well as Stilkronen and S.A. Boulanger that defied the conventions of the time. A dizzying array of materials and finishes characterizes the designer’s work, while geometry is pronounced in each sculptural fixture — there are blown opal glass spheres, polished chrome tubes and brass square bulb holders. These combinations were critical to the development of dazzling lighting that proves eye-catching in any space decades later.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Angelo Gaetano Sciolari lighting today.
1960's 9 light Chrome and Glass Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Schoorl, NL
Gaetano Sciolari monumental chrome and brushed brass two-tier nine-light chandelier with cylindrical glass shades, 1960s. Please note, we have sconces in the same style. Please do no...
Chrome
1960s Hanger Lights by Holophane
By Holophane
Located in London, GB
1960s nickel plated hanging lights formerly used to light aircraft hangers made by Holophane. Rewired for domestic electricity. We have more of t...
Nickel
20th Century Black Industrial Iron Ceiling Light by Veb
By Industrial Design
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A vintage industrial steel ceiling light by VEB with black iron powder coat finish. These ceiling lights date back to the 1970s where they were use...
Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century Moroccan Tin and Glass Synagogue Hanging Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Impressive lamp, in unique folk craftsmanship, metal sheet, bent and sawn; small glass plaques in various textures and colors. General shape is of a star with eight points, with spa...
Metal
$1,022 / item
H 9.06 in W 37.41 in D 6.7 in
1970s German Industrial Cast Aluminum and Glass T8 Explosion Proof Striplight
By Leuchtenbau Wittenberg
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A vintage Industrial flameproof ceiling striplight / tube light made by Wittenburg of Germany. Originally designed for hazardous areas in factories and on cargo ships. The build i...
Aluminum
$267 / item
H 11.03 in Dm 11.03 in
Late Century Iron, Brass and Glass Explosion Proof Industrial Pendant
By Industrial Production
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
This excellent example of an original explosion proof lamp was salvaged from an old Japanese ship. Dated c1975, it has the original ceramic and brass E27...
Brass, Iron
$1,235 / item
H 27.56 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
1970s Industrial Polished Aluminium Brass & Glass Edison Flameproof Strip Light
By Daeyang
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Reclaimed vintage industrial Korean flameproof striplight made by Daeyang in the 1970's with highly polished finish. Original item salvaged fro...
Aluminum, Brass
On Hold|$4,476
H 55 in Dm 27.5 in
Large & Stunning Antique Fine Bronze Gothic Revival 12 Light Chandelier Pendant
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted and truly beautiful Gothic chandelier for candles. In antiques it often is the case that the older a piece is, the better the quali...
Bronze, Brass
$1,750 / item
H 37.41 in Dm 9.06 in
Late Century Aluminium Flame Proof Isolator Strip light, Cage, Glass Tube, Led
By Industrial Production
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Original item salvaged from super tankers and military vessels, stripped and refinished in the UK. The original wiring is replaced with our Loom light wiring system which exceeds the original specification and also conforms to British standards. All of our tube lights are supplied with a 12 month warranty as standard. All German flame proof...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,048Sale Price / item|34% Off
H 23.63 in Dm 17.33 in
1970s Japanese XL Stainless Steel, Cast Brass & Glass Search Light Pendant
By Industrial Production
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Extra large stainless steel searchlight ceiling lights. Originally a marine searchlight converted into ceiling pendant light fixtures. Originally manufactured in Japan c1970 profe...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$720 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 14.57 in
1970s Japanese Large Stainless Steel, Cast Brass and Glass Search Light Pendant
By Industrial Production
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Original stainless steel, cast brass and bronze search light pendant conversion. This very substantial fitting was salvaged from an old Japanese cargo ship, built during the 1970...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$1,029 / item
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 27.56 in
1970s Cast Aluminum, Brass and Glass Industrial Flame Proof LED Strip Light
By Daeyang
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A reclaimed retro industrial Korean flameproof strip light made by Daeyang in 1970s finished in original marine colors very similar to duck egg. Originally salvaged from super ta...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,029 / item
H 21.66 in Dm 16.93 in
1980s Large Industrial Cast Aluminium and Glass Explosion Proof Pendant
By Industrial Design
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A large cast aluminium explosion proof pendant built to with stand the most adverse conditions at sea. These lamps were reclaimed from a super tanker that would have transported h...
Aluminum