Though Bruno Gatta founded Stilnovo way back in 1946, it is still one of the most instantly recognizable names in lighting. Gatta (1904–76) began his business in Milan, and, like many European creatives designing furniture and decor in the wake of World War II, he leaned toward the new wave of mass-market and streamlined styles. In fact, Stilnovo loosely translates to “new style” in Italian, and vintage Stilnovo chandeliers, floor lamps and other lighting have endured as a practical choice for those looking to bring innovative and forward-thinking design into their homes.
Soon after Stilnovo was established, Gatta’s lighting fixtures were applauded throughout Europe for their novel industrial materials as well as their unique yet functional shapes. Italy during the mid-20th century was completely revolutionary, and Bruno Gatta and Stilnovo’s head designer, Angelo Gaetano Sciolari, helped shape the era.
When the 1960s arrived, Stilnovo was experiencing such a boom that the company opened a new production plant in Lainate. One of the brand’s most famous pieces, Giovanni Luigi Gorgoni’s quirky 1965 Buonanotte spherical table lamp, became a best seller.
Gatta partnered with some of the most well-known names in design, including Ettore Sottsass, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo and Gae Aulenti. Sottsass’s pieces for Stilnovo, including the 1977 Valigia four-legged table lamp, the 1968 Lampros chandelier and Manifesto ceiling light, and the Castiglionis’ 1957 Saliscendi pendant light fixtures are some of the brand’s most recognizable to date. In 1978, De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi designed the Fante lamp with an adjustable reflector that playfully recalls a broad-brimmed hat.
Stilnovo’s designs, including Danilo and Corrado Aroldi’s flexible Periscope table lamp, were featured in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art. While Stilnovo continued to operate with new designer collaborations after Gatta’s death, it closed its doors in 1988.
Italian art director Massimo Anselmi acquired the company in 2012 and rereleased several of Stilnovo’s most celebrated pieces. Then in 2019, lighting giant Linea Light Group purchased Stilnovo and relaunched its classic designs with contemporary touches like LED lighting systems.
Find vintage Stilnovo chandeliers and pendants, wall lights, table lamps and other fixtures and furniture on 1stDibs.
Stilnovo Designer Pendant Light Fixture, Italy, 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Stilnovo Designer Pendant Light Fixture, Italy, 1950s Original pendant or "Ufo" suspension lights manufactured from Stilnovo Italy, Model 1104, with opaline satin glass diffuser, e...
Brass
Italian Midcentury "Ata" Set Pendant Lights by Giusto Toso for Leucos, 1970
By Giusto Toso, Leucos
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury "Ata" Set Pendant Lights by Giusto Toso for Leucos, 1970 Rare pair of pendant lights called "Ata", designed by Giusto Toso and manufactured in the 1970s from Leuc...
Aluminum
Italian Midcentury Stilnovo Pendant Light with Double Glasses and Brass Holder
By Stilnovo
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous pendant light with two glasses. Made in Italy by Stilnovo in the 1970s. Inside the milky glasses are melt "Murrine" glass parts, which leaves colorful spots inside the gla...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Stilnovo Opaline Glass and Brass Pendant Light , 1970s
By Stilnovo
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Mid-Century Stilnovo Opaline Glass and Brass Pendant Light , 1970s Pendant light with stunning opaline glass Made in Italy by Stilnovo. The opaline glass is in very good con...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Italian Designer Cocoon Pendant lights original from the 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Goldkant Leuchten
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Pair of Italian Designer Cocoon Pendant lights original from the 1960s Gorgeous and rare pair of cocoon pendant lights, original back from the 1960s. Made of metal frame and special...
Metal
Achille Castiglioni Italian Midcentury Pendant Light for Flos, 1965
By Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Achille Castiglioni Italian Midcentury Pendant Light for Flos, 1965 Beautiful pendant lamp called "black and white 83" with opal white glass bowl and aluminum diffusor. Made in Ita...
Aluminum
Stilnovo Pair of Pendant Lights Model 1140, Aluminum & Glass, Mid-Century Italy
By Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Stilnovo pair of adjustable pendant or suspension lights model 1140 each with white enameled aluminum shade suspending textured glass dome shade with brass fittings and suspended fro...
Aluminum, Brass, Wire
Stilnovo ceiling suspensions, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Arredoluce
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stilnovo ceiling suspensions. Italy 1960s. Opaline glass, patinated brass. Rewired for US. Height adjustable. Overall drop can be made shorter. 2 pair are available. Price is for one...
Brass
Mid-Century Modernist Stilnovo Model "1135/2" Double Pendant Light, Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
A fabulous and highly sought after Mid-Century Modernist Stilnovo model "1135/2" double ceiling pendant light, made in Italy, circa 1950s. Each light consists of a conical shaped Opaline "Triplex Opal" glass shade mounted on a brass tube with matte black enamelled metal collar & cap detail. Measures: Height of each lamp: 43cm / Diameter: 21cm / Overall max. drop including the light: 103cm / Overall width: 45cm. Stilnovo: Since its birth in 1946, Stilnovo has become a renowned leader in the world of Italian mid-century lighting. Founded in Milan by the Italian-born designer Bruno Gatta, Stilnovo was created to provide the world with stunning lighting designs that blended form and function and immediately attracted the attention of the Milan artistic milieu, as evidenced by a review in Domus by Gio Ponti, a silver medal at the X Triennale in 1954 and a Compasso d'Oro award for the Braccio lamp in 1955. Thanks to collaborations with notable designers such as Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo, Gae Aulenti, Angelo Mangiarotti and Ettore Sottsass, to name but a few, the company produced and still produces lamps that have entered the Olympus of design. From its inception, Stilnovo has been a leader in the realm of modern lighting. Its designs have become synonymous with the mid-century aesthetic, with many of its most iconic pieces still being produced today. Stilnovo’s collections range from minimalistic wall sconces...
Metal, Brass
Mid-centuy Modern Ceiling Lamp by Bruno Chiarini for Stilnovo, 1950s, Italy
By Bruno Chiarini, Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-centuy Modern Exclusive Ceiling Lamp by Bruno Chiarini for Stilnovo, 1950s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with 2x E14 light bulb Wired and...
Brass
Stilnovo Pendant Model 1135/2 Stilnovo, Italy, 1960
By Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice double pendant lamp model 1135 with nice shaped ceiling fitting for 2 pendants, designed and manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy 1960. This lamp has fittings made of brass and ...
Metal, Brass
Stilnovo Pendant Light, Italy, circa 1970
By Stilnovo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stilnovo Pendant Light, Italy, circa 1970 Offered individually. A rare yellow lacquered metal pendant attributed to De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi for Stilnovo, designed in the early ...
Metal
