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.
Gio Ponti Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Sconces, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
An eclectic personality, from his early days he was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design. He graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic i...
Brass
20th Century, Stilnovo Pair of Wall Lamps with Glass Diffusers and Chromed Metal
By Stilnovo
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Stilnovo is founded in Milan by Bruno Gatta in 1946. In December 1946 Stilnovo made its first appearance in Domus, where two table lamps and a brass tray were published. In 1949 Brun...
Brass
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Pair of Wall Lights
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Torino, Piemonte
After an apprenticeship with the glassmaker Giannotti Pietro Chiesa opened his own glass workshop in 1921. In the early 1920s he participated in the Monza Biennale, the Venice Bienna...
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Vetreria Gino Cenedese Pair of Wall Sconces mod. Mezze Fifi
By Gino Cenedese
Located in Torino, Piemonte
The Vetreria Gino Cenedese was founded in 1946 by Gino Cenedese (1907-1973), already rich in experience in the sector having worked alongside several master glassmakers (including Gi...
Brass
20th Century, Pietro Chiesa Pair of Wall Lights 40s
By Pietro Chiesa
Located in Torino, Piemonte
After an apprenticeship with the glassmaker Giannotti Pietro Chiesa opened his own glass workshop in 1921. In the early 1920s he participated in the Monza Biennale, the Venice Bienna...
Crystal, Brass
Gino Sarfatti Wall Lights mod. 239/2, Opaline Glass, Arteluce, 1970
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Gino Sarfatti was an Italian designer and businessman born in 1912 in Venice. After studying aeronaval engineering in Genoa, he founded the Arteluce company in 1939 in Milan. Its pur...
Metal
Brass and Glass Pair of Sconces Attributed to Stilnovo, 1960, Italy
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Brass and Glass Pair of Sconces Attributed to Stilnovo, 1960, Italy Elegant rare high quality wall lamps. Lamps are in very good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Sconces Perspex Brass by Stilnovo. Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern wall lights lamps sconces in white perspex lucite metacrylate, black painted lacquered metal and brass. Original Stilnovo tag. Famous design like Reggiani, Sc...
Metal, Brass
Two 1950s Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is an exquisite pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1950s, embodying the sophisticated design principles of the era's masters like Stilnovo. The sconces fea...
Brass
Two 1950s Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These wall sconces exhibit a classic 1950s mid-century modern aesthetic, inspired by Stilnovo's Italian designs. The sconces feature sleek brass frames with an angular arm structure,...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Frosted Glass and Brass Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Torquay, GB
Pair of 1950s Italian design frosted glass wall sconces in the manner of Stilnovo. Made of brass metal components with wrought iron wall brackets. The diffusers are made of frosted g...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Stilnovo wall sconce brass 1970 cast iron glass.
By Stilnovo
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of mid-century wall sconces in textured glass and brass, 1950s functioning, cast iron, brass and glass materials ready for your environment
Brass
