Set of 4 Wall Lights by Stilnovo (marked) in Metal and Brass, Italy, 1960's

Set of four wall lamps by Stilnovo, designed by its founder Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1950s. Stilnovo was one of the most influential Italian lighting companies of the postwar period. Founded in 1946 in Milan, it became a key player in shaping the look of modern Italian interiors during the 1950s and 60s. Their work combined functional innovation with refined elegance, and they collaborated with leading designers such as Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Joe Colombo, and Gaetano Sciolari. Today, original Stilnovo pieces are highly sought after by collectors and interior designers for their architectural clarity, clever detailing, and timeless appeal.

This set is a particularly striking example. The deep red shades and white mounts still retain their original lacquer, both in very good condition with only minor traces of age. The best picture to see their real colour is the one in the studio setting where the lights are switched on. It's not easy to show their real colour on a screen but this photo resembles their real colour the best. The video is very real too btw. Normally there is not this much light on the lamps so in normal daylight and inside a room they tend to be a bit darker red than on the pictures if you know what I mean. The brass arms were left unpolished as you can see on the pictures to keep their authentic patina but can be polished on request (some people like them old).

The lamps can be mounted in two ways, facing upwards or downwards, allowing for flexible arrangements depending on the space. The red colour is exceptional—vivid but elegant—and works beautifully to bring warmth and contrast into a room. Rounded forms like these help to soften linear spaces and add rhythm.

The hanging system is clever and quick, and the brass rods are beautifully made, reflecting Stilnovo’s focus on thoughtful detailing. All lamps are fully functional.

One of the photos shows two lamps next to a 'Leggere' chair by Gio Ponti for scale, illustrating their size. A complete set of four like this is rare and theyt will not be sold separately unfortunately (but I do have one single red one available btw)

Literature:
• T. Bräuniger, Stilnovo. Apparecchi per Illuminazione, Éditions Luminaires Modernistes, Berlin, 2016, p. 124.
• Domus, no. 369, August 1960 (Stilnovo advertisement).
• Stilnovo Catalogue, Milan, 1965, p. 10.
• For related examples, see Domus 1955–1959, Stilnovo advertisement, p. 515.