Pipistrello Lamp

Italian architect Gae Aulenti first designed the beloved and iconic Pipistrello lamp in 1965, manufactured by Martinelli Luce. Though the shape of the opal shade is reminiscent of a flower blossom with Art Nouveau undertones, the telescopic base is more austere with a machine-like, industrial expression. The marriage of these two seemingly disparate approaches was characteristic of Aulenti, who designed for a wide variety of disciplines, including products, graphics, furniture, lighting and buildings – perhaps her architectural triumph is considered the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, completed between 1980-1986.