Rare Marcello Piacentini 1920s Floor Lamp in Patinated Copper and Maple

Marcello Piacentini, floor lamp, patinated copper and brass, glass, maple, Italy, 1927-1928

Designed by the Italian architect and urban planner Marcello Piacentini (18811960), this very rare floor lamp is a true example of 1920s Italian Art Deco. It has a very distinctive and unique shape, consisting of a round base and slender shaft entirely articulated through closely spaced ridges. A glass element leaves a beautiful contrast in material. The hemispherical shade has developed an exceptionally rich patina over time. The copper shade, both severe and elegant, possesses a richly mottled surface that lends visual depth to the piece, and is crowned by a broad brass ring marked by subtle traces of green oxidation that emerge irregularly across its surface.

Such refined details demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship associated with luxury Italian production of the period.