Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce ‘Cobra’ Table Lamp

Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, ‘Cobra’ table lamp, model ‘12919’, chrome-plated brass, iron, coated aluminum, Italy, circa 1962

This outstanding table lamp model ‘12919’ known as ‘il Cobra’ by Arredoluce workers, is designed by Italian designer Angelo Lelii (1911-1979) for Arredoluce around 1962. In many ways is the design of the ‘Cobra’ one-of-a-kind. The story tells that Angelo Lelii drew the first idea of a magnetized globe as light source on a paper napkin during a flight to the US. His first idea was followed by multiple experiments until he was content with the results. Like the nickname ‘il Cobra’ already suggests, the table lamp awakens the association of the head of a snake. The highlight of this design is the thin chrome-plated brass stem that develops into an oval shape, surrounding the lightbulb. It is one of the first lamps employing an adjustable magnetized globe which allows the user to adjust the direction of the light. The cylindrical round base is coated in off-white. The lamp can be turned on/off with the built-in switch bottom which is located on the base. On the bottom the piece is signed with the manufacturer’s label.
Paolo Angelo Lelii (1911-1979) was born in Ancona, Italy. After his studies at the Superior Institute of Industrial Art, Milan, he lived and worked in Monza. From 1943, Lelii started manufacturing lamps in his own house and in 1946 he advertised his well-known 'Tris' lamp in Domus magazine. It was in 1947 that he founded Arredoluce in Monza, a premier manufacturer of furniture and lighting. In the same year, he exhibited the lamp 12128 at the VII Triennale di Milano, which became known as the Triennale floor lamp. He became an influential designer in Postwar Italy, especially in the field of modern lighting design. During the 1950s, Arredoluce started to collaborate with designers such as Franco Albini, Achille Castiglioni, Gio Ponti, and Ettore Sottsass and also began to experiment with halogen light bulbs for his designs, which lead to the recognizable Arredoluce switch. Thanks to Angelo Lelii’s unique approach to design, Arredoluce quickly built a reputation for creating premium quality products based on clean, simple, and functional designs.

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