Table Lamps model "Trepiù"
Manufactured by Stilnovo
Italy, 1970s
Chrome plated brass, Plastic

Measurements
53 x 16 x 53h cm
21 x 7 x 21h in

Provenance
Private Collection

Literature
Stilnovo catalogue 32, page 132.

Biography
Gae Aulenti (1927 – 2012) and Livio Castiglioni (1911 – 1979) were two influential figures in the world of Italian design, whose individual contributions and collaborations significantly shaped 20th-century design and architecture. Aulenti was celebrated for her multidisciplinary approach, excelling in architecture, industrial design, and interiors. Among her most renowned works are the transformation of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris into a museum and the interior renovations of the Palazzo Grassi in Venice. In lighting design, she was the creator of iconic pieces like the Pipistrello lamp (1965) for Martinelli Luce, which remains a classic example of Italian design ingenuity.

Livio Castiglioni was a trailblazer in lighting and industrial design, collaborating closely with his brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo in the earlier part of his career. His work with Phonola radios and for Fontana Arte marked him as an innovator in modern design. Castiglioni was a founding member of ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale), fostering the growth of industrial design in Italy.
While Aulenti and Castiglioni were individually prominent, their paths intersected in key collaborations in lighting and interior design. Both were associated with Fontana Arte, a company that became a hub for Italian design talent. Together, they contributed to designs that combined functionalism with artistic expression, emphasizing material innovation and timeless aesthetics. Their shared dedication to experimenting with materials like glass, metal, and innovative lighting systems positioned them as leaders in the movement that brought Italian design to international prominence.