Set of 2 Stilnovo wall sconces (marked) in metal and brass, Italy, 1960s.

Set of two wall sconces by Stilnovo, designed by its founder Bruno Gatta, Italy, 1950s. Stilnovo was one of the most influential Italian lighting companies of the post-war period. Founded in 1946 in Milan, it became a key player in defining the aesthetic 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, ingenious details, and timelessness. This set is a particularly remarkable example. The deep red shades and white supports retain their original lacquer, both in very good condition with only slight signs of wear. The best photo to see their true color is the one taken in the studio with the lamps lit. It is not easy to show their true color on a screen, but this photo is the closest. The video is also very true to color. Normally, there is not as much light on the lamps, so in daylight and in a room, they tend to be a bit darker red than in the photos. The brass arms have been left unpolished, as seen in the photos, to preserve their authentic patina, but they can be polished upon request. The lamps can be mounted in two ways, facing up or down, allowing for flexible configurations depending on the space. The red color is exceptional—bright yet elegant—and works beautifully to bring warmth and contrast to a room. Rounded shapes like these help soften linear spaces and add rhythm. The suspension system is clever and quick, and the brass rods are very well made, reflecting Stilnovo's attention to detail. All lamps are fully functional. One of the photos shows two lamps next to a "Leggere" chair by Gio Ponti to provide scale and illustrate their size. Literature: • T. Bräuniger, Stilnovo. Apparecchi per Illuminazione, Luminaires Modernistes Editions, Berlin, 2016, p. 124. • Domus, no. 369, August 1960 (Stilnovo advertisement). • Stilnovo Catalogue, Milan, 1965, p. 10. • For similar examples, see Domus 1955–1959, Stilnovo advertisement, p. 515. Dimensions. Height: 35 cm.