Table lamp in ceramic, Italian Renaissance, Cantagalli style, circa 1880-1900.

Italian 19th-century Renaissance Revival majolica table lamp, Cantagalli style, with a new hand-pleated vintage silk sari shade and new wiring . Exquisitely handcrafted by Amitābha Studio in Amsterdam from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase (circa 1880–1900), Cosimo is a one-of-a-kind table lamp. The base—a richly detailed ceramic vessel inspired by the maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta—has been thoughtfully paired with a bespoke pleated silk lampshade made from a vintage Indian sari, and finished with a warm ochre cord that echoes the vase’s palette. The lamp was created without harming the original vase in any way. This antique vessel bears all the hallmarks of revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence, known for reinterpreting Renaissance forms with painterly precision and symbolic richness. One side features a classical medallion portrait of a noblewoman—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coinage and humanist ideals. The reverse reveals a fantastical creature—part dragon, part sea beast—surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized, ambiguous form echoes the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid figures drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the surfaces of maiolica and frescoes alike. Framing these central vignettes are arabesques in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze in the Raffaellesque decorative tradition. The hand-pleated lampshade was pleated by hand in an atelier near Amsterdam from a vintage silk sari, chosen for its earthy floral pattern and delicate texture. Its tailored silhouette and natural tones complement the base’s ornamentation, creating a unified, layered object that bridges centuries of design. Cosimo stands as a luminous convergence of history and contemporary design—where the layered iconography of Renaissance Italy meets sustainable modern craftsmanship. Ideal for collectors and connoisseurs of meaningful décor, this lamp lends patina, narrative, and a cultivated sense of place to any sophisticated interior. Please note: the listed height includes the lampshade. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! ⸻ About Amitābha Studio: Amitābha Studio is a design atelier dedicated to transforming historic European ceramics into one-of-a-kind lighting objects. Each lamp is crafted with deep reverence for the original form, using non-invasive methods that preserve the integrity of every antique or vintage vase. We pair these bases with bespoke lampshades—often made from luxurious textiles such as vintage sari silks or fine European fabrics—and finish each piece with carefully selected cords, fittings, and handmade brass elements. Our work is guided by a commitment to sustainability, cultural heritage, and timeless design.