Gino Sarfatti 537/G table lamp Arteluce Italy 1950

Gino Sarfatti

Italy 1912 – 1984
Engineer, lighting designer

The 537/G table lamp, an exceptionally rare and early design by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in 1950, is a remarkable example of mid-century Italian lighting design. Its minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic is characterized by a subtly angled tubular metal stem that culminates in a conical white Carrara marble base, adding a touch of timeless elegance. The lamp features a round, dark green lacquered aluminum shade, which creates a unique visual effect by giving the impression that the stem continues through the shade and ends in a handle-like form. This handle not only enhances the lamp’s visual appeal but also serves a practical purpose, offering easy adjustability.

What sets this version of the 537/G apart from more common iterations is its distinctive color and material combination. While most 537 models are crafted with brass stem and black or white shades, this piece stands out with its dark green shade and metal stem, suggesting it may have been a special commission or an experimental version. The shade remains in good condition, showing charming craquelure around the stem, which adds character and attests to its vintage authenticity. The on/off switch, conveniently located on the socket, adds to its functionality. The original Arteluce sticker is still present inside the shade, further confirming its provenance.

Literature; Gino Sarfatti 1938-1973 selected works Silvana Editoriale, Romanelli & Severi, page 427.

Gino Sarfatti – born in Venice in 1912 and with an educational background in engineering – started designing lamps and founded the company ‘Arteluce’ (the art of lighting) in 1939. Arteluce quickly established itself as a leading actor in shaping the modern Italian architectural movement and became a meeting place and hub for many of the leading Italian mid-century designers, including Franco Albini, Gianfranco Frattini, Sergio Asti and Ico Parisi for example.

Sarfatti designed over 400 lighting products and made a significant contribution to innovating lighting design by experimenting with new materials, production methodologies and light sources. In 1951, he first began to work with plexi-glass. Gino Sarfatti was the first to design a lamp that uses halogen bulbs back in 1971. Sarfatti and Arteluce received several design awards including e.g., the prestigious Compasso d’Oro in 1954 and 1955, and the Honorary Diploma at the Milan Triennale. Arteluce was sold to Flos in 1973 and took over production of many lights.

This lamp is checked in our own atelier, cleaned and is also suitable for use in the USA. For US usage we could change the plug, or you can get a converter if needed for a floor or table lamp with transformer in it.

• Good original condition, craquelé on the shade around the middle part.
• Checked and working for European standards.