Bilia Table Lamp

The Bilia Table Lamp was created by Gio Ponti for the manufacturer Fontana Arte.

Gio Ponti 1891-1979 ranks among the most influential figures in 20th century Italian architecture and design. As an architect, he was responsible for a long list of enduring landmarks such as the Pirelli tower in Milan and the Denver Art Museum. As a designer, he helped to co-found Fontana Arte and created many iconic pieces not only for that company but also for several other prestigious brands. In addition, he established and edited Domus, an important magazine about the applied arts.

A large number of Gio Ponti's designs remain in production to this day, including the Bilia Table Lamp, which was originally conceived in 1931. Measuring 43cm in height and 20cm in diameter, it features a juxtaposition of two simple geometrical shapes: the cone and the sphere. This is enhanced by the contrast between the frosted finish of the blown glass diffuser and the gleaming nickel plating of the base. Evocative of the era in which it was designed but still very much in tune with contemporary taste, the Bilia Table Lamp fits equally well into period and modern homes.