Glamtiques: Snoopy Table Lamp

Born in Milan in the 1910s, brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni found their love of design early on. After graduating from Milan's famed Politecnico, the brothers joined the design studio of their eldest brother, Livio. Working on projects ranging from furniture and lighting to industrial and architectural design, they collaborated with Italian design giants like Gio Ponti and famed design houses like Alessi, Bernini and Zanotta.

Inspired by found items and curious shapes, the brothers wanted to create objects that were truly unique, not mass-produced. They designed minimalistic pieces elegant in their simplicity, with exquisite craftsmanship and surprising functionality in every detail.

The Snoopy Table Lamp for Flos was produced in 1967, just one year before Pier Giacomo's death. A testament to their playful approach to their work, they designed this lamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous eponymous cartoon character by Charles M. Schulz.

This instantly recognizable table lamp marries two simple, yet incongruous materials: marble and metal. The reflector mimics the shape of Snoopy's head. The Castiglioni brothers incorporated an electronic turn dimmer into the base of the original Snoopy Lamp - an innovation at the time. The three cooling holes on top of the painted aluminum reflector, reminiscent of the finger holes on a bowling ball, also serve as a grip to move the lamp. The base of the light is made of fine Italian Carrara marble, providing structural integrity while evoking the history of classic Italian design.

The lamp is a masterpiece of contemporary design, elegant and refined yet timelessly modern. Originally released with a matte finish in a limited edition of only 1,700 lamps, the Snoopy Table Lamp has since been available with an enameled reflector in green, black or orange. Flos marked the lamp's 50th anniversary in 2017 by releasing a special matte black edition.

Honoring the Castiglioni brothers' innovative spirit, Flos updated the technology when reintroducing the lamp in 2003. Today's lamp features a touch sensor dimmer and is also LED-compatible. Playful and full of personality, the Snoopy Table Lamp feels fresh and current despite its long history.