Bilia Table Lamp

Born in Milan in 1891, Gio Ponti is one of the most influential players in 20th century Italian architecture and design. Known for many important landmarks like the Pirelli tower in Milan and the Denver Art Museum, he helped co-found FontanaArte and designed many iconic pieces for this brand as well as other prominent companies. He also launched and edited an essential applied arts magazine, Domus.

One of the enduring lamps Ponti designed for FontanaArte is the Bilia Table Lamp. Conceived in 1931, it is an outstanding example of excellence and inherent honesty in applied design.

Elegant in its simplicity, the Bilia Table Lamp pairs two basic geometric shapes: the cone and sphere. This combination reveals a stunning contrast in material finishes: The frosted blown glass diffuser gently floats above the shiny nickel plating of the base. Measuring just 43 cm tall and 20 cm in diameter, this petite table lamp is anything but small: Its stark geometry always catches the eye.

The Bilia Table Lamp evokes the era of its origins, but still has an utterly modern look. As such, this versatile lamp looks right at home in both vintage and contemporary spaces. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes, including a mini version.