Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni ceiling lamp

This rare ceiling lamp, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and produced by Flos in Italy during the 1960s, represents a distinctive example of Italian mid-century modern design. The lamp’s organic and sculptural form features a spiked surface that creates a compelling three-dimensional presence. Its shade is crafted using a unique technique where plastic polymer resin is sprayed onto an iron frame, resulting in a semi-translucent shell with an irregular, textured surface. This approach diffuses light softly while maintaining structural rigidity.

The exterior displays a warm amber hue, reinforcing the lamp’s natural, almost biomorphic character. When illuminated, the lamp emits a gentle glow that reveals intricate web-like patterns within the resin. This “cocoon” technique, pioneered by the Castiglioni brothers, was inspired by industrial spray-on insulation methods and adapted to produce lightweight, durable lighting fixtures with innovative textures and forms.

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were highly influential Italian designers known for their experimental use of materials and industrial production processes. Their collaboration with Flos yielded several iconic lighting designs, many of which remain in production, reflecting their lasting impact on design.

This lamp exemplifies the Italian mid-century modern ethos of blending sculptural form with technological innovation. Its organic shape and diffuse light quality create a functional yet artistic object that embodies the Castiglioni brothers’ progressive design philosophy. The lamp remains a well-preserved example of their forward-thinking approach to lighting design.