Giuseppe Ostuni lamps

This rare pair of table or wall lamps, model Ochetta, was designed by Giuseppe Ostuni and produced by Oluce in Italy during the 1950s. The design captures Ostuni’s characteristic focus on flexibility and adjustability, reflecting the broader ethos of Italian mid-century lighting where technical precision met sculptural form.

Each lamp features a combination of brass and lacquered metal. The tripod base, made of bent brass tubing, forms three asymmetrically positioned legs, giving the structure both stability and a sense of visual tension. One leg terminates in a circular ring, allowing the lamp to be wall-mounted—demonstrating its dual functionality as both table and wall lighting. The shades are formed from spun metal, finished in a deep green matte lacquer, and decorated with subtle perforations near the crown to allow ambient light to escape. The interior of each shade is painted white to enhance reflective qualities and provide soft, directed illumination.

The compact yet expressive silhouette is defined by the careful proportioning of the spherical brass joint and angled legs, which give the lamp a poised and balanced appearance. The shades are adjustable via the brass joint, allowing users to direct light precisely where needed. The green lacquer and brass combination is typical of the era, lending an industrial yet elegant aesthetic that is immediately recognizable as Italian design from the postwar period.

Giuseppe Ostuni (1907–1994), founder of Oluce in 1945, was a key figure in Italy’s postwar design renaissance. His lighting designs often prioritized adaptability, with pivoting arms, swiveling heads, and multipurpose fixtures being central themes. Oluce, one of Italy’s longest-standing lighting manufacturers, collaborated with a number of important designers such as Joe Colombo and Tito Agnoli, playing a major role in establishing Italian lighting as a global reference point for innovation and elegance.

Each lamp measures 29 cm in width, 15 cm in depth, and 23 cm in height (11.4 x 5.9 x 9.1 inches). Both examples remain in very good vintage condition, showing a natural patina to the brass surfaces and minor wear to the lacquer, consistent with age and use. The original wiring appears intact and functional, preserving the integrity and authenticity of the lamps. This model stands as a testament to Ostuni’s ingenuity and the distinctive quality of Italian lighting design in the 1950s.