Paolo Tilche floor lamp

This rare and sculptural floor lamp, model S3, was designed by Italian architect and designer Paolo Tilche in 1972. Produced by Sirrah, a lighting manufacturer based in Bologna, Italy, the lamp exemplifies the avant-garde and technically experimental designs for which Sirrah was known during the 1960s and 70s.

The lamp is constructed entirely from chromed metal, featuring a highly polished reflective finish. Its design is a geometric arrangement of spherical and linear elements. The lamp consists of a long, slender rod that is counterbalanced and anchored into a sculptural base. The base is made up of a large chromed sphere resting in a semicircular support, which is mounted on a circular base ring. The light source is housed in a hemispherical head with a distinctive open, wedge-like cutout, directing the light into a sharply defined cone. The inner side of the lamp head features a blue socket fitting, which provides a subtle color contrast visible only from certain angles.

The form of the lamp is both minimal and futuristic, with the design allowing for dynamic adjustments of angles and light projection. This flexibility enables the creation of sculptural light-shadow effects, enhancing the lamp’s visual impact in various settings. Tilche’s work, particularly in lighting, reflects his interest in architectural lighting and kinetic expression, incorporating both optical and mechanical features into his designs. The lamp’s appearance in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me further underscores its cultural significance as a symbol of high-concept modern design from the era.

This particular example of the S3 lamp was purchased in 1973 at Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen, Denmark, a renowned retail destination for progressive design at the time. The lamp remains in good vintage condition, with minor signs of age and surface wear, including light oxidation and some patina on the chrome. Despite these age-related characteristics, the lamp is fully functional and retains its striking presence.

The dimensions of the lamp are 23 cm in width, 80 cm in depth, and 140 cm in height (approximately 9 inches wide, 31.5 inches deep, and 55 inches high). This piece represents a remarkable example of 1970s Italian lighting design, combining minimalism with kinetic expression and technical innovation.