Model 180 Marble Table Lamp

This refined Model 180 table lamp was designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. Defined by its architectural simplicity and careful use of materials, the lamp combines a solid Carrara marble base with a generously proportioned fabric shade. The restrained composition reflects Florence Knoll's characteristic approach to interiors and furniture, in which clear geometry, functionality and high-quality materials take precedence over decoration.

The base is formed from a rectangular block of Carrara marble, its clean lines softened by the natural grey veining of the stone. Each piece of marble has its own individual pattern, giving the otherwise rigorous geometric form a subtle organic quality. A minimal metal fitting connects the marble base to the shade, maintaining the clarity of the overall design.

The large original shade provides a deliberate counterpoint to the narrow vertical base. Its gently tapered profile creates a balanced silhouette and diffuses the light into a warm, atmospheric glow. The contrast between the visual weight of the solid marble and the lightness of the fabric shade is central to the character of the design.

Florence Knoll was one of the defining figures of post-war American modernism. Through Knoll, she developed a comprehensive approach to interior architecture in which furniture, textiles, lighting and spatial planning were considered as parts of a unified environment. The Model 180 lamp reflects this architectural sensibility particularly well: understated in form, carefully proportioned and designed to integrate naturally into a modern interior.

This example retains its original vintage shade, an important element in preserving the proportions and character of the design.

Reference: Knoll Associates, Inc. Price List May 1, 1964, p. 72