‘Acrilica 281’ table lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Joe Colombo for Oluce
Design: 1960s | Manufactured: 1960s
The Acrilica 281 table lamp, designed by Joe Colombo in collaboration with his brother Gianni Colombo for Oluce in 1962, is a landmark in Italian lighting design. Its innovative use of curved transparent acrylic allows light to travel from the metal base through the body of the lamp, creating a glowing, sculptural arc. The Acrilica earned Joe Colombo the Gold Medal at the 1964 Milan Triennale and later became part of major museum collections worldwide. At its debut, the lamp astonished audiences, appearing more like a kinetic sculpture than a conventional light source, while showcasing a groundbreaking technical feat. At the time, it pushed the boundaries of what was possible with plastic, merging art, design, and innovation into a single luminous form.
Condition
The lamp is in very good vintage condition, showing only minor signs of use consistent with age. There a two chips of paint missing from the black metal.Dimensions
W24 x D26 x H24 cmOrigin
ItalyMaterial
Metal, GlassAbout the designer
Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo (1930–1971) was an Italian designer and architect celebrated for his visionary approach to modern living. Known for his futuristic and modular designs, he sought to create adaptable environments suited to the evolving needs of contemporary life. His work, ranging from furniture and lighting to entire living systems, combined advanced materials with bold, sculptural forms. Despite his short career, Colombo’s inventive spirit and forward-thinking designs, such as the Acrilica 281 lamp and the Elda chair, left a lasting impact on 20th-century design.
About the manufacturer
Oluce