Travertine Table Lamps by Giuliano Cesari for Nucleo, 1971, Set of 2

A rare pair of sculptural travertine table lamps designed by Giuliano Cesari for Nucleo, a division of Sormani S.p.A., Italy, circa 1971. A rare pair of travertine table lamps attributed to Giuliano Cesari and produced by Nucleo, a division of Sormani S.p.A., in the early 1970s. Crafted from solid travertine, these lamps are an excellent example of the formal experimentation that characterized Italian design of the era, in which natural stone was worked as a true sculptural medium. The cylindrical volume is hollowed out, creating a subtle interplay of solid and void that partially conceals the light source and produces a warm, diffused light. The surfaces retain the natural porosity and color variations typical of travertine, features that make each piece unique. The minimalist, architectural form evokes the dialogue between Italian modernism and Brutalist sensibilities that characterized some of the most interesting designs by Nucleo, a division of Sormani S.p.A., in the early 1970s. A decorative pair with a strong visual impact, ideal for modern and contemporary interiors or collections dedicated to 20th-century Italian design. Giuliano Cesari is one of the Italian designers who collaborated with Nucleo, a division of Sormani S.p.A., between the late 1960s and the early 1970s, contributing to the development of a lighting collection characterized by an in-depth exploration of the sculptural qualities of stone materials. His work is recognizable for: the use of solid travertine; clean, simple geometries; hollowed-out volumes; indirect lighting; and the interplay between Brutalism and Italian Minimalism. Many of his projects are now highly sought after on the international market precisely because they represent some of the finest examples of the use of marble in Italian design of that period. These lamps were produced by Nucleo, the experimental division of Sormani S.p.A., one of the most important Italian companies in the field of postwar modern furniture. Founded in Arosio, in the Brianza region, Sormani collaborated with some of the most important Italian designers of the 20th century, distinguishing itself through a body of work focused on formal and technological innovation. In the late 1960s, the company established Nucleo, a division dedicated to design research in the field of lighting and home furnishings. More than just a brand, Nucleo served as a true creative laboratory within the company, where designers and engineers could experiment with new forms of expression and materials that were unusual for the time, including travertine, marble, chrome-plated metal, acrylic glass, and resins. Nucleo's designs are characterized by a strong sculptural and architectural element, in line with the most cutting-edge trends in Italian design of the early 1970s. The lamps attributed to Giuliano Cesari are among the most representative examples of this body of work, in which natural stone is worked like a malleable material and the function of lighting blends harmoniously with the sculptural form. Today, the objects produced by Nucleo are considered among the most original and sought-after examples of Italian design from that period and are featured in the collections of numerous galleries and specialized dealers worldwide.