MAX INGRAND, 1954
OBJECT
Max Ingrand, a renowned glass artist and French designer from the 1950s, designed the Model 1853 Fontana lamp in 1954. His inspiration came from the art world, as Ingrand created his famous table lamp after seeing a vase by sculptor Piero Raimondi, who at the time was working with Ingrand at Fontana. Ingrand served as Fontana’s artistic director for over a decade, and the company later became known as FontanaArte.
The Fontana table lamp is known among design enthusiasts and historians as “1853,” a nickname that has endured. This lamp is a symbol of timeless design, still a best-seller and an enduring icon. Over time, it has become the emblematic product of the company that manufactures it.
Thanks to its different lighting options, the Fontana lamp meets various lighting needs, from a soft glow for relaxation to a stronger light for reading, and even ambient and emotional lighting through indirect illumination.
MAX INGRAND'S PROJECT
The uniqueness and success of this lamp are primarily due to the innovation Max Ingrand brought to his design for a table or bedside lamp.
Its distinctive feature is its multiple lighting capability: both the base and the lampshade contain one or more light sources. The largest model even offers indirect lighting, with an additional light source radiating upwards.
This transforms what appears to be the most classic of table lamps into a clever and innovative piece, appealing to a discerning audience and continuing to enjoy great popularity.
In Max Ingrand’s words, “Light and color are certainly the most specific elements in nature. With them, we have serenity, movement, and life. In fact, the history of architecture tells us about the role of illuminated, opaque, and translucent color in interior and exterior architecture. Light was no longer just a means to bring life to colors but became a means to bring an entire architecture to life.”
Fontana 1853: AWARDS
The Fontana 1853 lamp has established its place in design history, ranking as one of the great classics of designer lighting. As mentioned, the company continues to produce it in three different sizes and four color variations, demonstrating its enduring popularity and sales success, making it the most representative product of the company (other timeless designs produced by FontanaArte include Bilia by Gio Ponti and Tavolo con Ruote by Gae Aulenti, iconic pieces of Italian design).
Over the years, the Fontana 1853 lamp has been exhibited and collected by the world’s most prestigious design museums, including the Triennale di Milano.
FontanaArte
Founded in Milan in 1881, FontanaArte is primarily dedicated to lighting but extends beyond it. The company boasts a rich history, with artistic directors of the caliber of Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand, and Gae Aulenti leading from 1932 onwards. This era saw the creation of timeless design icons such as the Bilia, Luminator, and Fontana lamps, as well as the famous Tavolo con Ruote.
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DETAILS
Produced by FontanaArte
The original version of the table lamp Fontana 1853 is available on Finnishdesignshop.com >
Fontana Grande:
- Diameter: 47 cm
- Height: 78 cm
Fontana Medium:
- Diameter: 32 cm
- Height: 53 cm
Fontana Small:
- Diameter: 20 cm
- Height: 34 cm
Frame: Painted metal
Diffuser and base: Satin-finish blown glass, available in white or colored glossy glass.
