A study in material contrast and spatial interplay, this LT323 table lamp by Carlo Nason exemplifies the poetic clarity of Italian modernist lighting. Designed in the 1970s and produced by Mazzega, the piece moves beyond function to become a sculptural object in its own right.

Design

Composed of opaline glass in a folded, square profile, the LT323 merges a flower vase and light fixture into a seamless whole. The translucent bluish casing reveals an internal opaline glass globe, softly diffusing light while visually floating at the centre. When illuminated, the layered geometry becomes animated—its inner glow filtered through the semi-transparent body, casting ambient reflections and producing a gradient of milky blues and warm ivory. A stainless steel base anchors the piece discreetly, providing stability without disturbing its optical purity.

What distinguishes this design is Nason’s ability to balance artistic experimentation with refined utility. The asymmetrical double-chambered construction offers one side as a vase, transforming the lamp into a living composition when flowers are added. This duality reflects the progressive ethos of 1970s Italian design—where formal boundaries between object and sculpture, decor and purpose, were frequently re-imagined.

An elegant fusion of design disciplines, this LT323 model is an example of Carlo Nason’s enduring dialogue with glass and light.

Condition

The lamp is in very good vintage condition, with minor signs of age to the metal base. The Murano glass is clean and intact, and the lighting is in full working order.

Literature

Model LT 323 is also extensively described on page 35 of the book on Carlo Nason 'handle with care'. And on page 96 and 97 of the Mazzega catalogue #7.