A futuristic gesture in glossy red, the DL5 floor lamp by Fabio Lenci is a sculptural icon of early 1970s Italian lighting design. This organic, curving silhouette reflects Lenci’s fascination with new materials and intuitive interaction between object and user.

Design

Designed in 1971 for Guzzini, the “Lampione” lamp is notable for its fluid, continuous form in ABS plastic, culminating in an arched head that houses the light source. The integrated design eliminates hard angles, echoing both Pop and Space Age sensibilities. A polished chrome ring at the centre of the stem acts as a tactile switch: turning the ring controls the light on, off, and dimming, offering a seamless functional element within the form.

The lamp’s weighted trumpet-shaped base ensures stability, while the glossy orange-red finish accentuates its dynamic contours. Its upward-reaching curve is both functional and expressive, creating directed illumination ideal for reading or accent lighting in interiors that favour sculptural modernism.

Lenci, a trained architect, worked across industrial design and interiors, often introducing innovative plastics into domestic environments. His collaboration with Guzzini, an Italian company known for pioneering work in injection-moulded acrylics, epitomises this progressive spirit. The DL5 model captures the optimism and bold experimentation that defined Italian design during this period.

A rare example of tactile interaction meeting expressive form. This piece embodies the shift towards user-centred design and technological experimentation in early 1970s lighting.

Condition
The lamp is in very good vintage condition with minor signs of use including some light wear and marks on the surface consistent with age. The dimmer ring functions properly and the lamp has been tested for operation. It is sourced from the first owner.