A landscape translated into glass and light. Carlo Nason’s LT 302 table lamp, better known as the ‘Iceberg’, turns an irregular natural form into a compact piece of Italian lighting design.

Designed by Carlo Nason for A.V. Mazzega in the 1960s, the LT 302 belongs to a series of sculptural lamps that marked a departure from more traditional Murano lighting. Nason came from a family of Murano glassmakers and sought new ways of working with the material, particularly in lighting. In an interview, he recalled that there were few genuinely modern lighting designs being produced on Murano when he began experimenting with new glass types and production methods.

Design

The Iceberg takes its name from its asymmetric, rising silhouette. Its opaline glass body moves from a low, elongated edge towards a rounded peak, giving the lamp a different profile from every viewpoint. Vertical ribs follow this contour across the surface. These moulded lines catch and refract the light, becoming especially pronounced once the lamp is switched on.

Nason explained that the Iceberg was blown into a mould, a process that created its characteristic surface. Here, the thick opaline glass has a cool, almost icy appearance when unlit; illuminated from within, it changes into a warm translucent volume. This contrast between the object by day and its appearance after dark is central to the design.

A low white-painted metal base follows the irregular footprint of the glass, leaving the sculptural shade visually dominant. Comparable LT 302 examples are documented with mould-blown opaline glass and enamelled metal bases. Its relatively low proportions suit a side table, console, low cabinet or bedside setting, where the changing surface can be viewed at close range.

The LT 302 captures Nason’s experimental approach to Murano glass in a particularly recognisable form. Part sculpture and part atmospheric light source, the Iceberg changes character as soon as it is illuminated.

Condition

The lamp is in very good vintage condition, with the glass appearing intact and retaining its clear opaline character. The painted metal base shows visible age-related wear, marks and areas of discolouration; please refer to the photographs for a closer assessment.