A sculptural presence with an almost visceral elegance, the Osso table lamp by Carlo Nason evokes both material innovation and cinematic unease. Designed for Mazzega in the 1970s, this rare lamp draws the eye with its flowing, corporeal silhouette; its organic contours not unlike a prop from a David Cronenberg film, teetering between the anatomical and the alien.

Design

Handmade from thick Murano glass, the piece takes its name from the Italian word Osso, or “bone,” a fitting reference for a lamp that curves like vertebrae in motion. Glossy, textured surfaces ripple with detail, illuminated from within by a warm internal glow that accentuates the lamp’s inner structure. The upper section ends in a chrome reflector ring, industrial and precise in contrast to the sculpted base, offering directional light that blends utility with theatricality.

Carlo Nason’s work often treads the line between the functional and the unsettling, and this model is no exception. Produced by the Venetian glassmaker Mazzega, known for its bold collaborations during the post-war period, the lamp reflects a moment when lighting design became sculptural, expressive, and at times surreal.

Condition

The condition is very good. No cracks or chips in the glass. Some mild patina on the chrome ring and fastenings, consistent with age and original use.