Artemide.

Artemide

Artemide is the Italian lighting editor founded in 1960 in Pregnana Milanese by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza. The house emerged from the mid-1960s as a major actor of Italian design through a catalogue of strongly signed lamps: Eclisse by Vico Magistretti (1965, Compasso d'Oro), Nesso by Giancarlo Mattioli (1962), Tizio by Richard Sapper (1972), Tolomeo by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina (1986, Compasso d'Oro). The catalogue is centred on the lamp: ergonomics, lighting technology, rational design. LAPIERRE sources and authenticates primarily Artemide lamps from productions of 1965 to 2000.

Brand history

Artemide was founded in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi, an aeronautical engineer trained at the Milan Polytechnic, and Sergio Mazza, a designer. The house settled in Pregnana Milanese, in the Milan periphery, and positioned itself from the start as a designer lighting editor. The first commercial successes came in 1962 with the Nesso lamp by Giancarlo Mattioli, mushroom lamp in injection-moulded ABS monobloc winner of a Domus prize, then in 1965 with Vico Magistretti's Eclisse, small bedside lamp with double rotating shell winner of the 1967 Compasso d'Oro.

Under Ernesto Gismondi, who took sole leadership from the 1970s, Artemide expanded its catalogue. Vico Magistretti became a central collaborator, signing the Eclisse, Mezzachimera, Chimera, and Dalu. Richard Sapper designed the Tizio in 1972: the first desk lamp with integrated low-voltage transformer and counterweight-balanced arm became an icon of industrial design and has been produced since. Michele De Lucchi joined the catalogue in the 1980s, and signed with Giancarlo Fassina the Tolomeo in 1986. The Tolomeo, articulated lamp with tensioned-cable-balanced arm, won the 1989 Compasso d'Oro and became one of the bestselling lamps in Artemide's history.

From the 1990s and 2000s, the house opened to international collaborations: Karim Rashid, Mario Bellini, Ross Lovegrove, Patricia Urquiola, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, the Bouroullecs. The catalogue progressively integrated LED sources, sensors, and smart-home integration. Ernesto Gismondi led the house until his passing in 2020. Artemide remains listed on the Milan stock exchange, with production primarily concentrated in Italy.

Signature pieces we source

Tizio (Richard Sapper, 1972). Desk lamp with integrated low-voltage transformer in the base, counterweight-balanced arm, 12V halogen bulb (LED in recent productions). Major signature piece. Sought after in original matte black.

Eclisse (Vico Magistretti, 1965). Small bedside or accent lamp with double rotating shell, eclipse principle allowing light modulation. 1967 Compasso d'Oro. Sought-after colours: orange, white, matte black. Early productions in lacquered metal.

Tolomeo (Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, 1986). Articulated lamp with tensioned-cable-balanced arm in polished aluminium, pivoting aluminium shade. 1989 Compasso d'Oro. Declined as Tolomeo Tavolo (desk), Tolomeo Terra (floor), Tolomeo Parete (wall), Tolomeo Mini, Tolomeo Mega.

Nesso (Giancarlo Mattioli, 1962). Mushroom lamp in injection-moulded ABS monobloc, fully plastic structure. One of the first injection-moulded plastic monobloc lamps. Sought after in orange or white.

Mezzachimera and Chimera (Vico Magistretti, 1969). Floor lamps in striated methacrylate, monolithic forms. Magistretti signature pieces for Artemide.

Bellini Area pieces (Mario Bellini, 1974). Ceiling lights and wall sconces in lacquered metal. Bellini, better known for Cassina pieces, also signed for Artemide several luminaires from the 1970s.

Authenticating an original

Authentication of an Artemide lamp rests on combined markings. Artemide marking: engraved or stamped on the base, diffuser, or under the shade depending on model. The Artemide logo has evolved little and remains recognisable. Model number: Artemide internal reference, sometimes marked near the brand mark. Component consistency: original Artemide transformer for Tizio (early productions: imposing magnetic transformer), polished aluminium shade for Tolomeo, ABS double shell for Eclisse, ABS injection-moulded monobloc for Nesso. Electrical marking: CE label and voltage/wattage marking compliant with European standards. Copies frequently present absent or false markings, lower-quality transformers, lacquers shinier or matter than original, or imprecise proportions or articulations. The Tizio in particular is heavily counterfeited: a balancing functional test and transformer examination allow identification.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

Each incoming Artemide lamp is inspected for markings, lacquer and electrical-component condition, transformer or LED-driver function, and dimensional consistency with the Artemide standard. Tizios are tested for balancing, transformer function, and lighting. Tolomeos are checked for cable tension and arm condition. Eclisses are checked for double-shell rotation and lacquer. Pieces whose authenticity cannot be confirmed are refused. For sold pieces, LAPIERRE can offer halogen-to-compatible-LED bulb swap upon request, or minor electrical work via partner workshop.

Request a search

A specific Artemide lamp (Tizio, Tolomeo, Eclisse, Nesso) in a particular colour or condition not currently in selection? Write to LAPIERRE with the brief: model, finish, colour, desired condition. Our team activates its Italian and European sourcing network. Response within a few days with availability and quote.