Martinelli Luce.

Martinelli Luce

Martinelli Luce is the Italian lighting editor founded in Lucca, Tuscany, in the 1950s by Elio Martinelli. The house emerged as an Italian design reference through a catalogue centred on injection-moulded plastic luminaires and methacrylate furniture, signed primarily by Elio Martinelli himself and by Gae Aulenti, who designed in 1965 the Pipistrello, the founding icon of the house. Martinelli Luce remains independent, with production concentrated in Lucca, today led by Emiliana Martinelli, daughter of the founder. LAPIERRE sources and authenticates primarily Martinelli Luce lamps from productions of 1965 to 2010.

Brand history

Elio Martinelli, trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, founded his lighting workshop in the 1950s in Lucca, a Tuscan city historically tied to the textile industry and glassmaking. The house positioned itself from the start on designer lighting, exploiting the industrial possibilities of injection-moulded plastic and moulded methacrylate, then new materials in high-end lighting. Elio Martinelli signed most of the early catalogue pieces: Bolla (1968), Cobra (1968), Serpente (1965), Trilly (1972), Lampara (1969).

The major turning point came in 1965 with the commission given to Gae Aulenti, a young Milan architect aged 38. Aulenti designed for the Olivetti Paris offices a lamp with white opal methacrylate shade and telescopic metal rod: the Pipistrello. The piece was industrialised by Martinelli Luce the same year and quickly became an Italian design icon. The Pipistrello has been continuously produced since and structures the house's identity. Aulenti did not sign other major pieces for Martinelli, but the Pipistrello alone inscribed the house in the history of Italian post-war lighting.

Under the leadership of Emiliana Martinelli, daughter of the founder, from the 1990s, the house gradually expanded its catalogue while maintaining production of historic pieces. Emiliana Martinelli has signed several pieces herself (Polluce, Hanami, Trilogy). Contemporary collaborations have been forged with Karim Rashid, Marc Sadler, Brian Sironi, and other international designers. The house remains independent, based in Lucca, with production concentrated in Tuscany. The contemporary catalogue articulates reissues of historic pieces and new collections, with emphasis on LED sources in recent productions.

Signature pieces we source

Pipistrello (Gae Aulenti, 1965). Mushroom lamp with white opal methacrylate shade and telescopic metal rod, cast aluminium base. Designed for the Olivetti Paris offices. Declined as standard table lamp, Minitax (mini version), large floor lamp. Major signature piece.

Cobra (Elio Martinelli, 1968). Articulated injection-moulded plastic lamp with sinuous profile, central ball-joint articulation. Table lamp or wall sconce depending on configuration. Elio Martinelli signature piece, demanded in white and black.

Serpente (Elio Martinelli, 1965). Suspension in coiled tubular plastic, characteristic spiralled form. 1960s signature piece, demanded for its sculptural character.

Trilly (Elio Martinelli, 1972). Compact table lamp with cylindrical methacrylate shade, lacquered base. Common piece of the 1970s Martinelli catalogue.

Bolla (Elio Martinelli, 1968). Spherical suspension in transparent methacrylate, metal frame. Several sizes available depending on configuration.

Lampara (Elio Martinelli, 1969). Table lamp with methacrylate diffuser, metal base. 1970s catalogue piece.

Authenticating an original

Authentication of a Martinelli Luce lamp rests on combined markings. Martinelli Luce marking: engraved, stamped, or labelled on the metal base depending on model and era. The Martinelli logo has evolved little and remains recognisable. Period label: Martinelli Luce label glued under the base or inside the diffuser on early productions, mentioning lamp name and designer (Elio Martinelli, Gae Aulenti). Material consistency: white opal methacrylate of Pipistrello shade, single-piece moulded, uniform thickness, characteristic milky-white tone. Functional chromed or lacquered telescopic metal rod. Cast aluminium base with lacquered finish. Injection-moulded plastic for Cobra and Serpente with characteristic moulding quality. Electrical marking: CE label and voltage/wattage marking compliant with European standards on recent productions. Pipistrello copies frequently present lower-quality methacrylate (more translucent, more yellowish than original opal, thinner), imprecise telescopic rod adjustment, or lightened base. Vintage valuation accounts for slight methacrylate patina that may yellow with time: this is a sign of authentic age, not a defect.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

Each incoming Martinelli Luce lamp is inspected for markings, methacrylate or injection-moulded plastic condition, telescopic rod function for Pipistrello, electrical wiring, and dimensional consistency with the Martinelli standard. Pipistrellos are checked for methacrylate diffuser integrity, height-adjustment stability, base condition, and wiring. Cobras and Serpentes are checked for plastic integrity and absence of cracks at articulations. Pieces whose authenticity cannot be confirmed are refused. For sold pieces, LAPIERRE can offer minor electrical work (socket replacement, CE compliance) via partner workshop if necessary.

Request a search

A specific Martinelli Luce lamp (Pipistrello, Cobra, Serpente, Trilly) in a particular colour, size, or condition not currently in selection? Write to LAPIERRE with the brief: model, finish, size, desired condition. Our team activates its Italian and European sourcing network. Response within a few days with availability and quote.