Poltronova - Superstudio - Table lamp - Gherpe - Perspex





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Gherpe table lamp designed by Superstudio for Poltronova, in red Perspex, circa 1960–1970, with dimensions 54 cm W x 31 cm D x 38 cm H, in excellent used condition and in working order.
Description from the seller
Icon of Radical Design: Table Lamp 'Gherpe' by Superstudio for Poltronova
We present at auction an authentic luminous sculpture: the Gherpe lamp, designed in 1967 by the group Superstudio and produced by Poltronova. This object is not just a lamp, but a manifesto of avant-garde design that shattered traditional aesthetic canons to introduce a new idea of interaction between light and form.
Design and History: Beyond Form
Born in the creative ferment of 1960s Florence, the Gherpe is the perfect expression of Radical Design:
Shell Structure: The lamp is composed of a series of petals or shells in Perspex (acrylic) that recall the shape of a marine creature or a armored shell.
Modularity and Light: Thanks to the central pivot, the Perspex crests can be oriented and overlapped as desired, allowing the user to modify not only the lamp’s shape but also the intensity and diffusion of the light beam.
Historical Value: The Gherpe breaks the rigidity of classical modernism to embrace organic and playful forms, becoming a fundamental piece of the Poltronova collection and of the international museum landscape.
Lot Conditions
The lot at auction presents itself in excellent used condition with only minor signs of wear:
Materials: The Perspex retains its original brightness and color depth. The surface is glossy and does not show deep scratches or significant yellowing.
Mechanical: The rotation system of the petals is fluid and functional, allowing configuration adjustment without effort.
Components: The lamp retains all original components, testimony to careful conservation over time.
Dimensions
Width: 54 cm
Depth: 31 cm
Height: 38 cm
Acquiring a Gherpe lamp means owning a piece of counter-current design history. Its scenographic presence is extraordinary, capable of transforming a space with its vibrant light and its futuristic silhouette.
The Designer: Superstudio
Founded in 1966 in Florence by Adolfo Natalini and Cristiano Toraldo di Francia, Superstudio was one of the most influential groups of radical architecture worldwide. Their works aimed to question the role of architecture and design, proposing utopian visions and objects endowed with a strong symbolic and conceptual charge.
The Manufacturer: Poltronova
Under the artistic direction of Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova became in the 1960s and 1970s the quintessential creative workshop of Italian design. The company dared to produce experimental and “out-of-the-box” pieces, collaborating with the most visionary designers of the century and creating icons now exhibited in the world’s greatest modern art museums, from MoMA to the Centre Pompidou.
Shipping and Insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes insurance for transport in the indicated shipping costs. For overseas shipping, the cost is indicative. We will prepare a quote after the auction concludes based on the destination.
Seller's Story
Icon of Radical Design: Table Lamp 'Gherpe' by Superstudio for Poltronova
We present at auction an authentic luminous sculpture: the Gherpe lamp, designed in 1967 by the group Superstudio and produced by Poltronova. This object is not just a lamp, but a manifesto of avant-garde design that shattered traditional aesthetic canons to introduce a new idea of interaction between light and form.
Design and History: Beyond Form
Born in the creative ferment of 1960s Florence, the Gherpe is the perfect expression of Radical Design:
Shell Structure: The lamp is composed of a series of petals or shells in Perspex (acrylic) that recall the shape of a marine creature or a armored shell.
Modularity and Light: Thanks to the central pivot, the Perspex crests can be oriented and overlapped as desired, allowing the user to modify not only the lamp’s shape but also the intensity and diffusion of the light beam.
Historical Value: The Gherpe breaks the rigidity of classical modernism to embrace organic and playful forms, becoming a fundamental piece of the Poltronova collection and of the international museum landscape.
Lot Conditions
The lot at auction presents itself in excellent used condition with only minor signs of wear:
Materials: The Perspex retains its original brightness and color depth. The surface is glossy and does not show deep scratches or significant yellowing.
Mechanical: The rotation system of the petals is fluid and functional, allowing configuration adjustment without effort.
Components: The lamp retains all original components, testimony to careful conservation over time.
Dimensions
Width: 54 cm
Depth: 31 cm
Height: 38 cm
Acquiring a Gherpe lamp means owning a piece of counter-current design history. Its scenographic presence is extraordinary, capable of transforming a space with its vibrant light and its futuristic silhouette.
The Designer: Superstudio
Founded in 1966 in Florence by Adolfo Natalini and Cristiano Toraldo di Francia, Superstudio was one of the most influential groups of radical architecture worldwide. Their works aimed to question the role of architecture and design, proposing utopian visions and objects endowed with a strong symbolic and conceptual charge.
The Manufacturer: Poltronova
Under the artistic direction of Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova became in the 1960s and 1970s the quintessential creative workshop of Italian design. The company dared to produce experimental and “out-of-the-box” pieces, collaborating with the most visionary designers of the century and creating icons now exhibited in the world’s greatest modern art museums, from MoMA to the Centre Pompidou.
Shipping and Insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes insurance for transport in the indicated shipping costs. For overseas shipping, the cost is indicative. We will prepare a quote after the auction concludes based on the destination.

