Oluce - Bruno Gecchelin - Desk lamp - "Wing" Mod 509 (Base rotary ON/OFF switch edition) - Chrome, Iron, Thermoplastic - Italy 1970s

Oluce / Skipper -Bruno Gecchelin - Desk lamp - "Wing" mod. 509 (Base Switch Edition)

A rare and iconic example of Italian Space Age lighting, this "Wing" table lamp (Model 509) was designed in 1973 by the three-time Compasso d'Oro winner Bruno Gecchelin for Oluce. This specific piece represents a key technical evolution of the design, distinguished by the rotary ON/OFF switch integrated directly into the heavy circular base. This configuration allowed Oluce to house the electrical components safely inside the base, keeping the controls isolated from the heat of the halogen source.


Technical Specifics & Design Evolution
Unlike the early variants with a top-mounted head switch, the Model 509 features an open lamellar heat-sink head with an exposed halogen reflector. A distinctive functional detail of this version is the visible looping electrical cable running from the chrome stem into the socket. This clever solution enables smooth, friction-fit height adjustment along the arched stem without straining the internal wiring. The heavy, black-coated cast-iron base ensures perfect stability on any surface.


The Designer’s Philosophy
For Gecchelin—who refined his technical rigor alongside Ettore Sottsass at Olivetti—design was "the intelligence of the parts." He pioneered the adaptation of automotive halogen technology for home lighting, engineering a head structure that functions like a mechanical radiator. This lamp is not merely a decorative object, but a functional "light machine" that captures the peak of 1970s Milanese industrial aesthetics.


Details & Specifications

Manufacturer: Oluce (Made in Italy)
Designer: Bruno Gecchelin
Model: Wing Mod. 509
Period: Circa 1973–1978
Materials: Polished chrome-plated brass stem, heavy cast-iron base with black thermoplastic shell, and heat-resistant lamellar head.

Distinguishing Features:
Integrated base rotary ON/OFF switch knob, open lamellar radiator head, and visible looping cable.

Condition:
Good vintage condition. The chrome stem remains bright and reflective, with normal minor signs of age consistent with light use. Fully functional (ON/OFF rotary switch).

Dimensions: Height 41 cm | Width 19 cm | Depth 58 cm

Colour:
Glossy Black and polished Silver chrome


Shipping
The lamp will be carefully packaged using high-grade protective materials to ensure safe transit. Disassembled where necessary for protection, shipped via tracked and fully insured courier.


About the Designers: Bruno Gecchelin

For Gecchelin, design is the "simplest" result obtained after a complex and strenuous process of synthesis. He believed that an object must combine innovation, utility, and honesty. As the designer stated:

"The control of all these aspects translates into sober objects that highlight their intelligence and harmony of parts. And this intelligence, I call beauty."

The Wing series marked Gecchelin’s brilliant debut in the lighting field. The concept was revolutionary: repurposing high-performance halogen bulbs—then used almost exclusively in the automotive industry—for domestic use. To manage the intense heat, Gecchelin engineered a lamellar heat sink inspired by car radiators. This specific version features the more compact, integrated head, representing the technical maturity of the project.