Lot Essay
The design of the lamp was inspired by a sketch by Pio Manzú (1939-1969) in which a cylindrical box with a slit for light slid up and down a pole and was fixed in place with a screw. According to the sketch, Pio Manzú probably would have had the pole run from ceiling to floor. In his design, Castiglioni replaces the pole with a metal cable which when deviated creates attrition and allows the light to remain in position with no need for a screw.
The Parentesi lamp is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
The Parentesi lamp is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.