Italian Arco Floor Lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos

Italian Arco Floor Lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos.

Designed in 1962 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, the Arco Floor Lamp is one of the defining designs of twentieth-century Italian lighting.

The Castiglionis created the Arco as an elegant alternative to a pendant light. Its long, curved stem allows the light to extend over a table or seating area without the need for a ceiling fitting, making the lamp as practical as it is sculptural.

The design is beautifully simple. A substantial block of Carrara marble supports the sweeping stainless-steel arch finished with a polished aluminium reflector.

A particularly thoughtful detail is the hole cut through the centre of the marble base, allowing the lamp to be lifted and moved using a simple metal rod.

Produced by Flos since its introduction, the Arco remains one of the most recognisable pieces of Italian modernism and is held in major design collections internationally.

Measures

Weight 63.15kg

Condition

Presented in excellent vintage condition throughout, with minor signs of age and use consistent with its period. The Carrara marble retains its natural veining and character. Original Flos components present.

Achille Castiglioni (1918–2002)

Achille Castiglioni was one of Italy’s most important designers of the twentieth century. Born in Milan, he studied architecture before establishing a practice with his brother Pier Giacomo.

His work was defined by simplicity, ingenuity and a close attention to the way objects are used. He had a particular talent for taking familiar forms and materials and turning them into something entirely new.

Castiglioni worked across furniture, lighting and industrial design, collaborating with many of Italy’s leading manufacturers. His designs for Flos, including the Arco, Taccia and Snoopy lamps, have become enduring classics of modern design.

Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1913–1968)

Pier Giacomo Castiglioni was an Italian architect and designer who worked closely with his brother Achille throughout his career.

Together they developed some of the most influential designs of post-war Italian design, combining simple forms with thoughtful and often ingenious solutions to everyday problems.

Their work for Flos was particularly significant, producing a small group of lighting designs that remain in production and continue to influence contemporary design. The Arco is perhaps their most celebrated collaboration.