An exceptionally rare Model 12921 adjustable desk lamp designed by Angelo Lelii in 1962 and produced in Monza, Italy by Arredoluce.

This is a lamp we have been extremely tempted to keep for our own personal collection. We have lived with it for some time and it is one of those pieces that becomes more appealing the longer you have it around. The quality of the construction, the balance of the different elements and the condition are all exceptional, and it is a lamp we know we will miss once it has sold.

The Model 12921 is built around a rectangular metal base from which two slender angled supports rise to hold a long cylindrical black enamelled aluminium shade. Between these is a beautifully engineered arrangement of rods, pivots and fittings that allows the position of the shade to be adjusted while maintaining the balance of the lamp.

The mechanism is an interesting part of the design. Lelii makes no attempt to conceal how the lamp works. The supporting arms, adjustment mechanism, spherical black element and electrical cable all remain visible, becoming part of the overall composition.

The shade can be adjusted to alter the position and direction of the light across a desk or work surface. The movement is relatively restrained, but sufficient to change the angle of illumination and the silhouette of the lamp. The mechanism works smoothly and correctly, holding the shade securely in position.

Despite the number of individual components, the design never feels complicated. The two angled supporting arms establish the principal geometry, while the cylindrical shade provides a strong counterpoint above them. The relatively small rectangular base gives the lamp stability without visually weighing down the structure.

Another detail we like is the way the electrical wiring forms part of the construction. The cable is threaded through the supporting arms rather than simply running externally down the back of the lamp. Because the structure is so open, the cable remains unusually visible.

When we had the lamp professionally rewired, this presented a small but important problem. A completely new cable looked far too bright against the beautifully aged original surfaces. We therefore sympathetically aged the replacement cable so that it sits naturally with the rest of the lamp rather than immediately announcing itself as new. It is a small detail, but exactly the sort of thing that matters to us when restoring an original piece of lighting.

The original black enamelled finish to the cylindrical shade has also been retained. It remains in excellent condition, with minor marks and signs of use consistent with its age. The lamp has clearly been well looked after throughout its life, but importantly it still looks and feels like an original piece from the period rather than something that has been over-restored.

The lamp retains its original Arredoluce manufacturer's label to the underside of the base, marked Made in Italy / Arredoluce Monza.

The Model 12921 is documented in Arredoluce: Catalogo Ragionato 1943–1987, the catalogue raisonné of the company's production. The design dates from 1962, during an important period of Lelii's work for Arredoluce.

The lamp has been carefully cleaned and professionally rewired and is presented in excellent condition. The original black enamel has only minor age-related marks, while the metalwork retains the subtle surface variation expected of an original example of this age. The original switch operates correctly and the adjustment mechanism works exactly as it should.

For us, this is exactly the sort of lighting we like to own ourselves. It is rare, beautifully engineered and extremely well preserved, but still retains the signs of age that give an original piece its character. We have seriously considered keeping it for our personal collection and, once it has sold, it is a lamp we will genuinely miss.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

We offer local, national and international shipping.

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.