Recalling sculptor Constantin Brancusi's audacious forms, the brass stem of the Cobra table lamp, created by Italian designer Angelo Lelii (1911–79), casts a long and slender shadow beneath a magnetized adjustable sphere, or “socket,” where the bulb is positioned. The curious socket fixture is tucked inside a cobra-like “hood” that gave the lamp its name. Lelii’s revolutionary 1962 design allowed for light to be directed according to preference, and a dimming switch controls the intensity of the light. It was among the first lamps to use low voltage, thanks to the transformer housed in its base. As one of the best-known examples of postwar Italian lighting, it encapsulated the design ethos and emphasis on innovation long associated with Arredoluce, the lighting company Lelii founded in 1943.
Raised in Monza — where he would also begin to work with lighting in the late 1930s — Lelii encountered considerable success as a designer after several of his lamps appeared in Domus, the design journal cofounded by Giò Ponti. Arredoluce was a prolific firm, and counted Ponti, Ettore Sottsass Jr. and other well-known figures as designers, with many contributions coming from Lelii himself. Famous for a free-flowing exchange between factory workers and designers, Arredoluce helped define Italy’s modernist lighting industry, alongside companies such as Arteluce and Oluce.
Lelii’s simple and spare Cobra fell out of production, as did the company’s other designs, after Arredoluce shuttered following the maker’s death. Today, the lamp remains a striking encapsulation of the minimalist, technically advanced design principles he cultivated there. Demand for Lelii’s provocative and sculptural work has only increased over the years.
Pair of Cobra table lamps, model no. 12919 by Angelo Lelii
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Brussels, BE
Stunning 'Cobra' table lamps by Angelo Lelii designed in 1962. Two versions at the same price in very good state. Refinished and rewired in our workshop. Eye ball adjustable on a...
Brass, Chrome
H 24.22 in W 4.93 in D 4.34 in
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce ‘Cobra’ Table Lamp
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, ‘Cobra’ table lamp, model ‘12919’, chrome-plated brass, coated iron, coated steel, Italy, circa 1962 This outstanding table lamp model ‘12919’ known as...
Brass, Steel, Chrome, Iron
H 9.06 in Dm 6.89 in
Pair of table lamps, design by Angelo Lelii, Italy
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of lamps with polished brass frame and rotating painted aluminum diffuser, design by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy. 1952.
Aluminum, Brass
H 24 in W 4.75 in D 3 in
Angelo Lelii, "Cobra" Table Lamp, Brass, Metal, Italy, 1962
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and black-lacquered metal "Cobra" table lamp designed by Angelo Lelii and produced by Arredoluce, Italy, 1962. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24” H x 4.75” W x 3” D Stated d...
Metal, Brass
H 10 in W 2.75 in D 5.5 in
Angelo Lelii Cobra table lamp model 12919 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1962
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Skokie, IL
Angelo Lelii Cobra table lamp model 12919 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1962 Dimensions: 24 1/2" h × 4 1/2" w × 4 1/2" d Materials: brass, enameled ste...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
H 13.98 in Dm 4.34 in
Pair of Stellina table lamps designed by Angelo Lelii, Italy
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of “Stellina” table lamps, model 12291, in polished brass with a painted aluminum shade featuring star-shaped holes. The screen's vertical adjustment allows you to choose betwee...
Aluminum, Brass
H 10 in W 2.75 in D 5.5 in
Angelo Lelii table lamp model 12990 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1963
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Skokie, IL
Angelo Lelii table lamp model 12990 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1963 Condition: Good vintage condition. Some scratching and visible wear to nickel-plating. Tested and working.
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Pair of Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Brass and Frosted Glass Table Lamps
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of rare hourglass lamps, designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, made in the early 1960s. The lamps are sold as a pair and are lacquered brass in a mid-century mint-grey, with ...
Brass
H 7.49 in W 7.49 in D 1.97 in
Model 14096 table lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, 1970
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Model 14096 table lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii and manufactured by Arredoluce, circa 1970. The lamp consists of a cube-shaped base of frosted steel containing, just like the Cobra...
Steel
H 23 in W 14 in D 14 in
Angelo Lelii Adjustable Table Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare adjustable table lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce. Industrial in its essence, the design emphasizes the mechanical lighting components of the lamp. A dynamic lighti...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
H 15 in W 5.875 in D 5.875 in
1969 Angelo Lelii Table lamp, model 500 for Arredoluce, Italy.
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Angelo Lelii Table lamp, model 500 for Arredoluce, Italy, c. 1969 Made from chrome-plated steel, aluminum, enameled aluminum, marble Applied Arredoluce Archives registration label ...
Marble, Aluminum, Steel
H 11.42 in Dm 3.55 in
Table lamp by Angelo Lelli ( Lelii ) for Arredoluce Italy, 1969
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Renens, CH
Rare Brushed steel "14082" table lamp by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Italy This beautiful lamp is the perfect illustration of Angelo Lelli's avant-gardism and attention to detail. ...
Metal
H 24.41 in Dm 4.34 in
Cobra table lamp in Nickeled brass by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy 1962
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Cobra table lamp mod. 12919 in nickeled brass by Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, Italy 1962. Intriguing design of an elegant tulip shaped tubular stem with a spacious impressed oval 'co...
Nickel
H 10.24 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Angelo Lelii 12445 table lamp Arredoluce Italy 1954
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The model 12445 table lamp, designed by Angelo Lelii and manufactured by Arredoluce in Italy in 1954, is a refined example of mid-century architectural design. This compact yet strik...
Metal
H 9.06 in Dm 4.85 in
Pair of Angelo Lelii table lamps for Arredoluce Italy model 12398 50's
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Catania, IT
These iconic mid-century Italian table lamps were produced by Arredoluce, based on a design by Angelo Lelii, around 1952. model no. 12398. Sold in pairs, each lamp is made of white ...
Carrara Marble, Brass, Aluminum
H 18.9 in W 16.93 in D 7.09 in
Angelo Lelii, Desk or Table Lamp, model 12401, Arredoluce, Italy, circa 1952
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Rare adjustable table lamp, model no. 12401, designed by Angelo Lelii circa 1952 and manufactured by Arredoluce, Monza, Italy. Marble base, with lacquered and polished brass stem co...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
H 24.5 in W 4.75 in D 4 in
"Cobra" Table Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cobra table lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960s. Brass shade, encasing a magnetic, steel eyeball. Original cord. Takes one E27 Europe...
Metal, Brass, Steel
H 24.5 in Dm 4.5 in
Cobra Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, 1960s
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Arredoluce 'Cobra' lamp in good condition. Design: Angelo Lelli, Italy, 1960s. Crème lacquered metal base. Pivoting magnitized oxide steel ball which holds the socket ...
Metal, Brass
H 24 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Cobra Table Lamp or Eye Lamp
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Kansas City, MO
Angelo Lelii cobra table lamp, Arredoluce, Italy, 1964. Chrome-plated brass, enameled aluminum, blackened steel This lamp has been registered in t...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
H 24.22 in Dm 4.73 in
Angelo Lelli Cobra Light Sculpture, Lamp, 1964 by Arredoluce, 1st Edition
By Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Munster, NRW
Legendary table lamp "Cobra" by Angelo Lelli, mod° 12919 made by Arredoluce, 1964 stem in chromed steel, base in white lacquered metal, Italy. 1st series edition, with orignal l...
Chrome
