Castiglioni + Menghi, Canna, Fontana Arte 1981

The Canna table lamp by the architects Piero Castiglioni and Roberto Menghi is more of a study in light than a mere object. Indeed, as the son of one of the Castiglioni brothers, Piero Castiglioni was born into a profession that sees him dedicate his life to the study of lighting and become the architect of light. Castiglioni always began a project with the light source. With the Canna lamp it is a halogen light source suspended naked in the centre of a blown glass cane and diffuser, allowing the brilliance of the light source to be diffused not only by the object but also by its setting. The Canna exemplifies Castiglioni’s idea that the light fixture is, above all, a device which must allow light to exert the effects for which it was intended.

Despite its conceptual qualifications, the Canna remains a beautifully constructed, exceptional object. Produced by Fontana Arte in 1981, the lamp is in excellent condition and perfect working order. The sale includes a new 60W Halolux halogen light bulb which was originally intended for the lamp, but LED alternatives are also easily available.