“Pipistrello” Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, First Edition, 1965

A truly iconic piece of Italian design history, this original Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti was created in 1965 for Martinelli Luce and remains an emblem of Italian mid-century style.

The Pipistrello design takes inspiration from the wings of a bat (pipistrello in Italian), with a base and diffuser crafted to mimic a bat’s spread wings. Made of black opal methacrylate and a metal base, this lamp diffuses a soft yet radiant light through a 4 bulb system.

This particular lamp is a rare first series piece, marked by the original “Martinelli” label from the 1960s. Signs of time are visible, as shown in the photos, with a slight patina on the shade due to age, giving it a warm, vintage character that cannot be replicated in newer productions.