History

The Martinelli Luce brand was founded in 1950 by Italian designer Elio Martinelli, who wanted to independently manufacture lighting fixtures for businesses. At the time, he was involved in interior design for bars, hotels, and shops. As a result, Martinelli Luce immediately focused on producing indoor lighting fixtures.
Very soon, in the 1960s, Elio Martinelli decided to collaborate with Gae Aulenti, an Italian architect and designer. From this collaboration within the Martinelli Luce company, the Pipistrello lamp was born in 1965. As its name suggests, this lamp is shaped like a bat. The lamp features a lacquered metal base and a translucent methacrylate shade mounted on a telescoping arm whose height can be adjusted. The Pipistrello is one of the greatest successes of Martinelli Luce and Gae Aulenti.
Although these two famous designers—Gae Aulenti and Elio Martinelli—are no longer with us, Martinelli Luce continues to operate. Today, the Italian brand boasts an extensive collection of products that perfectly embody Italian design from the 1960s to the 1970s.