Brass Nictea pendant by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s

Nictea pendant designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Italian Lighting manufacturer Flos in 1961.

In a Flos catalogue from the 1970s we found this description: “Pendant lamp, giving filtered and concentrated light, in polished or nickel-plated brass, or in enameled metal.”

This is the brass version which consists of two parts that are joined together by metal parts that are an integral part of the design. Nictea provides light through the subtle punched perforations, the opening between both layers of the pendant and through the round opening with a glass lens at the bottom.

The pendant is in good vintage condition with nice patina. There is small difference in colour between the bowl-shaped top and the bottom part. The glass lens is in perfect condition and the electrical system is original.

Nictea is described in the Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 by Giuliana Gramigna on page 90.

In the Discover section of our website you can find an exclusive interview with Tobia Scarpa where he told us: “I used to tell myself that I have the magic touch…”, because everything he did worked out so well right from the start of his career.

Attribution

• Designer:
  Afra & Tobia Scarpa
• Manufacturer:
  Flos
• Model / Name:
  Nictea
• Design period:
  1963
• Country:
  Italy

Character

• Materials:
  Brass
• Condition:
  Good vintage condition
• Colour:
  Gold coloured
• Height:
  33 cm / 13 inch
• Diameter:
  46,5 cm / 19 inch

Shipping

• Weight:
  5.5 kg / 13 lb
• Ships from:
  Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• Product code:
  1820459