Nickel-plated Nictea pendant by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s

Nickel-plated Nictea pendant designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Italian Lighting manufacturer Flos in 1963.

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 Nictea pendant consists of two parts that are joined together by metal parts that are an integral part of the design. Nictea provides a subtle light through the punched perforations, the opening between both layers of the pendant and through the round opening with a glass lens at the bottom. The fitting of this nickel-plated Nictea pendant hangs from a white spiral electrical wire that hides a thin metal rope for height adjustment.

The pendant is in very good vintage condition with a beautiful patina. 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:
  Nickel-plated brass
• Condition:
  Very good vintage condition
• Colour:
  Nickel
• 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:
  1822754