Luigi Caccia Dominioni pair of Monachella floor lamp for Azucena, Italy, 1950s

Pair of floor lamps in brass, cast-iron and painted aluminium, design by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, model “Monachella,” produced by Azucena, 1953.

Made with a slender stem in brass and black-painted aluminium, this lamp earned the name “Monachella” for the distinctive design of its shade. Its shape and the delicacy of its execution recall the head coverings of certain religious orders, worn humbly with bowed head, as a sign of respect and devotion. These associations imbue the lamp with an aura of tranquility and restraint, qualities that make it perfectly suited for interiors where domestic peace and the quiet joys of daily life form the warmth of what we call “home.”

The lamp was designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni in 1953, the same years in which he also worked on the Convent and Institute of the Beata Vergine Addolorata in Milan, residence of a female monastic order. One may wonder whether the genesis and inspiration of this design might be traced back to that very experience of study and close contact with convent life.

Beyond its evocative aesthetic and interpretive richness, the lamp also stands out for its constructive excellence. Produced by Azucena, it shares with the brand’s other lighting fixtures the renowned quality intrinsic to each object. These two examples encapsulate some of the finest essences of Italian tradition: masterful design, industrial manufacture with artisanal care, and a way of life best described as measured, reflective, and attentive to detail—like the pleasure of reading a good book illuminated by a “Monachella.”

Original from the 50s, these lamps are in good overall condition, with the brass stems showing a natural patina, the cast-iron bases in excellent condition, and the shades retaining their original painted finish, with only minor wear to the inner white surface.

Dimensions: 18W x 25D x 122H cm (7.1W x 9.8D x 48H in).

Power Source: Plug-in
Voltage: 220-240v
Lampshade: Included