Three-Light Pendant in Green Nilo Glass by Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte, 1960s

This pendant light presents itself as a vertically articulated composition, defined by a measured balance between structural rigor and visual fluidity. Its proportions are slender and elongated, allowing the piece to occupy space without heaviness, while the staggered suspension of the glass elements creates a subtle sense of movement. The overall presence is calm yet expressive, designed to be read both as a functional light source and as a suspended sculptural object within the room.

The structure is executed in nickel-plated brass, its linear framework forming a restrained architectural armature from which the glass elements are hung. Within this framework, three elongated drops of thick green Nilo glass descend at slightly varied heights. The glass is notably substantial, with softly curved profiles and carefully finished edges that reveal the quality of its manufacture. Each drop encloses an opaline diffuser, producing a layered light that is gently filtered through the green-tinted glass. The dialogue between the cool precision of the metal and the tactile depth of the glass is central to the character of the piece and speaks to a high level of material and technical control.

Designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, this model belongs to the early 1960s, a period in which Italian lighting design explored the synthesis of industrial production and refined formal research. Ingrand’s approach is evident in the clarity of the construction and in the disciplined use of glass as both a structural and expressive medium. The work reflects Fontana Arte’s post-war design culture, where experimentation with thick glass and controlled luminosity became a defining trait, resulting in objects that are both technically resolved and quietly poetic.

The pendant is preserved in very good overall condition. The glass elements are intact and well maintained, with no visible losses or structural issues. The nickel-plated brass frame shows a natural patina with light oxidation consistent with age, lending the surface a muted depth while remaining fully legible. The piece is completely original, with no known later alterations.

Height 95 cm (37.4 in) x Diameter 35 cm (13.8 in)

Power Source: Hardwired
Voltage: 220-240v
Lampshade: Included