‘Platea’ Lamp by Leonardo Ferrari & Franco Mazzucchelli for Artemide, 1960 Italy

Designed in 1960 by Leonardo Ferrari and Franco Mazzucchelli for Artemide, the Platea lamp is a sculptural and atmospheric lighting object emblematic of early Italian modernism. Defined by its softly rounded opaline diffuser resting on a vivid colored base, the lamp emphasizes volume, balance, and visual warmth rather than directional light. Its low, grounded form creates a calm architectural presence, while the diffused glow spreads gently into the surrounding space, enhancing mood and intimacy. Both playful and refined, Platea reflects a moment when Italian designers began exploring organic forms, color, and new approaches to domestic lighting—making it a rare and highly collectible example from Artemide’s formative years.