Snoopy Table Lamp
The iconic Snoopy table lamp – manufactured by Flos – was designed in 1967 by Italian brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Sons of a successful Milanese sculptor, both Archille and Pier studied architecture before going on to design lighting and furniture together. Their works include notable pieces such as the Arco lamp and the Gatto lamp.
Now recognised as being among the great names of Italian Modernist design, the brothers are known for experimenting with shape and material to produce sculptural and exuberant designs that would add an element of playfulness to a room.
Achille and Pier Giacomo didn’t take themselves too seriously as designers and with a penchant for fun and radical works, they took inspiration from Peanuts – the popular Charles Shultz cartoon – to create the Snoopy lamp. So named because of its distinctive beagle-like silhouette in the dog’s signature black and white colours.
With a cylindrical white Carrara marble base that leans at a jaunty angle and the immediately recognisable, top-heavy enamel shade, the Snoopy lamp gives direct light that’s diffused through a thick glass disk. For what’s ultimately a well made but relatively simple table lamp, this archetypal design classic has so much personality and continues to feature in some of the world’s most beautiful and thoughtfully styled homes. It’s a remarkably versatile design as the soft light lends itself well to any room in the house. It’s just as well suited to a bedside table as it is a desk.
A functionality update in 2003 means the Snoopy lamp now features a touch sensor and dimmer function. Originally only available in white marble with a black gloss shade, limited editions have been released over the years, including a matte black shade for the lamp’s 50th anniversary, plus some attention-grabbing hues such as bright green and orange.
