Rare, Collectible Artemide Sintesi Nomad Floor Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi — Italy, 1970s
An iconic Italian floor lamp "Sintesi Nomad" by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, Italy, 1970s. The lamp captivates with its characteristic industrial reflector head with protective wire cage, the foldable chrome tripod, and the telescopically height-adjustable construction — a perfect combination of Italian High-Tech functionality and sculptural Mid-Century industrial design.
Highlights:
Designer/Manufacturer: Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, Italy, 1970s (Sintesi system from 1975, Nomad version as mobile/foldable variant) Style: Italian Modern / High-Tech / Mid-Century Industrial Distinctive features: foldable, transportable chrome steel tripod with lacquered struts; telescopically adjustable pole with two quick-release clamps; pivotable reflector head with spherical inner reflector and characteristic four-hole perforation; removable black wire protective cage; integrated cord switch; quick to assemble and disassemble Ideal for: living room, studio, reading corner, loft and industrial interiors, Mid-Century and design collectors
Description: This floor lamp belongs to the legendary "Sintesi" series, designed in 1975 by Ernesto Gismondi — co-founder and long-standing president of Artemide. With its clear, engineering-led formal language and modular construction, the series became one of the most defining Italian lamp families of the late 1970s and has since been represented in numerous design collections. The "Nomad" variant offered here is the rarer, foldable and transportable version of the Sintesi Terra — conceived for users who want to position or transport the lamp flexibly, a concept entirely in the spirit of the Italian design avant-garde of the 1970s.
Particularly characteristic are the compact, light-grey lacquered reflector head with spherical inner reflector and the typical four-hole perforation, the black wire cage in front of the reflector, and the frame-like mounting housing with the embossed inscription "MAX 100 W." The reflector head pivots steplessly via a clamp joint, allowing the light to be directed with precision. The telescopic chrome steel pole is fixed at height via two quick-release clamps and rests on a foldable tripod with lacquered struts and chrome end caps. The integrated cord switch in the cable allows convenient switching.
The Sintesi series is one of Gismondi's best-known design families, produced in numerous configurations. This Nomad version combines Artemide's characteristic technical precision with a purist, almost tool-like aesthetic, making it equally suitable as a functional task and accent lamp and as a decorative collector's piece.
Condition:
Age-appropriate good vintage condition with visible but attractive patina and signs of use. The lacquer of the reflector head and mounting frame shows light scratches, edge abrasion, and isolated minimal paint chips; the chrome parts of the pole, clamps, and tripod feet display light tarnishing, isolated corrosion spots, and discolouration that underline the authentic character of the lamp. The folding mechanism and height adjustment both function perfectly. The original electrics including cable and cord switch are functional but should be inspected by a qualified electrician before use.
Details:
Designer: Ernesto Gismondi
Manufacturer: Artemide, Italy
Model: Sintesi Nomad (floor lamp / mobile variant of Sintesi Terra)
Origin: Italy
Period: 1970s (Sintesi system from 1975)
Style: Italian Modern / High-Tech / Mid-Century Industrial
Material: Chrome steel (pole, tripod, clamps), lacquered metal (reflector, frame, struts), steel wire (cage)
Colour: White (reflector head), chrome (pole, tripod), black (wire cage)
Dimensions: Max height 150 cm (telescopically adjustable), reflector head approx. 18 cm ø
Socket: E27, max. 100 W
Condition:
Age-appropriate good vintage condition; original electrics functional
Note:
Please note: This item is a vintage lamp. It was manufactured many years ago and may not conform to current technical standards. Before use, the electrical components should be inspected and, if necessary, updated by a qualified electrician. Bulbs are only included if explicitly stated. This item is sold as a collectible/antique and not as a standards-compliant electrical appliance.
WEE Nr.
70030832
Product Safety
This lamp is an original vintage piece. Prior to sale, a visual and functional inspection was carried out (cable, plug, socket, strain relief) as well as a test run. It has not been comprehensively tested in accordance with current VDE standards. Due to its age, the electrical components may pose risks (e.g. aged insulation, missing earth conductor). Before connecting to the 230V mains, it is therefore strongly recommended to have the lamp inspected and, if necessary, updated by a qualified electrician. Use is at the owner's own risk.
Manufacturer
Artemide was founded in Milan in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza and is among the most influential Italian lighting manufacturers. Under the philosophy "The Human Light", numerous design icons were created, including Eclisse (Magistretti, 1965), Tizio (Sapper, 1972), Sintesi (Gismondi, 1975) and Tolomeo (De Lucchi/Fassina, 1987). Having received the Compasso d'Oro on multiple occasions, many designs are today part of the design collections of MoMA New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Details – Manufacturer Name: Artemide S.p.A. Founded: 1960 Founders: Ernesto Gismondi & Sergio Mazza Headquarters: Pregnana Milanese, Milan, Italy Philosophy: "The Human Light"