Sergio Mazza “Tau” pendant for Artemide, Italy, 1960. Nickel-plated brass, varnished metal and pressed glass; early Artemide model shown at the XII Triennale.
Specifications:
- Designer: Sergio Mazza
- Manufacturer: Artemide
- Country/Period: Italy, 1960; preowned; out of production; model presented at the XII Triennale
- Materials: Nickel-plated brass, varnished metal sheet, pressed glass
- Conditions: Preowned; light patina and minor marks to metal components consistent with age
- Dimensions: H 35 × D 42 cm (13.8 × 16.5 in); maximum drop 90 cm (35.4 in)
- Literature: E. Gismondi, "Artemide lampade mobili oggetti per arredare Catalogo '70 Italia", 1970
- Price: € 700
- Shipping: Contact us for a quote
Designed by Sergio Mazza in 1960 and produced by Artemide in the company’s inaugural years, the “Tau” pendant is a refined early statement of the brand’s modern industrial vocabulary. The model was presented at the XII Triennale di Milano in 1960, underscoring Artemide’s immediate dialogue with Italy’s design culture.
The form balances a flared, black-varnished metal shade with a prismatic pressed-glass diffuser. A nickel-plated brass ring secures the bowl and creates a precise junction between the two volumes. The materials work pragmatically—metal for structure, ribbed glass for soft, efficient light—while the generous 42 cm diameter gives the lamp presence without excess.
As an early Artemide design, “Tau” captures the firm’s blend of technical clarity and domestic elegance. Practical details—like the ring with small set screws—facilitate maintenance and highlight the quality of manufacture typical of Italian production in the period. The piece is preowned and shows light, even patina to metal parts, consistent with age; as with all vintage lighting, wiring should be verified to local standards.
Collected today for its purity of line and for its role in Artemide’s formative catalogue, this pendant offers authentic mid-century Italian lighting with strong historical relevance and everyday usability.
