30 - ACHILLE (Milan, 1918–2002) AND PIER GIACOMO CASTIGLIONE (Milan, 1913–1968) for Flos.

ACHILLE (Milan, 1918–2002) AND PIER GIACOMO CASTIGLIONE (Milan, 1913–1968) for Flos. Pair of Gatto and Gatto Piccolo table lamps. Italy, designed in 1960. Internal steel frame and diffuser made of spray-molded Cocoon resin, with a clear protective finish. Wooden base, according to the information provided. Features the manufacturer’s label on the inside and original dimmer switches on the cords. Weight provided: 2 kg. Very good overall condition, with slight signs of use. The small lamp has a tiny hole next to the cable outlet. Works properly, according to the information provided. Measurements: 56 cm high × 35 cm in diameter (large); 30 cm high × 19 cm in diameter (small). Set of two Gatto lamps in different sizes, whose design reflects the Castiglioni brothers’ exploration of the expressive possibilities of industrial materials. Their steel structure is enveloped by a thin, spray-applied Cocoon resin membrane, which reveals the ribs and defines an organic silhouette with rounded volumes and a narrow waist. The translucent diffuser provides soft ambient light, adjustable via the controls built into the cords. The resin’s fibrous texture adds visual interest even when the lamp is off, while the difference in scale allows both pieces to be placed together or at different points in a room. Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were two brothers—Milanese architects and designers—considered key figures in 20th-century Italian design. They worked together, combining functionality, experimentation with industrial materials, and an ingenious perspective on everyday objects. They collaborated with firms such as Flos and Zanotta, and were particularly noted for their lighting designs, including the Arco and Gatto lamps. Their contribution lay in transforming simple technical solutions into household objects with a recognizable identity—an approach that remains a benchmark for contemporary design.