Gabriella Crespi Large "Fungo" Suspension Lamp, Brass, Acrylic, Italy 1970s

Details

Description

Up for offer here is an Exceptionally rare, groundbreaking Original 1975 Vintage Early edition “Fungo” Suspension Hanging lamp by Gabriella … Read more Up for offer here is an Exceptionally rare, groundbreaking Original 1975 Vintage Early edition “Fungo” Suspension Hanging lamp by Gabriella Crespi (ca. 1970, Italy), crafted in brass and white acrylic.

It came together with the other Fungo Table Lamp Signed by Gabriella Crespi, the artist and designer on both the shade and the base***!! The previous owners purchased them together in the 1970's and held them securely since then.

This example, one of the largest versions Crespi produced, it features an oversized white acrylic dome shade paired with a brushed brass trumpet base housing two light sockets.

Sourced from a private Swiss collection directly from the first owners of these lamps, on Lake Zurich, this lamp once accompanied a broader Crespi ensemble, including the Fungo Table Lamp shown in images #2, #3 and #13 (The Table Lamp is available and sold separately).

The lamp is in very good original vintage condition, with the desirable natural patina and light tarnish on the unpolished brass. The shade is undamaged and glows beautifully; the base shows minor age-appropriate dimpling that adds authentic character.

We’ve fully documented the piece from all angles.

Wired for EU/Swiss power; US or other plug conversions available on request.

Dimensions:
Overall including the Hanging Chain
75cm x 75cm x 66cm

(Hanging Chain adds an additional 22cm Height)
Lamp without the Chains:
75cm x 75cm x 44cm



Fungo Lamp

Key Features
* The Fungo lamp is part of Crespi’s 1970s Rising Sun Collection.
* Its design evokes a mushroom (“fungo” = mushroom) — its shade sits atop a slender, elegant base, creating a natural, organic silhouette.
* Materials often used: brass (for the base/structure) and bamboo or Plexiglas (for the shade) — early versions used bamboo; later versions sometimes Plexiglas for a different light effect.
* The lamp is signed (“Gabriella Crespi”) — on both shade and base.
* Size / scale: table-lamp versions are typically about 70 cm high or taller

Design Intent & Aesthetic
* The Fungo lamp reflects Crespi’s fascination with nature and organic forms — the mushroom shape, the natural-feel of bamboo (or the smooth glow of Plexiglas), and the warmth of brass aim to bring a subtle, sculptural softness indoors.
* It’s also emblematic of her craftsmanship and high-end, artisanal approach: the pieces were handmade, often in limited numbers, and never mass-produced.

Gabriella Crespi – Rising Sun Collection (1970s)
The Rising Sun Collection, created in the early–mid 1970s, is one of Gabriella Crespi’s most iconic and recognizable bodies of work. The series is defined by its sculptural geometry, luminous surfaces, and exquisite artisanal construction, embodying Crespi’s fascination with natural light and its interaction with material.
Key Characteristics
* Material: Primarily bamboo, painstakingly hand-applied in radiating, linear patterns that mimic the rays of the rising sun. The bamboo is often lacquered or polished to create a warm, glowing sheen.
* Form & Motif: Surfaces feature sunburst or radial designs, giving each piece a sense of movement, expansion, and light diffusion.
* Construction: Like much of Crespi’s work, the pieces were entirely handmade by master craftspeople, often using mechanisms she invented, allowing elements to slide, pivot, or open with exceptional smoothness.
* Aesthetic: The collection combines organic warmth with sleek, almost architectural minimalism—a hallmark of Crespi’s ability to merge natural materials with sophisticated, modern forms.
Signature Pieces
The collection includes:
* Fungo lamps with bamboo shades and glowing sculptural profiles
* Console tables, coffee tables, and cabinets featuring the signature radial bamboo pattern
* Foldable or extendable furniture, showcasing Crespi’s love of transformable design
Legacy
The Rising Sun Collection is now considered one of Crespi’s masterpieces—celebrated for its craftsmanship, its futuristic yet organic aesthetic, and its embodiment of 1970s Italian luxury design. It remains highly sought after by collectors and continues to influence contemporary designers.

More About Gabriella Crespi:

Light was central to Italian designer Gabriella Crespi’s work (1922–2017), accenting the sculptural forms of her brass, steel, and lacquer tables, as well as her space-age, mushroom-shaped Plexiglas lamps. Even simple materials, such as the bamboo she shaped into curving, sunrise-inspired furniture, appeared to glow under her hand.

A capsule collection of Crespi’s pieces has been reissued by Milan’s Dimore Gallery, whose founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran collaborated with Crespi’s daughter Elisabetta to revive designs created between 1970 and 1980. Salci explains that Crespi inspires them because “she was modern and daring… sophisticated and unconventional.” The relaunch features flower-shaped and geometric coffee tables that evoke Paco Rabanne’s futuristic couture.

The timing is fitting for several reasons: Crespi’s aesthetic captures the louche elegance of the 1970s, a decade currently fascinating the design and fashion worlds; her renewed visibility aligns with the broader trend of reviving overlooked designers (such as José Zanine Caldas and Paul McCobb); and her process reflects today’s enthusiasm for handmade craftsmanship. Crespi employed skilled artisans and invented her own mechanisms that allowed elements like table leaves and cabinet doors to open with smooth precision.
Crespi herself was an unusually forward-thinking figure. Born into an aristocratic family, she studied fine art and architecture, the latter an unconventional path for a mid-century Italian woman of her class. She began crafting one-off objects from precious woods and metals for friends, which were soon discovered and purchased by Dior for its Paris boutique. Her taste anticipated future trends: her Roman apartment juxtaposed ancient frescoes with angular brass furniture, a combination that felt shocking then but would be considered exceptionally chic today.
Crespi retired at 65, spending the next two decades in a Himalayan retreat. In a 2015 interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, she said, “I have always considered my independence in my work as well as in my life as one of my biggest achievements.” Her attitude and vision continue to resonate.

Gabriella Crespi’s Unicum works (1970–1979) are unique, standalone creations outside her usual thematic collections. The series began in 1970 with the “Kaleidoscopes”—luminous prismatic wall lamps and structures that cast graphic light reflections. In 1972, Crespi collaborated with her daughter Betty to create the “Z” bar, formed from a single sheet of stainless steel. That same year she designed “Monsieur-Madame,” a transformable, origami-like piece of furniture composed of multiple materials, featuring front and back drawers and deep diagonal side grooves that produce an illusionistic, Escher-like visual effect.

In 1974, Crespi introduced the “Z” desk, named for its Z-shaped side supports and covered in brass foil, also available in an extendable version with side wings. That year she also created “Tronco,” a sculptural bronze vase resembling a hollowed tree trunk, inspired by traditional Chinese and Japanese calligraphy brush holders and reflecting her ongoing interest in the natural world and its metamorphic beauty. See less