Glamtiques: Gatto Table Lamp

Born in Milan in the 1910s, brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni found their love of design early on. After graduating from Milan's famed Politecnico, the brothers joined the design studio of their eldest brother, Livio. Working on projects ranging from furniture and lighting to industrial and architectural design, they collaborated with Italian design giants like Gio Ponti and famed design houses like Alessi, Bernini and Zanotta.

Inspired by found items and curious shapes, the brothers wanted to create objects that were truly unique, not mass-produced. They designed minimalistic pieces elegant in their simplicity, with exquisite craftsmanship and surprising functionality in every detail.

Gatto is created using the distinctive "cocoon" technique inspired by George Nelson and his "Bubble" lamps. The powder-coated steel frame is sprayed with a soft, web-like resin, creating the diffuser. A transparent finish protects the diaphanous material. The result: an extremely strong, flexible material, nearly impossible to tear without something sharp. It is also not flammable, and simply melts when exposed to flame. The Castiglioni brothers used this approach to design Gatto and three other pendants for Flos in the same year, helping fuel the brand's success in its earliest years.

Gatto is a playful example of 1960s Modernist lighting that still feels fresh and timeless today. This sweet sculptural light emits a warm glow and brings eye-catching style to any space. It is one of several Castiglioni lamps still sold by FLOS today. Available in two sizes, the charming Gatto or Gatto Piccolo is right at home atop any table.