Sonora 490 Suspension Lamp by Oluce

Sonora is a dome-shaped suspension lamp built from one pure geometric shape, designed in 1976 by Vico Magistretti for Oluce.

It comes in 5 finishes: Opal, Painted White, Black, White/Gold and Black/Gold.

The Design Story

Oluce, founded in Milan in 1945, calls Sonora the story of a pure geometrical shape that Magistretti pursued throughout his career, with simplification as his constant source of inspiration. The lamp has been in the Oluce catalog for decades and remains one of the most appreciated lamps by the public, and by Magistretti himself.

The Designer

Vico Magistretti (1920 to 2006) was born and died in Milan. He earned his architecture degree in 1945 and joined his father’s firm. During the war he met Gio Ponti and Ernesto N. Rogers, and after the war he worked on reconstruction projects. His architecture includes the Torre al Parco and the Faculty of Biology in Milan, and he also designed furniture and lamps for companies such as Cassina, Artemide, De Padova, Fritz Hansen and Kartell. For Oluce he designed the Atollo, Lyndon, Pascal and Sonora lamps. He taught as a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art in London.

“icons that communicate across the generations”

Oluce, on its lamps

How It Was Made

Sonora 490 is a wide dome made of metal and blown PMMA. The opal finish is the natural translucent material; Painted White and Black are lacquered on the outside; White/Gold and Black/Gold are lacquered outside with a gold leaf layer on the interior, visible from below when the dome is lit. It takes 1 E26 bulb up to 150W and gives direct and diffused light.

Downloads

• Technical sheet (PDF)
• Assembly instructions (PDF)

Why You’ll Love It

Sonora 490 is the large-scale version of a design Magistretti kept returning to for its geometry. The opal finish keeps it simple and glowing; the gold-leaf finishes add a warm metallic flash inside the dome when it is lit from below. It makes a strong single statement over a table or in an entryway.

Made for Real Life

The lamp takes 1 E26 bulb up to 150W. The bulb is not included, so you can choose the brightness you like. It is not dimmable and mounts to the ceiling; the assembly instructions are linked in Downloads. Dust with a soft dry cloth and avoid abrasive or solvent cleaners.

Product Details

Where It Shines

Hang it over a dining table, in a stairwell or an entryway where a large glowing dome makes a statement. It suits modern, mid-century and Italian-design rooms.

Questions We Hear Most

What is the difference between the Sonora 490 finishes?

Opal is the natural translucent PMMA. Painted White and Black are lacquered on the outside. White/Gold and Black/Gold add a gold leaf layer inside the dome, visible from below when it is lit, and cost more than the other finishes.

What bulb does the Sonora 490 use?

It takes 1 E26 bulb up to 150W. The bulb is not included.

Can I dim the Sonora 490?

No. The sheet lists it as not dimmable.

How is the Sonora 490 different from the Sonora 493?

Both are PMMA suspension lamps in the same family. The 493 is the larger two-bulb version; the 490 comes in more finishes.

Who designed the Sonora suspension lamp?

Vico Magistretti designed Sonora for Oluce in 1976, pursuing a pure geometrical shape throughout his career.

Why We Love It

Sonora 490 lets you choose between quiet opal simplicity and a flash of gold leaf, all in the same confident dome shape.

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