Glifo Wall Sconce by Penta

Glifo is a projecting wall lamp drawn like a typographic glyph, designed in 2019 for Penta by Valerio Sommella and Anonima Luci.

It comes in 2 sizes (Medium and Large) and 2 versions, Box (dimmable) and Cable (touch dimmer), in matt black metal with an ebony wood handle, with a choice of 3000K or 2700K light.

The Design Story

Penta designs and makes its lamps by hand in Brianza, Italy. Glifo comes from a drawing of two lines that, like a typeface, define its space. A vertical element is the fulcrum of the whole rotation of the lamp, and an oblique element moves away from the wall to define the opening angle of the lampshade. That oblique line ends in a wooden hold point you use to reposition the lamp and to dim the light. Penta’s line for Glifo is “A line becomes matter.”

The Designers

Valerio Sommella is an industrial designer who has collaborated with brands such as Apple, Alessi, Honda and Panasonic. After several years of study in Milan and Amsterdam, he started in 2009 on projects that range from lighting and furnishings to consumer electronics and accessories. Anonima Luci, founded by Alberto Saggia and Stefania Kalogeropoulos, is a lighting design studio in Milan that specializes in luxury retail, hospitality, residential and art-exhibition projects, and also develops lighting fixtures and light art installations. Together they pair deep knowledge of lighting technology with pure, stylish lines. Glifo is their 2019 design for Penta.

“A line becomes matter.”

Penta, on Glifo

How It Was Made

Penta designs and builds its lamps by hand in Brianza, Italy, and backs them with a 2-year manufacturer guarantee from the Auralis Group. Glifo’s wall mount, stem and lampshade are painted steel, the hold point is ebony wood, and the light source is an integrated 14W LED.

Downloads

• Technical sheet (PDF)
• 2D and 3D files (ZIP)
• Photometric data (ZIP)
• Care and maintenance instructions (PDF)
• Box version installation, dimmable 110V (PDF)
• Cable version installation (PDF)
• Penta 2-year manufacturer guarantee (PDF)
• Glifo film (video)
• Penta brand film, Crafted with soul (video)

Why You’ll Love It

Glifo is a lamp you can move. The shade swings on its vertical pivot, and the ebony handle gives you something to hold, so you can aim the light at a page, a wall or a corner. The integrated 14W LED has a CRI of 90 and puts out 1,180 lumens, and the shade and frame are only two crisp lines of black metal against the wall.

Made for Real Life

The LED is built in, so there is no bulb to buy or change. Choose the Box version if you want to dim from a wall dimmer, or the Cable version for a touch dimmer on the lamp itself. Penta publishes separate installation sheets for each version, linked above. Both Medium and Large weigh under 6 lb (about 2.6 kg).

Product Details

Where It Shines

Use Glifo as a reading light at the head of a bed, beside an armchair, or on a hallway or stair wall where you want a movable accent. Its fine black lines suit modern, minimalist and contemporary interiors, and Penta shows it in restaurants and other public spaces as well as homes.

Questions We Hear Most

What is the difference between the Box and Cable versions of Glifo?

Both are the same lamp in the same sizes. The Box version is dimmable through a compatible dimmer (Medium by phase cut, Large by 0-10V or phase cut, at 120V). The Cable version has a touch dimmer on the lamp. Penta publishes a separate installation sheet for each, linked on this page.

What size should I choose, Medium or Large?

Large is the bigger of the two and suits a wider wall or a bedside that needs more reach. Medium suits tighter spaces. Both use the same 14W LED at 1,180 lumens, so the dimension drawings in the photos are the best guide for your wall.

Should I choose 3000K or 2700K for Glifo?

Both are warm white and both put out 1,180 lumens in Penta’s item data. 3000K is a slightly clearer light for reading; 2700K is softer and more golden for bedrooms and lounges.

Can Glifo be moved after it is installed?

Yes. The shade rotates on the vertical pivot, and the ebony hold point is made for repositioning the lamp.

Can I replace the bulb in a Glifo?

The 14W LED is integrated into the lamp, so there is no bulb to buy or match.

Who designed the Glifo wall lamp?

Glifo was designed in 2019 for Penta by Valerio Sommella with the lighting design studio Anonima Luci.

What guarantee does Penta give on Glifo?

Penta’s products carry a 2-year manufacturer guarantee from the Auralis Group. Penta also publishes a request form to extend the guarantee from 2 to 5 years; the guarantee PDF is linked above.

Is Glifo made in Italy?

Yes. Penta designs and makes its lamps by hand in Brianza, Italy.

Why We Love It

Glifo turns a wall lamp into a drawing: two black lines, a wooden handle and a light you can aim. It is Italian design with a clear idea behind it.

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