Acrilica Table Lamp by Oluce

Acrilica is a table lamp made from a single thick curve of clear acrylic, designed in 1962 by Joe Colombo with his brother Gianni for Oluce.

It comes in 2 versions: the classic black lacquered steel base, and the 60th anniversary edition on a Portoro marble base.

The Design Story

Oluce, founded in Milan in 1945, turned a bold idea into an object that looks more like kinetic art than a lamp. A light source hidden in the base shines into the acrylic, and the thick, curved body carries the glow all the way up and around to the head, so the whole curve lights up softly. The light is indirect and diffused, and the lamp seems to hold the light inside the material.

The Story

Acrilica, model 281, was Joe Colombo’s first project for Oluce and the only one he made with his brother Gianni. After it the brothers went separate ways: Joe left art, where he had shown promise with his Nucleari works, and Gianni left design to become a leading name in kinetic and programmed art. The lamp earned its nickname from its striking look and its curve in acrylic. Methacrylate had been used in lighting for about a decade, usually in thin sheets that are cut or thermoformed, and here its thickness and curve do the work. In 2022 Oluce celebrated the 60th anniversary of the design with a limited edition on a Portoro marble base.

The Designers

Joe Colombo was one of the major Italian designers of the postwar years and died in 1971 at the age of 41. Oluce describes his work as an optimistic look toward the future rather than a nostalgic one. He designed integrated living cells such as Visiona ’69 for Bayer and compact self-contained objects such as the Mini-Kitchen of 1963. His other works include the Bobby cart and the Elda armchair (both 1970), a chair for Kartell (1968) and the mp lamp (1972).

“the brief but intense parable of one of the greatest Italian designers”

Oluce, on Joe Colombo

How It Was Made

The body is a single piece of clear PMMA (Perspex acrylic) with a thick, curved profile. The black version stands on a lacquered steel base, and the 60th anniversary edition stands on a base cut from Portoro marble, a black stone with gold veining. A 4W integrated LED sits in the base and feeds the acrylic.

Awards and Recognition

Acrilica won a Gold Medal at the XIII Triennale di Milano in 1964. Oluce also lists it among its designs held in international museum collections.

Downloads

• Technical sheet, black steel base (PDF)
• Technical sheet, Portoro marble base (PDF)
• Assembly instructions (PDF)

Why You’ll Love It

Acrilica is a lamp you notice even when it is off, a clear curve that catches the room around it. Lit, it glows from within and gives a soft, even light that suits a sideboard, a console or a bedside table. It is a piece of design history, awarded at the Triennale and made for living with.

Made for Real Life

The 4W LED is integrated, so there is no bulb to change, and the light is warm at 2700K. Switch it on and the acrylic does the rest. Dust the acrylic with a soft dry cloth and avoid abrasive or solvent cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the surface.

Product Details

Where It Shines

Place it on a sideboard, a console, a coffee table or a bedside table where the curve can be seen from several sides. It suits modern, mid-century and collector interiors, and it looks especially good against dark wood, stone or velvet.

Questions We Hear Most

How big is the Acrilica table lamp?

The lamp is about 9 in (23 to 24 cm) high and 9.4 to 10.2 in (24 to 26 cm) wide depending on the base, so it sits comfortably on a console or side table.

What light does the Acrilica give?

It gives soft, indirect and diffused light from a 4W LED in the base, 570 lumens at 2700K with a CRI of 85 or higher.

Can I dim the Acrilica?

No. The sheet lists the Acrilica as not dimmable, and it works with a simple on/off switch.

What is the difference between the two versions?

Both use the same clear acrylic body. One stands on the classic black lacquered steel base, and the 60th anniversary edition stands on a Portoro marble base.

Does the Acrilica have a replaceable bulb?

No. The LED is integrated into the base, so there is no bulb to buy or match.

Who designed the Acrilica?

Joe Colombo designed it in 1962 together with his brother Gianni, as his first project for Oluce. It won a Gold Medal at the XIII Triennale di Milano in 1964.

Why We Love It

Acrilica is one of the few lamps that is both a museum piece and an easy daily companion. The clear curve glows and almost disappears, which makes it a quiet focal point in any room.

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