The Globe Table Lamp by Oluce

The Globe is a table lamp built around a transparent blown-glass sphere that holds a cylindrical metal reflector, designed by Joe Colombo in 1964 for Oluce.

It comes in 2 finishes: Satin Nickel and Satin Gold.

The Design Story

Oluce, founded in Milan in 1945, makes The Globe from very few parts. A clear glass sphere sits on a slim metal base, and inside it a cylindrical reflector sends light out in two ways: directly, through the open end, and diffused, through the glass. The lamp reads as pure geometry, a circle around a cylinder, and the glass lets you see the whole mechanism.

The Story

The Globe was designed by Joe Colombo in 1964 and made as a family of lamps: table, suspension and wall versions, in two sizes. This table lamp is model 228. Oluce lists the suspension lamps as 827 and 828 and the wall lamp as 727, so a room can carry the same sphere on a desk, on a wall and overhead.

The Designers

Joe Colombo (1930 to 1971) is remembered as one of the great Italian designers of the postwar years, and he died at 41. Oluce describes his work as optimistic and forward looking. He designed complete living cells such as Visiona ’69 for Bayer, the compact Mini-Kitchen of 1963, the Bobby cart and Elda armchair of 1970 and the mp lamp of 1972, along with lamps for Oluce such as Spider, Coupé and Acrilica.

“Its pure geometries co-exist in a constant balance between shape and functionality”

Oluce, on The Globe by Joe Colombo

How It Was Made

The shade is a transparent blown-glass sphere, and the base, stem and inner reflector are metal. The two finishes are satin nickel and satin gold. Oluce makes the lamp in Italy.

Downloads

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

Why You’ll Love It

The Globe is simple enough to sit anywhere and detailed enough to be noticed. The glass catches the room around it, and the reflector throws a clean pool of light onto the table. In satin gold it glows warm, and in satin nickel it stays cool and quiet.

Made for Real Life

The lamp takes one E26 bulb up to 60W, and the bulb is not included, so you can choose the brightness and warmth you like. Oluce notes that LED bulbs are compatible. It has an on/off switch and a black cable. Wipe the glass and metal with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth and skip abrasive or solvent cleaners.

Product Details

Where It Shines

Place it on a console, a sideboard, a bedside table or a desk. It suits modern, mid-century and Italian-design rooms, and looks best where the glass can pick up light from a window or a wall of wood or stone.

Questions We Hear Most

How big is The Globe table lamp?

The lamp is about 12.7 in (32 cm) tall and 11.8 in (30 cm) wide, a good size for a console, a sideboard or a large nightstand.

What bulb does The Globe table lamp use?

It takes one E26 bulb up to 60W. The bulb is not included, and Oluce says LED bulbs are compatible.

What finishes does The Globe table lamp come in?

Two: satin nickel and satin gold. The glass sphere is transparent in both.

Is there a pendant or wall version of The Globe?

Yes. Oluce also makes The Globe as small and large suspension lamps and as a wall lamp, all designed by Joe Colombo.

How does The Globe give light?

A cylindrical metal reflector inside the sphere gives direct light, and the transparent glass gives diffused light.

Who designed The Globe?

Joe Colombo designed The Globe in 1964 for Oluce.

Why We Love It

The Globe is a 1964 idea that still looks new. A sphere, a cylinder and a clean beam of light make a quiet object that is easy to place and hard to forget.

Shipping Info