1 / 2
Photo 1/2 du lotPhoto 2/2 du lot
Premium FRANCOIS EPIN ART & DESIGN CONSULTING

250 - Scientific Research Institute of Lighting of the USSR
See original version (French)

Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
Scientific Research Institute of Lighting of the USSR Excelsior or Tomato Lamp Plastic and brass Date of creation: 1980 H40 D40 cm Established against the backdrop of Soviet industrial development, the USSR Scientific Research Institute of Lighting (VNISI) played a central role in the design of lighting fixtures intended for public and domestic spaces across the Soviet Union. Its designs reflect a desire to reconcile technical innovation, mass production and aesthetic research. Today, the models produced by this organisation are particularly prized for their status as icons of Soviet design from the second half of the 20th century. With its instantly recognisable spherical shape, the Excelsior lamp – also known as the ‘Tomato’ – is one of the most iconic examples of Soviet design from the 1980s. Made from plastic and brass, it reflects the interest of that era in simple geometric shapes and industrial materials. Its large circular shade, combined with a minimalist structure, gives it a playful yet futuristic presence, characteristic of the space-age aesthetic that defined design in the Eastern Bloc countries at the time. At the crossroads of functionalism and formal experimentation, this lamp has now become a sought-after piece amongst enthusiasts of Soviet design and 20th-century furniture.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 09/27/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like