The Serpente Lamp Celebrates 60 Years in a Bold Shade of Orange

In the 1950s, Elio Martinelli faced a pivotal decision: to take over his father Plinio’s electrical shop following his untimely death, or to pursue a different creative path. Choosing the former, Martinelli transformed the business into what would become Martinelli Luce, channeling his creativity into innovative lighting design. In 1965, he introduced Serpente, a lamp that was groundbreaking for its fluid form and experimental production methods. Sixty years later, the iconic design marks its anniversary in an energetic new shade of orange in the Serpente 60 edition.

A woman in a white shirt adjusts a large, modern table lamp with a white dome-shaped shade and an orange base and stand

While this marks the first time Serpente has been produced in this zesty hue, the color itself has long held a place in the brand’s history. “Orange is a color that evokes enthusiasm, movement, and creative freedom – the same qualities that characterized my father Elio Martinelli and still guide our work today,” shares Emiliana Martinelli, President of Martinelli Luce and Elio’s daughter. “I remember this lamp in our house, standing out on the piano when my son Marco started playing it as a child. Serpente is part of our history, both as a family and as a company, and fully identifies us.”

A modern table lamp with a curved orange base and a large white dome-shaped shade, placed on a gray surface against a gray background

A modern orange floor lamp and a plush orange chair are positioned against a teal wall, with a blue accent wall in the background

What sets Serpente apart is its fluid movement and unmistakably serpentine form. Designed with a swivel arm, the lamp’s diffuser rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing light to be directed exactly where it’s needed while creating a gentle, sinuous motion. The effect is both functional and expressive, reminiscent of a snake in motion.

A black desk with colored pencils, markers, paper, and an orange lamp sits by a window overlooking green trees. A wooden chair is positioned beside the desk

Close-up of an orange desk lamp base on a table with a visible power cord and technical drawings; greenery is blurred in the background

The fixture’s production was made possible through thermoforming techniques – innovative for their time – which allowed for the diffuser’s undercut shape and the arm’s complex curvature, cementing Serpente as a design that seamlessly marries form, function, and experimentation.

A person sits on a blue chair under a modern orange floor lamp, reading a book in a dimly lit room with a wooden floor and cabinet. A night sky and trees are visible outside the window

Also ground-breaking at the time was the use of bright colors, emerging during the height of the Pop movement when design embraced optimism, experimentation, and bold visual language. The return of orange for Serpente’s 60th anniversary feels especially fitting as a color synonymous with warmth, energy, and joy.

A modern orange desk lamp is illuminated on a wooden desk with a closed laptop and books, set against a red brick wall and large glass windows

Serpente is available as both a table and floor lamp, ready to strike your attention in its bold new color.

A modern table lamp with an orange curved base and a white dome-shaped shade sits on a blue cylindrical surface against a dark blue background.

A modern table lamp with an orange curved base and a white dome-shaped shade sits on a blue cylindrical surface against a dark blue background.

A modern table lamp with an orange curved base and a white dome-shaped shade sits on a blue cylindrical surface against a dark blue background.

A modern table lamp with an orange curved base and a white dome-shaped shade sits on a blue cylindrical surface against a dark blue background.

A modern orange and white table lamp is placed among numerous oranges covering the surface.

To shop Martinelli Luce’s Serpente 60 lamp by Elio Martinelli in its punchy new hue, visit martinelliluce.it.

Photography by Benvenuto Saba.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

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