Harvey Guzzini, the Italian lighting style of the 60s and 70s

Does the name Harvey Guzzini ring a bell? You might think, wrongly, that an Anglo-Saxon designer would use an Italian surname to produce inspired design... But that's not the case! It's an Italian design brand specialising in lighting and founded by the 6 Guzzini brothers (they're definitely Italian!) - Raimondo, Giovanni, Virgilio, Giuseppe, Adolfo and Giannunzio - who were inspired by the 1950 film Harvey starring James Stewart to choose the first part of their company name. This post retraces the history of the Harvey Guzzini brand, particularly its success in the 60s and 70s. Does the name Harvey Guzzini ring a bell? You might think, wrongly, of an Anglo-Saxon designer exploiting an Italian surname to produce inspired design... But that's not the case! It's an Italian design brand specialising in lighting and founded by the 6 Guzzini brothers (they're Italian, all right!) - Raimondo, Giovanni, Virgilio, Giuseppe, Adolfo and Giannunzio - who were inspired by the 1950 film Harvey starring James Stewart to choose the first part of their company name. This post retraces the history of the Harvey Guzzini brand, particularly its success in the 60s and 70s. Poster from the film Harvey, released in 1950 and starring James Stewart © afficheart Poster from the film Harvey, released in 1950 and starring James Stewart © afficheart Harvey Creazioni was founded in 1959 in Recanti, on Italy's central east coast, by Raimondo Guzzini. Initially, the company concentrated on the production of enamelled copper decorative objects. In June 1963, the six Guzzini brothers joined forces to found Harvey Creazioni di Guzzini, expanding production to include pendant lamps, wall lights, lamps and floor lamps. Over the course of the 20th century, the Italian company changed its name several times, becoming Harvey Creazioni, Guzzini, Illuminazione Guzzini and finally iGuzzini iGuzzini . Rare archive of the Guzzini family. Raimondo Guzzini, his wife Giuseppina and their children Mariano, Domenico and Emma © radioerre.it Rare archive of the Guzzini family. Raimondo Guzzini, his wife Giuseppina and their children Mariano, Domenico and Emma © radioerre.it The family business quickly became successful in the 60s for 2 reasons. Firstly, it enlisted the services of designer Luigi Massoni for his lighting creations. Born in Milan in 1930, Massoni was part of a new generation of Italian designers, like Joe Colombo - also from Milan and born in the same year - who were to mark the revival and success of the Italian furniture industry. By 1964, Luigi Massoni already had a 10-year career behind him. He had worked with some of Italy's leading furniture manufacturers, including Alessi and Boffi. For the Italian specialist in tableware and kitchen accessories, he co-designed the shaker in 1957. In 1959, he coordinated production for Boffi, where he created the first modular systems for the home and kitchen. The family business quickly became a success in the 60s for 2 reasons. Firstly, it enlisted the services of designer Luigi Massoni for his lighting creations. Born in Milan in 1930, Massoni was part of a new generation of Italian designers, like Joe Colombo - also from Milan and born in the same year - who were to mark the revival and success of the Italian furniture industry. By 1964, Luigi Massoni already had a 10-year career behind him. He had worked with some of Italy's leading furniture manufacturers, including Alessi and Boffi. For the Italian specialist in tableware and kitchen accessories, he co-designed the shaker in 1957. In 1959, he coordinated production for Boffi, where he designed the first modular systems for the home and kitchen. Luigi Massoni, portrait. poltronafrau.com Luigi Massoni, portrait. poltronafrau.com Shaker and ice bucket, design by Luigi Massoni & Carlo Mazzeri for Alessi, 1957. © artsurseine Shaker and ice bucket, design by Luigi Massoni & Carlo Mazzeri for Alessi, 1957. artsurseine Shaker design Luigi Massoni & Carlo Mazzeri for Alessi, 1957. © artsurseine Shaker design Luigi Massoni & Carlo Mazzeri for Alessi, 1957. © artsurseine Built-in kitchen "XYLA", design Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Considered to be the 1st kitchen available without a handle. The door on the base units opens by means of a profiled aluminium profile (top handle-rail). A creation recognised as one of the masterpieces of Italian design. archiproducts.com "XYLA" fitted kitchen, designed by Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Considered to be the 1st kitchen available without a handle. The door on the base units opens via a profiled aluminium profile (top handle-rail). A creation recognised as one of the masterpieces of Italian design. archiproducts.com "XYLA" fitted kitchen, designed by Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Overall view. archiproducts.com "XYLA" fitted kitchen, designed by Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Overall view. archiproducts.com "XYLA" fitted kitchen, designed by Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Overview of the kitchen. Over the years, this kitchen has been updated with new materials, including painted frosted glass (doors and top) and aluminium © archiproducts.com "XYLA" fitted kitchen, designed by Luigi Massoni for Boffi, 1972. Overall view. Over the years, this kitchen has been updated with new materials, including painted frosted glass (doors and top) and aluminium. © archiproducts.com Luigi Massoni has collaborated with some of Italy's top furniture designers, as here for Poltrona Frau. Dressing table and "Dilly Dally" seat, designed by Luigi Massoni, circa 1968. a-touch-of-design.com Luigi Massoni has worked with some of the top names in Italian design furniture, as shown here for Poltrona Frau. Dilly Dally" dressing table and chair, designed by Luigi Massoni, circa 1968. a-touch-of-design.com The second reason for Harvey Guzzini's success is that, like other Italian manufacturers and publishers of designer furniture such as Cassina and Artemide, the company collaborates with iconic designers such as Gio Ponti (considered the father of Italian industrial design), Gae Aulenti, Fabio Lenci, Rodolfo Bonetto, Cesare Casati and Ennio Lucini. Harvey Guzzini specialises in plastic products, whose shapes are inspired by renowned designers. The second reason for Harvey Guzzini's success is that, like other Italian manufacturers and publishers of designer furniture, such as Cassina and Artemide, the company collaborates with iconic designers, including Gio Ponti (considered the father of Italian industrial design), Gae Aulenti, Fabio Lenci, Rodolfo Bonetto, Cesare Casati and Ennio Lucini. Harvey Guzzini specialises in plastic products, whose shapes are inspired by renowned designers. Cobra lamp, Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. The Cobra lamp illustrates the evolution of design at Harvey Guzzini: research into form, a piece in Plexiglas, a material emblematic of the Guzzini style and representative of Italian design at the time. The chrome-plated metal arm that separates the base from the bonnet is a fantastic addition that gives the piece a particularly modern feel. SIDKd.o.o. Cobra lamp, publisher Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. The Cobra lamp illustrates the evolution of design at Harvey Guzzini: research into form, a piece in Plexiglas, a material emblematic of the Guzzini style and representative of Italian design at the time. The chrome-plated metal arm that separates the base from the bonnet is a fantastic addition that gives the piece a particularly modern feel. SIDKd.o.o. Cobra lamp, publisher Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. The chromed metal arm separating the base from the bonnet adds a very modern touch to the whole. SIDKd.o.o. Cobra lamp, publisher Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. The chromed metal arm separating the base from the bonnet adds a very modern touch to the whole. SIDKd.o.o. Superb Pulsino desk lamp, designed by Gio Ponti for Harvey Guzzini, 1960s © pamono.fr Superb Pulsino desk lamp, designed by Gio Ponti for Harvey Guzzini, 1960s © pamono.fr Superb Pulsino desk lamp, designed by Gio Ponti for Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. Materials used: aluminium, steel and acrylic. pamono.co.uk Superb Pulsino desk lamp, designed by Gio Ponti for Harvey Guzzini, 1960s. Materials used: aluminium, steel and acrylic. Pulsino desk lamp, Gio Ponti design for Harvey Guzzini, view from below, 60's. © pamono.fr Pulsino desk lamp, Gio Ponti design for Harvey Guzzini, view from below, 60's. © pamono.fr Pulsino desk lamp, Gio Ponti design for Harvey Guzzini, view from below, 60's. © pamono.en Desk lamp model Pulsino, design Gio Ponti for Harvey Guzzini, view from below, 1960's. © pamono.fr Table lamp model Focus in metal and plastic, design Fabio Lenci for Harvey Guzzini, 1970's. © Kooloo Modern Table lamp model Focus in metal and plastic, design Fabio Lenci for Harvey Guzzini, 1970's. © Kooloo Modern Table lamp model Nitia, design Rodolfo Bonetto for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. Round orange-red-black sloping acrylic base. Transparent rotating round acrylic shade on top. Round cover in silver-painted metal, perforated with 12 round holes. vintageinfo.be Nitia table lamp, Rodolfo Bonetto design for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. Round orange-red-black sloping acrylic base. Round rotating transparent acrylic shade on top. Round cover in silver-painted metal, perforated with 12 round holes. © vintageinfo.be Among the bestsellers from the Italian house and the models that made its reputation in the 1960s and 1970s were the Mushroom (1965) and Moana (1967) table lamps, the Arc (1968) floor lamp, the Faro (1970) and Toledo (1973) desk lamps, the Brumbery (1972) and Quadrifoglio (1968) lamps. Among the Italian company's bestsellers and the models that made its reputation in the 1960s and 1970s were the Mushroom table lamp (1965), the Moana table lamp (1967), the Arc floor lamp (1968), the Faro desk lamp (1970), the Toledo desk lamp (1973), the Brumbery table lamp (1972) and the Quadrifoglio table lamp (1968). Arc floor lamp, in-house design by Harvey Guzzini, created: 1968. Arc floor lamp, in-house design by Harvey Guzzini, created: 1968. Moana lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1967. Moana lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1967. If we had to pick out one design direction for Guzzini, we could say that the brand had fun - Harvey Guzzini "felt" the desire to produce a playful design - conceiving table lamps, pendant lamps and ceiling lights that took up very little space, working on organic shapes and combining metal (chrome-plated), moulded plastic and acrylic materials. Around 1976, Harvey Guzzini stopped producing copper objects. In terms of form, many of the designs we have mentioned for which Harvey Guzzini is famous are inspired by the 'mushroom' shape, which was very much in vogue at the time. If we had to pick out one design direction for Guzzini, we could say that the brand had fun - Harvey Guzzini 'felt' the desire to produce a playful design - conceiving table lamps, pendant lamps and ceiling lights that took up very little space, working on organic shapes and combining (chromed) metal, moulded plastic and acrylic materials. Around 1976, Harvey Guzzini stopped producing copper objects. In terms of form, many of the designs we have mentioned for which Harvey Guzzini is famous are inspired by the 'mushroom' shape, which was very much in vogue at the time. Mushroom table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni and Luciano Buttura for Harvey Guzzini, 1965. The brand's best-known "mushroom" model © selency.co.uk Mushroom table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni and Luciano Buttura for Harvey Guzzini, 1965. The brand's best-known "mushroom" model © selency.co.uk Pair of "Mushroom Space Age" desk lamps, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1960's. © pamono.f Pair of "Mushroom Space Age" desk lamps, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1960's. © pamono.f Quadrifoglio ("four-leaf clover") model lamp, designed by Gae Aulenti for Harvey Guzzini, 1968. An elegant table lamp with a chrome-plated steel base and methacrylate diffuser. This piece is reminiscent of the designer's famous Pipistrello lamp for Martinelli Luce, another leading Italian lighting designer! drouot.com Quadrifoglio ("four-leaf clover") lamp, designed by Gae Aulenti for Harvey Guzzini, 1968. An elegant table lamp with a chrome-plated steel base and methacrylate diffuser. This piece is reminiscent of the designer's famous Pipistrello lamp for Martinelli Luce, another leading Italian lighting designer! drouot.com Brumbery table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. A classic from the Italian house that diffuses a very pleasant warm light! antiquesmc.co.uk Brumbery table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. An Italian classic that diffuses a pleasant warm light! antiquesmc.co.uk Brumbery table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. This model has 4 light sources, and the top and sides of the shade can be lit at different intensities. The top bulb can be operated independently using an in-line switch. antiquesmc.co.uk Brumbery table lamp, designed by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, 1972. The model has 4 light sources, and the top and sides of the shade can be lit at different intensities. The top bulb can be operated independently using an in-line switch. Brumbery lamps also come in a range of colours. At the time, the base of the lamp was made of chromed metal and the shade of methacrylate plastic (acrylic). Brumbery lamps also came in a range of colours. At the time, the base of the lamp was in chromed metal, the shade in methacrylate plastic (acrylic). antiquesmc.co.uk While I have mentioned some of the famous designers who have left their mark on the brand's history, there are others, less well known to the general public, who have collaborated actively and over a long period with Harvey Guzzini, contributing to the brand's image of clever, playful design. Designers Ermanno Lampa and Sergio Brazzoli, for example, designed several pieces during the 1970s. The most striking models in chronological order are the Nastro series (1970), the Orione suspension lamp (1970), the Sirio desk lamp (1970), the Alba floor lamp (1973), the Albanella desk lamp (1973) and the Alf series (1976). While I have mentioned some of the famous designers who have left their mark on the brand's history, others, less well known to the general public, have collaborated actively and over a long period with Harvey Guzzini, contributing to the brand's image of clever, playful design. Designers Ermanno Lampa and Sergio Brazzoli, for example, designed several pieces during the 1970s. The most striking models in chronological order are the Nastro series (1970), the Orione suspension lamp (1970), the Sirio desk lamp (1970), the Alba floor lamp (1973), the Albanella desk lamp (1973) and the Alf series (1976). Orione ceiling lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. © pamono.fr Orione ceiling lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. © pamono.fr Orione ceiling lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. Simplicity and elegance. Orione ceiling lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. Simple and elegant. Pair of Sirio table lamps, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. © pamono.fr Pair of Sirio table lamps, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. © pamono.fr Pair of Sirio table lamps, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. Top view. pamono.fr Pair of Sirio table lamps, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1970. Top view. pamono.fr Alba ("sunrise") vintage floor lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. This sculptural piece can be described as futuristic in design. This floor lamp is made from white moulded plastic with a heavy black cast-iron base. Alba ("sunrise") vintage floor lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. This sculptural piece can be described as futuristic in design. This floor lamp is made from white moulded plastic with a heavy black cast-iron base. Alba vintage floor lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. Top view. Vintage Alba floor lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. View from above. The Albanella desk lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. © 1stdibs.com The Albanella desk lamp, designed by Sergio Brazzoli and Ermanno Lampa for Harvey Guzzini, 1973. © 1stdibs.com In 1967, the brand, then in full expansion, took part in the exhibition "Domus: Italian Forms", designed and curated by Gio Ponti. It showcased the best of Italian art, decoration and design over an area of 2,000 m2. The event was a resounding success, attracting 30,000 visitors per exhibition day! A symbol of the richness and variety of Italian art and design - Michelangelo Pistoletto and Lucio Fontana were among those present! - the exhibition was held at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. In 1967, the brand took part in the exhibition "Domus: Italian Forms", designed and curated by Gio Ponti. It showcased the best of Italian art, decoration and design over an area of 2,000 m2. The event was a resounding success, attracting 30,000 visitors per exhibition day! A symbol of the richness and variety of Italian art and design - Michelangelo Pistoletto and Lucio Fontana were among those present! - the exhibition was held at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. In 1974, Harvey Guzzini changed its name to iGuzzini. Always present and active in the world of lighting, it launched a new line of technologically advanced luminaires, including low-voltage halogen lamps. Today, iGuzzini is a world leader in architectural lighting, designing luminaires for workspaces, urban infrastructures and cultural heritage sites. Far from turning its back on its past, iGuzini is committed to preserving the memory of Italian design. In 1974, Harvey Guzzini changed its name to iGuzzini. Always present and active in the world of lighting, it launched a new line of technologically advanced luminaires, including low-voltage halogen lamps. Today, iGuzzini is a world leader in architectural lighting, designing luminaires for workspaces, urban infrastructures and cultural heritage sites. Far from turning its back on its past, iGuzini is committed to preserving the memory of Italian design. For example, it is responsible for the lighting of the new Italian Design Museum, due to open in 2019 at the Palazzo dell'Arte in Milan. François Boutard François Boutard

Harvey Guzzini, the Italian lighting style of the 60s and 70s

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