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The Glass of Light: Universale by Italamp and Virginia Cei

Some lamps become more than interior objects. Some lamps resemble works of art and personal stories told through form and material. Universale by Italamp is one such lamp. The silhouette resembles a glass filled with light. Designer Virginia Cei created a small ritual for a bedside table or the centre of a living room.

Italamp: the story of light becoming a luxury

Italian brand Italamp was founded in 1975, when large chandeliers still dominated the lighting market. The company chose a different direction by focusing on craftsmanship, glass and design. Italamp lighting has since appeared in interiors across Milan and New York.

Italamp follows a simple philosophy: light is emotion rather than technology. Each model therefore receives a name with character instead of a catalogue number. Romantic, Venezia, Amuleti and Universale each sound like a short story.

Universale: a cup filled with light

The lamp form recalls a Venetian glass goblet. The stem is made from crystal that is cut and polished by hand. The shade is made from matte blown glass, which diffuses light as though the light originates inside the shade.

Facts that make Universale distinctive:

  • The shade is made using a technique related to Venetian blown glass.
  • Each crystal stem has its own microscopic facet patterns, so no two stems are identical.
  • The name Universale relates to the idea of universal love, a symbol that the designer placed within the object.
  • The base is available in three versions: matte champagne gold, bronze and refined black.

Virginia Cei: a designer with a sense of form

Virginia Cei was born in Tuscany, a region where people have worked with glass and stone for centuries. Virginia Cei began with sculpture, and the sculptural background is visible in the work. The forms remain fluid, as though shaped by an artist's hand.

Details from the designer's profile:

Universale was Virginia Cei's first work for Italamp, and the design entered the brand's permanent collection immediately.

Virginia Cei says that crystal appeals to her because it holds light within itself and reflects light differently each time.

Virginia Cei's signature is the combination of a minimalist form and an expressive material.

Why Universale is considered iconic

Universale resembles a glass sculpture in daylight. The lamp comes alive when switched on in the evening and becomes the focus of the space. The contrast between its daytime and evening appearance gives Universale its iconic status.

Interior design publications identify three reasons for the model's popularity:

  • The recognisable silhouette resembles a glass filled with light and is difficult to confuse with another design.
  • The interaction of materials creates layered radiance through crystal and matte glass.
  • The lamp suits minimalist interiors and classic interiors equally well.

Universale at Antonovych Home

Visitors can see Universale at the Antonovych Home showroom in Astana. The lamp shows clearly in the showroom that Universale is more than a lamp. The design becomes a focal point around which accents, furniture and the mood of the room can be arranged.

A final note

Universale shows that light can serve as more than a function and can also express an idea. The lamp recalls a glass of champagne through its lightness, sparkle and ability to create a mood. Unlike a champagne glass, Universale remains with you permanently.

Italian design can turn simple objects into rituals. Universale is a strong example of how a lamp can become a symbol of love for home, beauty and life.