"Butterfly" floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa for FLOS, 1980s

A masterpiece of Italian design, the Butterfly floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos embodies the elegance and innovation of the 1980s. Featuring a directional pleated fabric fan-shaped diffuser, this lamp emits a soft, enveloping light, creating a sophisticated and timeless atmosphere.

The slender pastel purple metal stem, a rare version, gracefully extends upward, culminating in the distinctive diffuser reminiscent of a butterfly’s open wings. The black circular base ensures stability and understated elegance, allowing the true star to shine: the light itself.

It comes with the original instruction booklet from the period and some factory-supplied spare parts. Excellent condition, with normal signs of wear consistent with age and use.Ideal for vintage, postmodern, or contemporary interiors, Butterfly is a collector’s piece that adds character and uniqueness to any space.

H.204 / W.48 / D.38 (cm)

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Shipping (front door at ground floor) from Italy warehouse to : 

Tobia Scarpa, a renowned Italian designer and architect, has collaborated with Flos since the 1960s, helping to shape the company's aesthetic and technological vision. The son of the famous architect Carlo Scarpa, Tobia developed a style that combines technical innovation with refined formal elegance, experimenting with cutting-edge materials and lighting solutions.

Flos, founded in 1962, quickly became a benchmark for designer lighting, thanks to its ability to blend technological research with creativity. Within this context, Tobia Scarpa's collaboration led to the creation of some of the brand’s most iconic lamps.

Iconic Lamps by Tobia Scarpa for Flos (up to the 1990s):

1. "Biagio" (1968) – A sculptural lamp carved from a single block of Carrara marble, featuring soft and essential lines. It perfectly exemplifies Scarpa’s ability to transform noble materials into functional objects with a strong aesthetic impact.

2. "Papillona" (1975) – A floor lamp with a blown satin glass diffuser and a metal structure, designed to emit a warm and diffused light, embodying the discreet elegance typical of Italian design.

3. "Fantasma" (1961-1968) – An iconic floor lamp made from cocoon resin, a sprayed plastic coating over a metal frame that creates a soft, diffused lighting effect. This model represents Flos’s experimentation with innovative materials.

4. "Ala" (1983) – A minimalist and functional floor lamp with a sleek shape and an adjustable head, designed to provide directional lighting.

5. "Butterfly" (1980s) – A refined floor lamp with a pleated fan-shaped diffuser that can be adjusted, combining aesthetics and functionality with a lightweight and sculptural design.

Tobia Scarpa’s work for Flos redefined the concept of home lighting, introducing innovative solutions that remain a benchmark in the design industry to this day.