By Gabriele
Design Icon, Episode Three.
Welcome to the third episode of our column Design Icon, today dedicated to the famous ‘Toio’ lamp.
The brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Toio in 1962. It is currently produced by Flos.
With its functional yet very charming shape, the Toio lamp aims to express the magic of a toy, as its name is derived from the English word Toy.
The central element of the ‘Toio’ is the light point, made from a car headlight imported from the United States in the 1960s.
On this foundational element, the Castiglioni brothers constructed the shape of the Toio, which is created by assembling industrial objects in production that have been repurposed from their original use.
The base of this indirect light lamp is made of black lacquered metal and houses the transformer, which is deliberately left exposed and also serves as a counterweight.
A metal structure serves as a handle and holds the telescopic stem, made of a hexagonal section of nickel-plated brass. The external electrical conductors are contained in fishing line tubes. The height adjustment is made with a screw.
The lamp itself is located at the top, supported by a metal ring welded to metal rods.
For lovers of original vintage items, but also for those who want to add a personal touch to their home, we have a specimen of Toio from the 1980s available in our warehouse in Cambiago.
See you at the next icon!
