Vivai del Sud “Lotus Leaf” Wall Lights, 1970s, Set of 2
Description
Vivai del Sud "Lotus Leaf" wall lights, banana leaf and brass, Italy, 1970s, set of 2
Produced by Vivai del Sud, the Roman atelier founded by the Di Pierri brothers that through the 1960s and 1970s became the leading Italian studio working in organic materials and botanical forms, these wall lights take their shade from the silhouette of a lotus leaf. Each shade is hand-constructed from dried banana leaf, its surface built up from densely packed fibers radiating outward from a central knot to the perimeter, where a rattan binding closes the form. The result is a shallow, concave disc that holds its shape through the tension of the material alone, with no internal armature visible. The brass wall bracket connects to the shade stem through a junction wrapped in rattan, integrating the hardware into the natural palette of the piece. When lit, the fibers filter the light into a warm, diffuse glow that spreads across the wall behind.
Vivai del Sud occupied an unusual position in postwar Italian design, drawing on craft traditions and botanical sources at a moment when most Italian production was moving toward industrial materials. Their work in bamboo, rattan, and natural fibers was collected internationally and appeared in significant private interiors of the period.
Dimensions
Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)
Width: 18.12 in (46 cm)
Depth: 22.84 in (58 cm)
Design
1970s
Manufacture
1970-1979
Material
Banana leaf and brass
Location
Lonigo, IT
Condition
The sconces are authentic to the period, with verified provenance and age. The brass shows a natural patina consistent with time, considered a hallmark of authenticity. All components, including screws and details, have been carefully checked.