Floor Lamp in the style of George Nakashima, USA, 1961

Design
1961

Manufacture
Contemporary

Location
Lonigo, IT

Floor lamp in the style of George Nakashima, walnut and fabric, USA, 1961

Designed by George Nakashima, this floor lamp reflects the designer’s distinctive approach to material, form, and craftsmanship, developed in the United States around 1961.
Blending modern minimalism with traditional craftsmanship, the piece expresses Nakashima’s reverence for wood as a living material. The cylindrical shade, cantilevered from a hand-selected walnut base, merges clean geometry with organic texture. The rich grain of the walnut contrasts with the soft, diffused glow of the parchment diffuser, reminiscent of traditional Japanese Mino Washi.

The construction is both precise and expressive. The wood is shaped into smooth, continuous curves, flowing naturally into a base that retains its raw, unrefined edges. Rather than imposing form, the design allows the material to guide the composition—an approach deeply rooted in Nakashima’s philosophy.
The linear shade introduces a quiet rigor, balancing the organic presence of the base. This tension between control and spontaneity defines the piece, positioning it within a broader dialogue that includes figures such as Isamu Noguchi, where light, material, and tradition converge.
This lamp stands as a refined expression of Nakashima’s design language—restrained, tactile, and deeply connected to the intrinsic character of wood.

This piece was acquired, together with other works by the same designer, from a private collection.
While not accompanied by original documentation or order cards, the attribution is based on due diligence carried out on materials, construction techniques, and stylistic coherence. The wood has been identified as American walnut consistent with the 1960s, supported by specialist evaluation.
In the absence of original documentation, it should be noted that the piece may also be attributable to a later production.