FontanaArte Amax Suspension Light, Oversized White Tapered Shade, 4 Sizes

The FontanaArte Amax suspension light is an oversized white pendant for dining rooms, stairwells, lofts, restaurants and office atriums: the familiar tapered lampshade, blown up in scale and hung from a red fabric cable. The white polyethylene shade turns one or three ordinary bulbs into a broad, even, dimmable glow, and the four sizes run from a 12.5 in pendant for a kitchen island to a 42.9 in shade that holds its own in a two-storey space. On the Large and XXL, a disc closes the bottom of the shade so you never look up into bare bulbs.

Quick facts

• Product: Amax suspension light
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F544480350BINU (Small), F544485350BINU (Medium), F544490350BINU (Large), F544495350BINU (XXL)
• Type: Hardwired pendant / suspension light
• Best for: dining rooms, kitchen islands, stairwells, double-height living rooms, restaurants, offices, galleries and lobbies
• Shade diameter: Small 12.5 in (32 cm), Medium 18.5 in (47 cm), Large 32.2 in (82 cm), XXL 42.9 in (109 cm)
• Shade height: Small 11.4 in (29 cm), Medium 17.3 in (44 cm), Large 25.9 in (66 cm), XXL 34.6 in (88 cm)
• Cable length: 118.1 to 157.4 in (300 to 400 cm), per the maker drawing; shorten on site
• Light source: E26. Small 1 x 100W max; Medium 1 x 150W max; Large 3 x 100W max; XXL 3 x 150W max (bulbs not included)
• Light/dimming: diffused light, dimmable with a compatible dimmer and bulbs
• Power: 110V, hardwired with a ceiling canopy (ceiling rose)
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations
• Materials: white polyethylene diffuser, chromed metal frame, steel suspension cable, red fabric power cable, chromed thermoplastic ceiling rose
• Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large, XXL (white)
• Certification: ETL (Intertek) pending
• Designer: FontanaArte Historical Archive (2003)
• Styles: Modern, Contemporary, Minimalist

ETL (Intertek) certification for the U.S. market is in progress for this pendant.

Light quality and how it performs

Amax is a diffuser first: the translucent white polyethylene shade glows evenly all over and softens the bulb into a wide, calm light with no hot spots. Light pours from the open bottom onto the table or floor below, while the shade itself lights up as a bright white cone that reads clearly across a large room. On the Large and XXL, the bottom disc covers the three bulbs, so the light stays soft even when you look up from a stair or a lower floor.

Because it uses standard E26 sockets, you choose the bulbs: warm white (2700 K) for homes and restaurants, a slightly cooler white for offices. The maker lists every size as dimmable; pair a dimmable bulb with a compatible wall dimmer.

Size and placement

Over a dining table or island. As general guidance, hang the bottom of the shade about 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) above the surface. The Small (12.5 in) works in a pair or a row of three over a kitchen island. The Medium (18.5 in) suits a single pendant over a round or square table of about 36 to 48 in. The Large (32.2 in) needs a table of roughly 60 in or more and a ceiling of 9 ft or higher.

In an entry, stairwell or double-height room. Keep at least 7 ft (213 cm) between the floor or nearest step and the bottom of the shade where people walk. The XXL (42.9 in across, 34.6 in tall) is scaled for two-storey entries, open stair halls and lofts, where its bottom disc keeps the bulbs out of sight from above and below.

Commercial spaces. Hung in rows at a consistent height, Amax gives an even field of light across restaurant floors, galleries, retail aisles and open-plan offices. Space larger sizes so the shades do not crowd each other; the gap between them should be at least half a shade diameter.

Installation. Amax is hardwired to a ceiling junction box and finishes with a chromed ceiling rose. It hangs from a steel suspension cable with a red fabric power cable; the maker drawing shows a cable of 118.1 to 157.4 in (300 to 400 cm), which the installer shortens to the drop you want. Have a licensed electrician install it, and check that the ceiling can carry the larger sizes.

Where it works

Homes. A Medium over a breakfast table, a trio of Smalls over an island, or a single XXL in a stair hall or loft living room: the same shape works at every scale, so you can repeat it through an open-plan home. The white shade brightens dark rooms and keeps a large pendant from feeling heavy.

Hospitality, retail and workplaces. Amax is at home in restaurants, cafés, hotel lobbies, showrooms, galleries, libraries and offices with high ceilings. The red cable adds a graphic line that suits branded interiors, and standard E26 bulbs keep maintenance simple for facility teams.

Style and pairing

Amax is pure geometry: a white cone, a chrome rose and one red line. That makes it a natural fit for Modern, Contemporary and Minimalist schemes, and it adds a playful note to industrial lofts with concrete, steel and exposed timber. Pair it with white oak or black-stained tables, moulded or wire chairs, and white or pale grey walls; the red cable picks up red accents in art, textiles or tile.

Why choose Amax

• One classic shape in four sizes, from a kitchen-island pendant to a 42.9 in statement light.
• Even, glare-free light from a translucent white shade, dimmable with standard E26 bulbs.
• Bottom disc on the Large and XXL hides the bulbs from below.
• A long cable, up to 157.4 in, for tall ceilings and stairwells.

Care

Switch off the power and let the bulbs cool. Dust the shade inside and out with a soft, dry cloth or a feather duster; for marks, wipe the polyethylene with a cloth lightly dampened with water and a little mild soap, then dry it. Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners, and keep moisture away from sockets and wiring.

Frequently asked questions

Which Amax size should I choose for my dining table? For a table up to about 48 in, choose the Medium (18.5 in). For a table of about 60 in or more with a ceiling of 9 ft or higher, choose the Large (32.2 in). Use two or three Smalls over a long island.

How high should it hang over a table? As general guidance, the bottom of the shade should sit about 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) above the tabletop.

Can I use Amax in a stairwell or two-storey entry? Yes. The Large and XXL are scaled for tall spaces, and their bottom disc hides the bulbs when seen from above or below. Keep at least 7 ft of clearance above the floor or nearest step.

How long is the cable? The maker drawing shows 118.1 to 157.4 in (300 to 400 cm). Your installer shortens it to the height you want.

What bulbs does it take? E26 bulbs: one on the Small (up to 100W) and Medium (up to 150W); three on the Large (up to 100W each) and XXL (up to 150W each). Bulbs are not included.

Is Amax dimmable? Yes, with dimmable bulbs and a compatible wall dimmer.

Does it plug in? No. It is hardwired to a ceiling junction box with a chromed ceiling rose. A licensed electrician should install it.

What is the shade made of? White polyethylene on a chromed metal frame. It is light, diffuses evenly and wipes clean.

Will I see the bulbs from below? On the Large and XXL, a bottom disc covers them. On the Small and Medium, hang the pendant at table height so the bulb sits above eye level.

Is it certified for the U.S.? ETL (Intertek) certification is pending, according to the maker.

Can it be used outdoors or in a bathroom? It is rated IP20 for dry indoor locations only. It is not for outdoor or wet areas.

Trade & project orders

Interior designers, architects and hospitality buyers can join the MetropolitanDecor trade program for trade pricing. We also prepare quotes for multi-unit and project orders; contact us with your quantities.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.