FontanaArte Giova Table Lamp, Glass Globe Lamp and Flower Vase, 2 Sizes

The FontanaArte Giova table lamp is half lamp, half vase: a clear blown-glass globe with a glowing white sphere inside, crowned by a bubbled glass bowl you can fill with flowers, branches or nothing at all. It is made for consoles, dining sideboards, coffee tables and hotel lobbies, where it gives a soft, warm glow from within the glass and doubles as a living centrepiece. Choose the Small at 14.6 in or the Large at 23.2 in, in Gold with Grey glass or Chrome with Pink glass.

Quick facts

• Product: Giova table lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F268405575OON1 (Small, Gold/Grey); each size and finish has its own number
• Type: Plug-in glass table lamp with integrated vase bowl
• Best for: consoles, sideboards, coffee tables, dining rooms, entries, hotel lobbies, restaurants and boutiques
• Small: 12.6 in (32 cm) diameter x 14.6 in (37 cm) high
• Large: 19.7 in (50 cm) diameter x 23.2 in (59 cm) high
• Light source: 1 x E26 bulb; Small 46W max, Large 100W max; 110V (bulb not included)
• Light: diffused, not dimmable; switch on the black cord
• Power: plug-in; no hardwiring
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations only
• Materials: clear blown-glass globe; glossy white blown-glass inner sphere; coloured pulegoso (bubbled) blown-glass top bowl; metal base in gold or chrome finish
• Finishes and sizes available: Gold with Grey glass, Chrome with Pink glass; Small, Large
• Certification: UL pending
• Designer: Gae Aulenti (1964)
• Styles: Mid-century, Modern, Contemporary, Transitional

UL certification for the U.S. market is in progress for this lamp.

Light quality and how it performs

The bulb sits inside a glossy white glass sphere, which sits inside a larger clear glass globe. The inner sphere softens the light, and the clear outer globe lets it glow out in every direction, so Giova reads as a luminous object: warm and ambient rather than a focused reading light. Above it, the bubbled top bowl catches the light from below; empty, it shimmers, and filled with flowers or greenery it frames them in a soft halo. The Small takes one E26 bulb up to 46W and the Large up to 100W; a warm-white LED bulb keeps the glass cool and the glow gentle. It switches from the cord and is not dimmable.

Size and placement

The Small (14.6 in high, 12.6 in across) suits a side table, a narrow console or a coffee-table corner; allow about 15 in of clear surface. The Large (23.2 in high, 19.7 in across) is a centrepiece for a dining sideboard, a wide console, an entry table or a reception counter; allow about 22 in. Because the bowl is an open vessel, place the lamp where it is easy to refresh water or flowers, and keep it stable and away from busy edges. A single Large reads as a statement; a pair of Smalls at either end of a long buffet makes a balanced composition.

Where it works

Dining rooms. On a sideboard, Giova replaces both the table lamp and the flower arrangement, glowing softly behind dinner.

Living rooms and entries. On a console or coffee table, it is a conversation piece that changes with the seasons as you change what is in the bowl.

Bedrooms and studies. A Small on a dresser or bookshelf gives a soft evening light with a living, natural element.

Hotels, restaurants and boutiques. Giova is made for lobby consoles, reception desks, restaurant host stands and display tables, where it acts as both lighting and floral display. Changing the flowers is an easy way to mark seasons and events while keeping the same signature piece.

Style and pairing

Giova marked Gae Aulenti's debut in lighting design in 1964, and it carries the curiosity of 1960s Italian design: a pure sphere, a playful stacked composition and real craft in the bubbled glass. Gold with Grey glass suits warm Mid-century and Transitional rooms with walnut, velvet and marble; Chrome with Pink glass brings a fresh, light note to Modern and Contemporary spaces with white walls, pale stone and blush or grey textiles. Fill the bowl with something simple, a single type of flower or a few branches, so the glass stays the star.

Why choose Giova

• Lamp and vase in one, designed by Gae Aulenti in 1964.
• Three layers of blown glass, including a bubbled pulegoso bowl.
• A soft, all-round glow that makes a centrepiece of any surface.
• Two sizes and two finish combinations: Gold/Grey or Chrome/Pink.

Care

Switch off and unplug before cleaning or adding water. Use the top bowl for flowers with care: fill it away from the lamp or with a small jug, avoid overflowing, and wipe any drips at once so no water reaches the globe, base or cord. Clean the glass with a soft cloth dampened with mild soapy water, then dry; do not use alcohol or solvents. Handle the glass parts with both hands. For dry indoor rooms only.

Frequently asked questions

Can I really put flowers in the top? Yes. The top bowl is designed as a vase. Fill it carefully and keep water away from the electrical parts.

Do I have to use the bowl? No. Empty, the bubbled glass bowl still catches the light beautifully.

Which size suits a dining sideboard? The Large, at 23.2 in high and 19.7 in across. The Small suits side tables and narrow consoles.

What bulb does it take? One E26 bulb: Small up to 46W, Large up to 100W. Bulbs are not included.

Is it dimmable? No. It switches on and off from the cord.

What is pulegoso glass? Blown glass with irregular bubbles trapped inside, which gives the top bowl its textured shimmer.

Gold/Grey or Chrome/Pink? Gold/Grey is warmer and suits wood and brass; Chrome/Pink is lighter and suits white, grey and pastel schemes.

Is it bright enough to read by? It is an ambient, decorative light. Pair it with a reading lamp where you need task light.

Is it UL certified? UL certification for the U.S. market is pending.

Can it be used outdoors or in a bathroom? No. It is rated IP20 for dry interiors.

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.