FontanaArte Mano Table Lamp, Hand-Base with Black Conical Shade, 27.5 in

The FontanaArte Mano table lamp is a 27.5 in sculptural lamp for bedside tables, consoles, desks and hospitality spaces. A black fabric shade is held aloft by a sculpted white hand, so the lamp reads as an object on the table before it reads as a light. A dimmer on the cord sets the mood from reading brightness to a low evening glow, and the plug-in cord means there is nothing to install.

Quick facts

• Product: Mano table lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F420805400NEN1
• Type: Plug-in table lamp, bedside and console lamp
• Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, entries, home offices, hotel guest rooms, boutiques and lobbies
• Height: 27.5 in (70 cm)
• Shade diameter: 18.1 in (46 cm)
• Light source: 1 x E26 bulb, 57W maximum (bulb not included)
• Light: diffused and dimmable, dimmer included on the cord
• Power: 110-120V, black power cable with dimmer, supplied with a U.S. plug
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations only
• Materials: black fabric shade lined with white PVC; hand in marble powder and resin; soft-touch painted metal stem and base
• Certification: UL pending
• Designer: Pietro Chiesa (1938)
• Styles: Transitional, Modern, Scandinavian

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

Light quality and how it performs

Mano gives diffused, dimmable light. The black fabric shade is lined with white PVC, so the glow is soft and even instead of a hard circle. The ends of the shade are open, so light falls onto the surface below for reading and writing and spills upward onto the wall behind. The dimmer is included on the cord, so you can move from task brightness to a quiet evening level without changing the bulb. It takes one E26 bulb up to 57W, so you choose the colour temperature that suits the room: warm white for bedrooms and lounges, a slightly cooler tone for a desk.

Size and placement

With a shade 18.1 in (46 cm) across and an overall height of 27.5 in (70 cm), Mano is a statement lamp rather than a small accent. The shade is generous, so give it a surface roughly 20 in wide or more: a deep console, a wide nightstand, a sideboard or a desk. For bedside reading, the lower edge of the shade should sit near eye level when you are propped up, so measure the nightstand before you choose.

Where it works

Bedrooms and guest suites. Use a matched pair, one on each side of the bed. It gives the headboard wall a calm symmetry and each sleeper their own dimmable reading light, with no wall wiring and no electrician.

Living rooms and entries. Let it carry a console, sideboard or hall table. Place it slightly off-centre with a stack of books or a ceramic vessel on the other side, and a flat surface becomes a small vignette. The white hand reads as sculpture even in daylight.

Home offices and studios. It gives soft task light at desk height, with far more character than a standard desk lamp.

Hotels, retail and lobbies. A plug-in accent for check-in desks, lounge tables, fitting-room shelves and display counters. It needs only an outlet, so it can be placed, moved and replaced without ceiling work, which makes a consistent look across many rooms easy to specify.

Style and pairing

The black shade and white hand give Mano a strong graphic contrast that sits comfortably in Transitional and Modern rooms and adds a bold, quiet note to Scandinavian schemes built on pale oak, linen and plaster. Set it against a plain painted wall, a lacquered or stone-topped console or a dark timber nightstand so the hand silhouette stays clean and legible. Keep the surfaces around it edited: a book, a small tray, a single plant.

Why choose Mano

• A sculptural lamp that works as décor when switched off.
• Dimmer included, so no extra controls to buy.
• Plug-in with a U.S. plug, ready for homes and hospitality alike.
• Soft, diffused light that is easy to read by and easy to live with.

Care

Switch the lamp off and let it cool before cleaning. Dust the fabric shade with a soft brush or lint roller and wipe the hand and base with a soft, dry cloth. Keep liquids and spray cleaners away from the shade, socket and cord, and use the lamp in dry interior rooms only.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FontanaArte Mano table lamp used for? It works as a bedside lamp, console lamp, desk lamp or accent lamp in bedrooms, living rooms, entries, home offices, hotel suites, boutiques and lobbies.

What size is the Mano table lamp? It is 27.5 in (70 cm) tall with a shade 18.1 in (46 cm) in diameter.

Is the Mano lamp dimmable? Yes. A dimmer is included on the cord.

What bulb does Mano take? One E26 bulb, 57W maximum. The bulb is not included.

What plug does it have? It is supplied with a U.S. plug and a black power cable with the dimmer on the cord.

What is Mano made of? A black fabric shade lined with white PVC, a hand in marble powder and resin, and a soft-touch painted metal stem and base.

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

Does it need installation or wiring? No. It plugs into a standard outlet and can go anywhere there is a table and a power point.

Should I buy one or two? Buy two for a bed with a nightstand on each side, or for a long console where symmetry is wanted. Use one lamp when you want a single strong accent or the surface is narrow.

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

Will it fit a small nightstand? The shade is 18.1 in across, so a very narrow table will feel crowded. Use a wider console or sideboard instead.

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.