FontanaArte Naska Wall Lamp, Swing-Arm Task Light, 2 Sizes, 3 Finishes

The FontanaArte Naska wall lamp is a swing-arm task light that fixes to the wall beside a desk, bed, reading chair or workbench and puts a focused pool of light exactly where you need it. Its jointed arm pivots at the wall bracket and folds at the elbow, and the conical metal head tilts toward a page, a keyboard or a sketch, then swings back out of the way. Designed in the 1930s and still made in the same archetypal form, Naska comes in two arm lengths and in white, black or chrome.

Quick facts

• Product: Naska wall lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F810340240CRN1 (Chrome, Small); see each version for its own number
• Type: Wall-mounted swing-arm task lamp
• Best for: home offices, desks, bedsides, reading chairs, studios, workshops, hotel rooms and offices
• Small: arm sections 11.8 in (30 cm) each, head 4.9 in (12.5 cm) diameter
• Large: arm sections 19.6 in (50 cm) each, head 6.2 in (16 cm) diameter
• Wall bracket: 1.7 in (4.3 cm) wide, 3.1 in (8 cm) high
• Light source: 1 x E26 bulb, 46W maximum, 110V (bulb not included)
• Light: direct, adjustable; not dimmable; rotary switch on the head
• Power: black cable and plug (the maker's specification lists a European two-pole plug)
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations
• Materials: painted metal; chrome-plated metal on the Chrome version; chromed metal wall bracket and pivot
• Finishes and sizes available: Chrome, Black, White; Small and Large
• Certification: UL pending
• Designer: FontanaArte Historical Archive (wall version 1937; Naska family 1933)
• Styles: Modern, Transitional, Retro/Vintage, Contemporary

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

Light quality and how it performs

Naska is a proper task light. The conical metal head concentrates the bulb's output into a defined, direct beam, so the light falls on your book or desk rather than spilling across the room. Because the arm swings at the wall and bends at the elbow, and the head tilts, you can bring the light close for detailed work or push it back to light a wider area of a desk. A rotary switch on the head lets you turn it on and off at the light itself. It takes a standard E26 bulb up to 46W; a warm white LED around 2700 K is comfortable for reading in the evening, while a 3000 to 4000 K bulb is crisper for desk work. It is not dimmable.

Size and placement

Each arm section of the Small is 11.8 in (30 cm), giving a compact reach for a nightstand or narrow desk; the Large has 19.6 in (50 cm) sections and a bigger 6.2 in (16 cm) head, enough to reach across a wide desk or over an armchair. The wall bracket is small, 1.7 x 3.1 in (4.3 x 8 cm). As general guidance:

• Beside a bed: fix the bracket about 2 to 2.5 ft (60 to 75 cm) above the mattress top, a little outside the headboard edge, so the head can swing over the pillow for reading and fold back to the wall.
• Over a desk: mount roughly 15 to 20 in (38 to 50 cm) above the desk surface on the side opposite your writing hand to avoid shadows; choose the Large for desks deeper than about 24 in (60 cm).
• Beside a reading chair: about 4 to 4.5 ft (1.2 to 1.4 m) from the floor, so the head can be lowered to just above shoulder height.
• Workshops and studios: fit a row above a workbench for adjustable task light at each station.

Leave enough clear wall around the bracket for the arm to swing fully in both directions.

Where it works

Homes. Bedsides where the nightstand is too small for a lamp; home offices and studies; reading corners; kitchens and craft rooms that need light on a work surface.

Hotels and commercial. Guest-room bedsides and writing desks, co-working spaces, design studios, libraries, receptions and retail counters. The wall mounting keeps surfaces clear, and the classic shape fits both heritage buildings and contemporary fit-outs.

Style and pairing

Naska is the archetypal articulated lamp, so it brings a quietly Retro, industrial-modern note that suits Modern, Transitional and Contemporary rooms. Chrome is the sharpest and most technical, beautiful against grey or white walls and with steel, glass and leather; Black is graphic and works with dark timber, rattan and bold colour; White disappears on pale walls for a light, Scandinavian-leaning look.

Why choose Naska

• A genuinely adjustable arm and head for real task lighting.
• Wall mounting frees up the desk or nightstand.
• Two reaches, Small and Large, and three finishes.
• A design classic in continuous production since the 1930s.
• Standard E26 bulb, easy to replace.

Care

Switch off and let the head cool before cleaning. Wipe the painted or chrome surfaces with a soft, dry cloth; use a slightly damp cloth for marks and dry it immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners on the chrome. Move the arm through its joints gently rather than forcing it past its stops.

Frequently asked questions

Is Naska good for reading in bed? Yes. Mounted beside the headboard, the arm swings over the pillow and folds back to the wall when you are done.

Which size should I choose for a desk? The Small suits narrow desks and bedsides; the Large, with 19.6 in arm sections, reaches across deeper desks and over armchairs.

Is it dimmable? No. It switches on and off with a rotary switch on the head.

What bulb does it take? One E26 bulb, 46W maximum, 110V. The bulb is not included.

Does it plug in or need hardwiring? It is supplied with a black cable and plug; the maker's specification lists a European two-pole plug, so have a licensed electrician fit the appropriate plug or connection for your installation.

Who designed Naska? It comes from the FontanaArte Historical Archive; the family dates to 1933 and the wall version to 1937.

What finishes are there? Chrome, Black and White, each in Small and Large.

Can it go in a kitchen or bathroom? In a dry kitchen area, yes; it is rated IP20, so keep it away from sinks, showers and splashes.

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

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.