FontanaArte Uovo Portable Table Lamp, Cordless Rechargeable Glass Egg, 11.8 in

The FontanaArte Uovo Portable table lamp is a cordless, rechargeable egg of white satin blown glass that you can carry wherever the evening goes: from the dining table to the terrace, from a bedside to a bookshelf. At 11.8 in tall it gives a warm, even glow with no cord to hide, and a transparent touch button switches it on and dims it. Because it is rated IP54, the same lamp that lights a reading corner indoors can sit on a garden table or a covered patio after dark.

Quick facts

• Product: Uovo Portable cordless table lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F264600150BIBW
• Type: Rechargeable portable table lamp, indoor and outdoor
• Best for: dining tables, terraces, patios, bedsides, shelves, restaurant and hotel tables
• Height: 11.8 in (30 cm)
• Diameter: 7 in (17.8 cm)
• Light source: Integrated LED, 2.2W, 250 lumens, 3000K warm white, CRI above 80
• Light: Diffused, dimmable with a transparent touch button
• Power: Rechargeable battery, about 8 hours of light per charge; charges with the included USB cable (wall adapter not included)
• Rating: IP54, suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Materials: White satin blown glass, metal
• Finish: White
• Certification: ETL pending
• Designer: Ben Swildens (Uovo 1972; Portable version 2023)
• Styles: Modern, Minimalist, Scandinavian, Contemporary

ETL certification for the U.S. and Canadian markets is in progress for this lamp.

Light quality and how it performs

The satin finish on the blown glass is what makes Uovo pleasant to sit beside. It hides the LED completely, so the whole egg glows evenly rather than showing a bright point, and the light that reaches the table is soft enough to share a meal by without glare in anyone's eyes. The 3000K colour is a warm white that flatters skin, food and timber, and at 250 lumens on full output it reads as a lantern rather than a work light.

The touch button is clear, so it disappears into the base of the shell. A tap turns the lamp on or off, and holding it brings the light down for a candle-like level at the end of a dinner or beside a sleeping child. The battery gives roughly eight hours between charges, which covers a long evening outdoors or several nights of short bedside use. Recharge it with the USB cable supplied in the box using any standard USB wall adapter you already own.

Size and placement

At 11.8 in (30 cm) tall and 7 in (17.8 cm) across, Uovo Portable is about the size of a large vase. That footprint fits a narrow nightstand, a bar ledge, a bathroom vanity shelf or the middle of a two-person bistro table, where it sits below eye level and never blocks conversation.

On a dining table, one lamp lights a table for four comfortably; for a long table of eight or more, space two or three along the centre line roughly 30 to 40 in apart so the pools of light overlap. Outdoors, set it on a stable, level surface out of standing water. The IP54 rating covers splashes and dust, so it should be brought inside before heavy rain or for storage over winter.

Where it works

Homes. Use it as a cordless bedside lamp on a nightstand with no outlet nearby, as a glowing object on a bookshelf, or as dinner-table light that moves to the terrace when the meal does. It is equally useful in a guest room, where a visitor can carry it to wherever they want to read.

Outdoor living. Balconies, roof terraces, covered patios and poolside tables are where cordless light earns its keep: no extension leads, no trip hazards, and nothing to wire.

Restaurants, bars and hotels. A table lamp that needs no cable is ideal for dining rooms, wine bars, hotel terraces and lounge seating where floor outlets are absent. Staff can charge a set during the day and place them at dusk, then move them between indoor and outdoor service areas as the weather changes. In guest rooms and suites it works as a portable reading light.

Style and pairing

The pure egg form designed by Ben Swildens in 1972 is quietly modern and fits almost any interior: Minimalist rooms in plaster and stone, Scandinavian schemes with pale oak and linen, and Contemporary spaces with dark lacquer or metal. Pair it with natural materials outdoors, such as teak, terracotta and woven chairs, and with books, ceramics or a single stem in a vase indoors. Several Uovo Portables grouped at different heights on a long sideboard or terrace wall make a striking, sculptural cluster.

Why choose Uovo Portable

• Cordless and rechargeable, so it goes where outlets do not.
• Rated IP54 for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Touch dimming built into a clear button that keeps the form clean.
• Hand-blown satin glass gives a soft, glare-free warm glow.
• A design icon from 1972, reissued in a practical modern format.

Care

Switch off before cleaning. Wipe the glass with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it; avoid abrasive pads and harsh solvents, which can mark the satin finish. Keep the charging port dry and only charge the lamp indoors. After outdoor use, wipe away dew or dust before bringing it in, and store it indoors when not in use for long periods.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Uovo Portable lamp be left outside? It is rated IP54 and is designed for indoor and outdoor use, so it handles splashes and dust on a terrace or patio. Bring it indoors to charge, in heavy rain and for long-term storage.

How long does it run on one charge? FontanaArte specifies a rechargeable battery with about 8 hours of light per charge.

How do I charge it? Use the USB cable included in the box with any standard USB wall adapter. The adapter itself is not included.

Is it dimmable? Yes. The transparent touch button turns the lamp on and off and adjusts the brightness.

How bright is it? The integrated LED gives 250 lumens at 3000K, a warm white similar to a soft lantern. It is ambient and table light rather than task light.

Can I replace the bulb? No. The LED is integrated, so there is no bulb to buy or change.

How big is it? It is 11.8 in (30 cm) tall and 7 in (17.8 cm) in diameter.

How many do I need for a dining table? One lamp suits a table for two to four. For longer tables, use two or three spaced along the centre.

Is it a good choice for restaurants and hotel terraces? Yes. It needs no wiring or outlet, so it can be charged in the back of house and placed on tables for service, indoors or out.

Is it certified for the U.S.? ETL certification for the U.S. and Canadian markets is pending.

What is it made of? A white satin blown-glass shell on a metal base.

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.