FontanaArte Uovo Table Lamp, White Satin Glass Egg, 3 Sizes

The FontanaArte Uovo table lamp is a white satin blown-glass egg that turns a nightstand, console or sideboard into a soft source of glowing, all-round light. With no shade, no visible bulb and no hard edges, it reads as a quiet sculpture by day and a warm lantern after dark. Three sizes let you scale it from a small bedside light at 11 in tall to a 24.4 in statement piece for a long console or a hotel lobby table, and every size comes with a dimmer on the cord.

Quick facts

• Product: Uovo table lamp
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item numbers (MPN): Small F264600100BIN1; Medium F264605100BIN1; Large F264610100BIN1
• Type: Plug-in table lamp, bedside, console and accent lamp
• Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, entries, consoles, sideboards, hotel rooms, lounges and lobbies
• Small: 11 in (28 cm) high, 7 in (18 cm) diameter
• Medium: 17.3 in (44 cm) high, 10.6 in (27 cm) diameter
• Large: 24.4 in (62 cm) high, 16.9 in (43 cm) diameter
• Light source: 1 x E26 bulb (not included); maximum 30W Small, 70W Medium, 100W Large
• Light: Diffused all-round glow, dimmer included on the cord
• Power: 110 V plug-in; black power cable, plug and switch
• Rating: IP20, dry indoor locations
• Materials: White blown glass with satin finish; white painted metal base
• Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large
• Certification: ETL pending
• Designer: Ben Swildens (1972)
• Styles: Modern, Minimalist, Scandinavian, Contemporary, Retro

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

Light quality and how it performs

Uovo is a diffuser lamp: the whole glass shell lights up, so the light leaves it in every direction instead of being pushed down by a shade. The satin finish on the inside of the blown glass scatters the bulb so you see an even, milky glow and no hot spot. That makes it ideal ambient light for a room you want to feel calm in, and gentle enough for a bedside where a bare bulb or a bright downlight would be too much.

Each size takes a standard E26 bulb, so you choose the colour and output. A 2700K LED gives the warm, candle-like tone that suits bedrooms and lounges; a 3000K bulb looks crisper on a console in a white room. The dimmer on the cord lets you take the large size from a bright room-filling glow down to a night-light level, which is useful in hotel rooms, hallways and nurseries.

Size and placement

Small (11 in / 28 cm). The right size for a narrow nightstand, a bathroom shelf, a bookcase or a child's room. It works as a pair on twin bedside tables and as a soft night light.

Medium (17.3 in / 44 cm). The everyday choice for a standard nightstand of 18 to 24 in, a side table beside a sofa, or a desk where you want ambient rather than task light.

Large (24.4 in / 62 cm). A statement lamp for a console, sideboard, buffet or the floor beside a lounge chair. With a 16.9 in diameter it needs a surface at least 20 in deep, and it holds its own in a double-height living room or hotel lobby.

Grouping two or three sizes together on one sideboard or in a corner creates a sculptural composition, as FontanaArte shows in its own photography. Keep at least a hand's width between the glass shells so each egg reads clearly.

Where it works

Bedrooms and living rooms. The medium Uovo on each nightstand gives a soft, symmetrical frame to a bed. In a living room, a large Uovo on a console behind a sofa adds a pool of glowing light at seated eye level without glare.

Entries and hallways. A lit egg on a hall table is the first thing a guest sees, and the dimmer lets you leave it on low through the evening.

Hotels, restaurants and lounges. Uovo is a natural fit for guest-room nightstands, reception desks, bar back-shelves and lounge side tables. It plugs into a standard outlet, so it can be specified across many rooms without electrical work, and three sizes let one design run from bedside to lobby.

Style and pairing

Ben Swildens drew Uovo in 1972, and its pure oval form has kept it at home in very different rooms. In Minimalist and Scandinavian interiors it echoes plaster walls, pale oak and linen. In a Modern or Contemporary scheme it softens black metal, glass and graphic prints. Its 1970s origin also suits Retro rooms with travertine, walnut and curved upholstery. Pair it with matte ceramics, books and natural stone; avoid crowding it with other glossy glass so its satin surface stands out.

Why choose Uovo

• A design icon from 1972, still made by FontanaArte in Milan.
• Three sizes, from bedside to statement, all in the same form.
• Dimmer on the cord for every size.
• Standard E26 bulb, so you set the colour temperature and output.
• Glowing satin glass gives glare-free ambient light.

Care

Unplug the lamp and let the bulb cool before cleaning. Wipe the glass with a soft cloth, slightly damp if needed, then dry it. Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents, which can mark the satin finish. Lift the glass by its body, not the base, and handle it with care when changing the bulb. For dry indoor locations only.

Frequently asked questions

Which Uovo size should I choose for a nightstand? The medium (17.3 in) suits most nightstands of 18 to 24 in. Choose the small (11 in) for very narrow tables or shelves.

Can I use the large Uovo on the floor? Yes, the 24.4 in large size has enough presence to sit on the floor beside a chair or in a corner as a glowing accent.

What bulb does Uovo take? One E26 bulb in every size, with a maximum of 30W for the small, 70W for the medium and 100W for the large. The bulb is not included.

Does it come with a dimmer? Yes, every size has a dimmer included on the cord.

Which colour temperature works best? A warm 2700K LED bulb gives the classic soft glow; a 3000K bulb looks slightly crisper in white or grey rooms.

Does it need installation? No. It plugs into a standard outlet and works at 110 V.

Can I mix sizes? Yes. Grouping two or three sizes on a sideboard or in a corner is one of the most effective ways to style Uovo.

Is Uovo suitable for a bathroom or outdoors? No. It is rated IP20 for dry indoor rooms. For outdoor or terrace use, the cordless Uovo Portable version is rated IP54.

Is it a good choice for hotel rooms? Yes. It is plug-in, dimmable and available in three sizes, which makes it easy to specify for nightstands, desks and lobbies.

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

What is the base made of? White painted metal, under a white satin blown-glass shell.

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.