Catellani & Smith: hands that shape light

“Our lamps are still made by hand today, in attractive workspaces. They are all made in Italy, on the banks of the Serio River. There is no stress. Every lamp is given all the time it needs to be well made.”
Enzo Catellani

It is in the design of their lamps and in the many ways they shape light that the craftsmanship of Catellani & Smith reveals its value—an ancient appeal, an invitation to rediscover the beauty and authenticity of the (im)perfection of the human gesture that creates unique objects.

Each lamp is crafted in the workshop along the Serio River, near Bergamo, through artisanal manufacturing processes that lie at the heart of the brand’s identity. Here, intuition becomes experimentation: materials and components become the elements of an orchestra guided by technological innovation into a harmonious process that enhances the quality and beauty of handmade objects, made with the time it takes.

Every lamp requires patience and time, without compromise and without shortcuts. The result is a collection of unique pieces, where no two are ever identical. Subtle irregularities are not flaws, but signs of authenticity—tangible evidence of the skill and dedication of Catellani & Smith’s artisans.

Skilled hands give shape to light: with precise gestures they model the spheroidal brass structure of the new Pòta! series and integrate an innovative handmade light source in which glass and brass combine with LED filament technology. With the same care, artisans apply delicate golden- coloured leaf—one of Catellani & Smith’s most distinctive signatures—on the surface of numerous models such as Lederam, Macchina della Luce, Luna Piena, and Bellatrix. Equally meticulous is the hand-painting of other lamps, such as the slender rings of Sorry Giotto or the pieces of the PostKrisi collection.

At every stage of production, attention to detail guides the hand of the craftsman, right up to the final packaging, when each piece is sealed with the Catellani & Smith stamp—a symbol of authenticity and excellence.
In a world where everything seems uniform and standardized, Catellani & Smith reaffirms the value of craftsmanship. Each handmade lighting object has a story to tell, a soul revealed through the (im)perfections that make it unique.

 

Ph. Nava Rapacchietta
Press Office: Cavalleri Comunicazione info@cavalleri.com