The FontanaArte Table Lamp Fontana 1853 , designed in 1954 by Max Ingrand, sits at the heart of the brand’s lighting collection. Originally known as 1853, a name still used by those familiar with its history, it’s a piece that defines the classic glass table lamp without trying too hard. Compared to other models in the range, this is the one people tend to come back to, largely because of its balanced proportions and the way it handles light.

The lamp is made entirely from satin white blown glass, used for both the shade and the base. There’s a softness to the finish that diffuses light evenly, rather than casting anything too direct. What sets it apart is the dual lighting setup, with light sources in both the shade and the base. You can switch them independently, which gives a bit more control than you might expect, from a low background glow through to something brighter for reading.

It works well in quieter corners of a room. On a bedside table it feels calm and unobtrusive, while in a living space it adds a gentle layer of light without taking over. The three size options make it easy to scale depending on where it’s going. It’s a familiar design, but not in a tired way, and one we’ve specified often enough to understand how it performs day to day.