Italian Modernist Glass Cube Lamp – One-of-a-Kind Gamma3 Prototype (c. 1970s)

A tactile design object that blurs the line between sculpture and light source.

This one-of-a-kind prototype table lamp, sourced in Italy, is attributed to Gamma3 Illuminazione, a forward-thinking lighting studio based in Due Carrare near Padua, active primarily during the 1970s and early 1980s. While documentation of their catalogue is scarce, Gamma3 was known for its experimental spirit and collaborations with Gammadeltagroup S.R.L., their technical fabrication partner.

Their collaborative legacy includes showroom concepts, limited-run experimental pieces, and connections to design giants like Flos, LucePlan, and Foscarini—positioning Gamma3 within the vibrant innovation landscape of Italian lighting design.

This particular lamp consists of a solid optical glass cube set on a chrome-plated metal base. The light is activated by pressing the cube downward, creating a unique tactile interaction that blends mechanical simplicity with sculptural clarity. Once illuminated, it emits an ambient glow that refracts subtly through the cube’s dense volume.

Its aesthetic language recalls the conceptual rigor of Joe Colombo, the playful material sensibility of Gae Aulenti, and the functional minimalism of Luciano Bertoncini’s modular systems. Though unattributed, the lamp resonates strongly with the radical Italian design movement of the 1970s, where experimentation with form and user engagement defined a new era of domestic lighting.

There is no label or branding, but the piece was acquired from a trusted Italian source who identified it as a Gamma3 prototype. The fact that the base heats up after extended use further supports its non-commercial status—likely an early-stage concept or display model, never intended for full production.

A compelling object for lovers of postmodern lighting, interactive sculpture, or Italian design history, this lamp is more than a light source—it's a glowing artifact of an innovative moment in 20th-century design.