Alchemie Table Lamp
Made by Catellani & Smith
Designed by Giulia Archimede
Designed by Giulia Archimede in collaboration with the Catellani & Smith Product Development Team, Alchemie draws from the oldest of contrasts: light against dark, sun against moon. Two opposing discs define the piece. One is a fixed alabaster diffuser, illuminated from within by a high-CRI LED strip. The other is a polished brass disc that slides by hand along a base of Medea limestone.
The act of moving the brass disc is itself the design. As it travels across the glowing alabaster, light and shadow redistribute in slow, quiet succession, reaching their most arresting state when the two discs converge in an eclipse-like overlap. The gesture is minimal; the effect is theatrical.
- Materials: brass structure and details, Medea limestone base, alabaster diffuser
- Light source: 12W LED strip, 1300 lumens, 3000K color temperature, CRI greater than 95
- Includes plug driver and dimmer
- Designed and made in Italy
Catellani & Smith has practiced a form of artisanal lighting design in Grassobbio, near Bergamo, since 1989. The atelier is known for working with raw, often unexpected materials, treating each lamp as an object of craft rather than a product of manufacture. Alchemie continues that sensibility, finding its power not in a switch, but in the slow passage of one material across another.
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Alchemie Table Lamp
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are used in the Alchemie table lamp?
The Alchemie lamp is constructed from a brass structure, a Medea limestone base, and an alabaster diffuser. Each material is chosen for the way it interacts with light: the alabaster glows from within, while the polished brass slides across its surface to modulate shadow.
How does the Alchemie lamp's dimming mechanism work?
The lamp includes a plug-in driver with a dimmer, allowing the LED output to be adjusted electrically. The more distinctive control, however, is physical: the brass disc is moved by hand along the limestone base, shifting the proportion of light to shadow across the alabaster diffuser.
Who is designer Giulia Archimede?
Giulia Archimede is an Italian designer who has collaborated with Catellani & Smith on objects that foreground material dialogue and sculptural form. Her work tends toward restraint, allowing the properties of chosen materials to carry expressive weight.
What is Medea limestone and why is it used?
Medea is a naturally occurring limestone prized for its dense, matte surface and warm neutral tone. In the Alchemie lamp, it serves as the base along which the brass disc travels, providing both a tactile counterpoint to the polished brass and a visual anchor for the composition.
Is the Alchemie lamp made to order?
Yes, the Alchemie table lamp is a made-to-order piece, produced by Catellani & Smith in Italy. Lead times should be confirmed at the time of inquiry, particularly for projects with defined installation schedules.