Jordi Vilanova

JORDI VILANOVA (Barcelona, 1925-1998).
Floor lamp. Barcelona, 1960's.
Brass and walnut.
Parchment lampshade.
Measurements: 177 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm.

Floor lamp designed in the sixties by the interior designer Jordi Vilanova i Bosch. From a thin circular brass base, it emerges a shaft also circular of walnut wood combined with brass details in the form of a ring. It is crowned by a large parchment lampshade with a beautiful patina that gives a warm and welcoming light. It is a clear exponent of the modern and representative style that Vilanova used in many of his designs. A great admirer of Nordic design, Vilanova defended functionality, simplicity and clean lines. He could be described as a modern classic, as is evident in this lamp.

Catalan interior designer and cabinetmaker, Jordi Vilanova enrolled in 1939 at the Escuela de Trabajo y Oficios Artísticos de la Lonja. He completed his training in the workshop of Busquets, and between 1940 and 1953 he collaborated in the studio of Lluís Gili. Jordi Vilanova was founder and promoter of the Catalan art magazine "Questions d'Art" (1967-74). In 1974 he opened premises with a permanent exhibition of furniture and upholstery of his own design, forming part of the Official College of Interior Decorators and Designers of Barcelona and the SAD. His modern furniture and his way of resolving spaces were initially aimed at a large public of scarce economic resources and, consequently, homes with less living space. However, this great majority did not understand his proposal. Instead, it was the Catalan bourgeoisie, eager to break with outdated stylistic canons, who embraced his work. His specialty was furniture for children, such as the Delta stool, which won the Delta de Plata Prize awarded by the ADI/FAD in 1964. He held exhibitions of his work in Scandinavia. Among his most representative designs are the Tiracord and Billar chairs (1961), the Montseny MP bunk bed (1961), the Tartera (1966) and Petit (1978) rockers and the Z magazine rack (1987) designed with his son Pau Vilanova Vila-Abadal. It is currently represented in the Design Museum of Barcelona.