The history of Martinelli Luce began in the 1940s with an electrical installation shop in the centre of Lucca. Its owner, Plinio Martinelli, established the business, and his son Elio, then a student of stage design and interior design, recognised its potential for stylistic evolution within the world of lighting design.

Driven by a clear vision and a desire for creative independence, Elio began designing lamps in the 1950s, characterised by essential geometric forms inspired by nature and functionality, with particular attention to the use of innovative materials such as methacrylate. Examples include his Bolla, Poliedro, Cobra and Serpente lamps, whose style, partly anthropomorphic and partly futuristic, brings art and technology together in a harmonious whole.

In a short time, Martinelli Luce succeeded in developing a product range characterised by high functional performance, understated yet striking forms and extraordinary innovative potential. This attracted the attention of industry experts and, in 1966, earned the company an invitation from architect Giò Ponti to participate in Eurodomus.

During the same period, Martinelli Luce brought numerous other iconic lamps to market, including Gae Aulenti’s Pipistrello, a tribute to Art Nouveau design, Sergio Asti’s Profiterolle and Elmetto, one of Elio Martinelli’s final expressions of creative flair.

By 1987, Martinelli Luce had established itself as a solid international manufacturing company, with a catalogue featuring a wide range of table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights and pendant lamps. Elio Martinelli’s artistic direction and creative vision remained clearly evident, alongside the company’s lighting expertise, which continues to be one of the brand’s founding principles today. This heritage is reflected in spotlights such as Calabrone, designed by Emiliana Martinelli, Elio’s daughter and the current head of the company.

Through its creations, Martinelli Luce continues to pursue its creative vision in lighting design, introducing innovative pieces such as Bionica Pol, Colibrì and many other designs that combine eclectic style with functionality. The company also collaborates with other prominent designers in the field, including Sergio Asti, Brian Sironi, Karim Rashid and Paola Navone.

In recent years, Martinelli Luce has significantly diversified its catalogue, placing greater emphasis on the design-oriented aspects of its business and establishing numerous collaborations that highlight the company’s technological advancements.

Grammoluce by Min Dong perfectly exemplifies this approach, featuring a dimmable lamp whose mechanism relies not on buttons or pressure controls, but on a genuine counterweight system operated by spheres of different sizes placed on an elastic surface.

Other prominent names associated with the brand include Gianfranco Rollo, Marta Sansoni, Antonio De Marco, Studio Natural, Simon Schmitz and Peluffo&Partners, whose remarkable creations continue to inspire admiration and curiosity around the world.