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Description
Designed in 1969 by Àngel Jové and Santiago Roqueta, Zeleste was created for Sala Zeleste, a Barcelona music and cultural venue. Beyond the room’s velvet entrance curtain, repeated alabaster lamps helped unify an interior assembled from an eclectic mix of furniture. The lamp retained the venue’s name when it entered production.
Its use of alabaster was deliberately unconventional. During the 1970s, the material was commonly associated with tourist souvenirs and decorative objects rather than contemporary lighting. Jové and Roqueta used its natural translucency to create a substantial lamp illuminated from within.
Each Zeleste is hand-carved by artisans in Sarral, Spain. The lower section remains solid, giving the lamp its considerable 19.8-pound weight, while the upper section is hollowed so light can pass through the stone. Veins, cloudy areas, color changes, and differences in opacity make every lamp distinct.
When illuminated, the alabaster softens the bulb and reveals patterns within the material. The result is diffuse ambient light rather than a concentrated reading or task beam. Measuring 16.5 inches high and 8.7 inches in diameter, Zeleste works well on a console, side table, substantial nightstand, low cabinet, or reception desk. Its weight requires a stable supporting surface.
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