Taraxacum Pendant attributed to Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s

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About This Piece

Vintage Design

Elevate your architectural project with a true luminous sculpture. The majestic Taraxacum pendant, a 1960s Castiglioni masterpiece by Flos, diffuses an enveloping light through its iconic "cocoon" resin. An absolute Mid-Century icon that transcends its primary function. You need this masterpiece.

Product

For exceptional interiors requiring a centerpiece with a strong historical dimension, Les Merciers gallery presents this rare and spectacular "Taraxacum" pendant. Designed in the early 1960s by the eminent architects Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, and produced by the legendary Italian manufacturer Flos, this work is a true milestone in 20th-century design history.

The Castiglioni brothers, whose creations are part of the permanent collections of the world's greatest museums (including the MoMA in New York), offer here a masterful reflection on the diffusion of light and organic structure.

The major innovation of the Taraxacum lies in its materiality. The luminaire consists of a complex internal frame made of steel wire, onto which a liquid plastic polymer is sprayed. This synthetic resin, originally developed by the US military to protect equipment after WWII, was introduced to Italy by Arturo Eisenkeil. As it dries, the resin threads intersect and stretch to form a continuous membrane, exactly like a silkworm's cocoon. This translucent "skin," finalized with a matte protective varnish, transforms the metal structure into a visually dynamic sculpture and diffuses a light of unparalleled warmth.

Condition Report and Authenticity :

Acquiring a vintage cocoon lamp requires careful attention to its integrity. This example is in exceptional vintage condition. The resin is perfectly taut, free of any tears, rips, or structural weaknesses. The surface features a superb, uniform, and natural beige patina—an irrefutable signature of its age and authenticity, highly sought after by purists who avoid the clinical whiteness of contemporary re-editions.

Technical Specifications:

Maximum Diameter: 66 cm (26 in)

Sphere Height: 51 cm (20 in)

Total Height: Suspended by an adjustable cord reaching up to 180 cm (70.8 in).

Electrification: Original system verified, fully functional, and compatible with both European and US standards (standard E26/E27 socket).

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* The cable of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise.

Creator	Achille Castiglioni
Manufacturer	Flos
Design Period	1960 to 1969
Year	1960
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Italy
Identifying Marks	This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark
Style	Vintage
Detailed Condition	Excellent — This vintage/antique piece is in near original condition. It may show minimal traces of use and/or have slight restorations.
Product Code	NDY-2492456
Restoration and Damage Details	In exceptional vintage condition, the resin remains perfectly taut with no tears or flaws. It boasts a superb, natural beige patina—a mark of true authenticity highly prized by collectors over the clinical white of modern re-editions.
Materials	Steel, Resin
Color	Beige
Height	51 cm 51 cm
Diameter	64 cm

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	France
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Details

Delivery will be completed by a parcel service such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx.
You will receive a tracking number to monitor the status of your shipment.
Delivery will take place between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine the packaging upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damaged packaging, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note, take pictures, and—if the item inside shows damages—contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations regarding damaged packaging represents your acceptance of the completed order in perfect condition.

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Product Safety Information

Additional Product Safety Information	Pre-owned vintage lighting fixture (1960s), model "Taraxacum" designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos. Internal steel frame with an exterior "cocoon" synthetic resin coating. The electrical system has been checked and is fully functional (

About the Maker

Flos

The roots of Italian lighting manufacturing company Flos can be traced to 1959. That is when Arturo Eisenkeil of Merano, Italy, began to look for new applications for a spray-on plastic coating he was importing from the United States. In the early 1960s, Eisenkeil had an auspicious meeting with two designer-entrepreneurs, Cesare Cassina (1909-1979) and Dino Gavina (1922-2007). Cassina was well versed in the vernacular of design, having founded his eponymous manufacturing company—often credited with introducing industrial design to Italy—along with his brother Umberto in 1927. Like Cassina, Gavina was also a design manufacturing impresario, having founded the Dino Gavina company in the 1950s and its subsidiary Gavina SpA in 1960. The three came together to launch Flos in Merano, Italy in 1962.

Flos’s mission was to revolutionize the lighting industry by exploiting new materials, starting with Eisenkeil’s “cocoon floss” polyamide. In the early years of Flos, design was overseen first by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, followed by his brother Achille and Tobia Scarpa, and then Scarpa’s wife, Afra. The resulting products were intriguingly futuristic looking, such as the Castiglionis’ Viscontea Lamp (1960), Taraxacum Chandelier (1960), and Gato Table Light (1960), as well as the Scarpas’ Fantasma Floor Lamp (1960s). The effect of the cocoon allowed for a soft, ambient glow.

Other signature Flos pieces include the classic Arco Lamp (1962) by the Castiglioni brothers; the Parentesi Lamp (1971) by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu, which was the first piece in the Flos collection to receive the Compasso d’Oro Award in 1979; the shaded Romeo Moon Table Lamp (1995) and Archimoon Soft Task Lamp (1998) by Philippe Starck; the portable work light May Day (1999) by Konstantin Grcic; and the opal glass Glo-Ball collection (1999) by Jasper Morrison. Other Flos collaborators include Michael Anastassiades, Barber Osgerby, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Antonio Citterio, Ron Gilad, Marco Pezzolo, Paolo Rizzatto, Marc Sadler, Patricia Urquiola, Marcel Wanders, and Sebastian Wrong.

In 1964, the company moved to Brescia under the direction of Sergio Gandini. In the 1970s, Flos bought Arteluce, a well-known lighting manufacturer formerly led by Gino Sarfatti. In 1999, Gandini passed away, leaving Flos to his son Piero. In 2005, Flos acquired the Spanish architectural lighting brand Antares. In 2014, a significant portion of the company was sold to Investindustrial, which continues to support CEO Piero Gandini and Flos. Today, Flos offers a range of residential, commercial, and custom-made lighting products.

An ongoing dedication to innovation has ensured Flos a place in design history. Additionally, the brand continues to reap accolades for its collaborative legacy, working with iconic, award-winning designers. Flos designs can be found in museums around the world, including the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York and the Triennale Design Museum in Milan.