Few designers make lighting quite as much fun as Marcantonio. In this guide we look at his animal lights for Seletti and Qeeboo, the furniture he has designed for both brands, and how to give these characterful pieces the right spot at home.
Who is Marcantonio?
Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba is an Italian designer whose work keeps returning to the natural world. In his own words: "I find truth in nature: animals, plants… Nature is always unequivocally right." His pieces are often described as a reminder of the unbreakable link between people and nature, and they mix that idea with a good dose of irony.
Animal lights for Seletti
Marcantonio's lamps for Seletti are realistic resin animals holding a light, and they are the pieces most people know him for.
- The White Mouse Lamp is a white resin mouse holding an exposed bulb. It gives a gentle glow, so it works as a reading light, a nursery night light or simply a curious object on a shelf. It was designed as part of a set of three, so it looks lovely grouped with its companions.
- The Sparrow Table Lamp is a white resin sparrow holding a slender stem with a tiny bulb. The 1m stem looks like a flexible cable but is a bendable steel rod, so you can twist it into swirling shapes over a desk, shelf or bedside table.
- The Peacock Lamp is a larger, intricately detailed resin peacock, measuring 100cm x 29cm x 69cm, holding an elegant light. It is dimmable and comes with a bulb, and it brings a touch of theatre to a hallway, living room or bedroom.
Marcantonio's Dreamlike lamp for Seletti takes a gentler route: a little house in natural concrete topped with an opalescent glass sphere that glows like the moon.
Giraffe in Love for Qeeboo
Marcantonio's best-known design for Qeeboo is Giraffe in Love, a giraffe holding a classic Marie-Therese style chandelier in its mouth. The idea is irony and lightness: "the giraffe is in love, but she does not know it yet because her heart is far from her head".
It comes in several sizes, so it suits more homes than you might expect:
- The table-top Giraffe In Love Chandelier is the easiest way in, and it makes a real talking point on a console or sideboard.
- The Giraffe In Love Wall Lamp comes with a metal support for hanging on the wall.
- The Giraffe In Love M Indoor stands 265cm tall, ideal for a grand hallway, stairwell or double-height living room.
- The XL version is the size of an authentic young giraffe, at four metres high. There are outdoor versions too, and the XL outdoor giraffe's chandelier is wind and water-resistant.
Furniture by Marcantonio
His furniture shares the same playful spirit. For Seletti, the Amanita Stool & Table is a set of giant mushrooms that looks as if it came straight out of an enchanted wood, for a home or garden. The Botanical Diva Armchair has sensual, comfortable curves covered in an ironic floral pattern that mixes 1950s taste with a touch of frivolity. The Comfy sofa and armchair are built from oversized, generously filled cushions on slim metal legs.
For Qeeboo, the Filicudi range is inspired by the profile of the prickly pear and evokes Mediterranean holidays. The Filicudi Chair Coloured Set of 2 is stackable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with a matching armchair and stool.
How to style his pieces
These are statement designs, so let one take the lead in each room. A Mouse Lamp or Sparrow on a bedside table is a lovely surprise in an otherwise calm bedroom. A Giraffe in Love works best where it has space around it and can be seen from a distance, such as at the foot of a staircase. Pair the Botanical Diva armchair with plain walls and simple side tables so its pattern has room to breathe, and use Amanita or Filicudi to bring a bit of humour to a terrace or kitchen.
Discover more
Browse our full Marcantonio collection to see every light and piece of furniture. If you are wondering which size of giraffe will fit your space, visit us at the shop in Somerset or get in touch with the team for advice.
