Few lights get people talking quite like Seletti's Monkey lights. Designed by Marcantonio, they come as individual lamps in black or white and as a full chandelier. This guide explains the differences between them and gives practical ideas for styling them around your home.
The Monkey Light: one monkey, six poses
Each Monkey Light is a resin monkey holding a light bulb. Marcantonio's design is meant as a theatrical statement in which art, design and nature blend together, and it is as much a sculpture as it is a lamp.
There are six poses to choose from: Sitting, Standing, Hanging, Swinging, and Climbing Left or Right. That variety is what makes the lights so much fun to style. A Sitting or Standing monkey works on a sideboard, shelf or bedside table, while the Hanging and Swinging poses bring movement to a ceiling or a high spot. The two Climbing versions face opposite ways, so a pair can mirror one another either side of a mirror, a doorway or a bed.
Black or white?
The Monkey Light Black has a graphic, dramatic look. It stands out strongly against pale walls, light timber and white-painted shelving, and feels at home in a moody, eclectic scheme alongside dark paint and brass.
The Monkey Light White is softer and more sculptural, almost like a plaster cast. It suits bright, minimal rooms and looks lovely in front of a dark wall, where it reads like a little statue. If you are unsure, think about the wall behind it: choose the colour that contrasts, and the silhouette will do the work.
Grouping Monkey lights
The lamps look striking alone, but they really come into their own in a playful group. A few ideas:
- A troop on the move: line up a Climbing, Standing and Sitting monkey along a long shelf so they seem to be travelling across it.
- Mirror pairs: use Climbing Left and Climbing Right either side of a fireplace or console table for a symmetrical arrangement with a sense of humour.
- Up and down: combine a Hanging monkey above with a Sitting monkey below to draw the eye through the height of a room.
Mixing black and white monkeys in one group can work too, especially if you repeat both colours elsewhere in the room, for example in a striped rug or a black and white print.
The Monkey Chandelier
For something even bigger, the Monkey Chandelier has three little monkeys by Marcantonio taking over an entire chandelier, swinging from its arms in an unconventional twist on a classic design. Made from resin, it measures 105cm x 80cm x 80cm and comes in black or white.
It is a showstopping centrepiece for a dining room, hallway or living room. Some practical points:
- Dining room: centre it over the table, where the 80cm width suits a generous table and everyone can enjoy it from their seats.
- Hallway: a tall entrance or stairwell gives the chandelier room to breathe and makes a memorable first impression.
- Living room: keep the rest of the lighting quieter, with simple lamps, so the chandelier stays the star.
Because it is such a strong piece, it pays to measure your ceiling height and table size before you buy, and to keep surrounding decoration fairly simple.
Pairing the chandelier and lamps
If you love the look, the chandelier and lamps can work together as a set. A Monkey Chandelier over a dining table with a single Sitting Monkey Light on the sideboard creates a fun echo across the room without overdoing it. Stick to one colour for a coordinated look, or use the opposite colour for the smaller lamp to add contrast.
Browse every pose and colour in our Seletti Monkey lights collection, explore more of Marcantonio's work in the Marcantonio collection, or visit the shop in Somerset and let the team help you plan your own troop.
