The 10 Most Iconic Lights of All Time

Some lighting designs do far more than illuminate a room—they define an era.

Over the past century, a handful of luminaires have transcended trends to become true works of art. Designed by some of the world’s greatest architects and industrial designers, these pieces continue to influence contemporary interiors and are found in luxury homes, hotels, galleries and museums across the globe.

At Cobinlight, we believe exceptional lighting should be timeless. These ten iconic designs have earned their place in history, not simply because they are beautiful, but because they changed the way we think about light.

1. Flos 2097

Designed by Gino Sarfatti (1958)

Arguably the world’s most recognisable modern chandelier, the Flos 2097 completely reimagined what a chandelier could be.

Rather than hiding its structure behind crystal and ornamentation, Gino Sarfatti celebrated the engineering itself. Exposed wiring, slender arms and perfectly balanced proportions created a design that remains as contemporary today as it did over 65 years ago.

Best known for:

• Exposed structure

• Architectural elegance

• Timeless Italian design

2. Flos Arco

Designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1962)

The Arco solved a problem that had never really been addressed.

How do you suspend light over a table without installing a ceiling pendant?

The answer was brilliantly simple: an elegant stainless-steel arch supported by a solid Carrara marble base.

Today, it remains one of the most famous floor lamps ever created and a symbol of Italian industrial design.

3. Artemide Tolomeo

Designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina (1987)

Few desk lamps have become as influential as the Tolomeo.

Its ingenious spring-balanced arm allows effortless adjustment while maintaining a clean, elegant appearance.

Whether in architectural studios, executive offices or contemporary homes, it has become the benchmark for task lighting.

4. Louis Poulsen PH5

Designed by Poul Henningsen (1958)

Designed to eliminate glare completely, the PH5 uses multiple carefully calculated shades to distribute light evenly.

Its layered construction provides beautiful illumination while concealing the light source itself.

It remains one of Scandinavia’s greatest lighting achievements.

5. Flos Snoopy

Designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1967)

With its playful silhouette inspired by the famous cartoon character, the Snoopy lamp perfectly balances personality with sophisticated design.

Its enamelled metal shade and white marble base have made it a favourite among collectors and interior designers alike.

6. Foscarini Caboche

Designed by Patricia Urquiola & Eliana Gerotto (2005)

Inspired by jewellery and sparkling bracelets, the Caboche transformed decorative lighting into sculpture.

Hundreds of transparent spheres diffuse and refract light, creating remarkable brilliance while maintaining an elegant, contemporary appearance.

It’s proof that modern lighting can be both technical and glamorous.

7. Flos IC Lights

Designed by Michael Anastassiades (2014)

Few contemporary lights have achieved icon status as quickly as the IC collection.

A delicate opal glass sphere appears to balance effortlessly on a slender metal frame, inspired by the graceful movement of a juggler balancing a ball.

Minimal yet striking, the collection has become a favourite in luxury residential and hospitality projects worldwide.

8. Oluce Atollo

Designed by Vico Magistretti (1977)

Winner of the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Award, the Atollo reduced a table lamp to three simple geometric forms:

A cylinder.

A cone.

A hemisphere.

The result is one of the purest expressions of modern Italian design ever created.

9. Anglepoise Original 1227

Designed by George Carwardine (1935)

Originally developed for industrial use, the Original 1227 introduced the now-famous spring-balanced arm that revolutionised adjustable lighting.

Its engineering has inspired countless lamps over the decades and remains instantly recognisable today.

A true design classic.

10. Moooi Raimond

Designed by Raimond Puts

The Raimond suspension light looks less like a luminaire and more like a glowing constellation.

Constructed from precision-engineered stainless-steel spheres, each illuminated by tiny LEDs, it creates a spectacular floating sculpture that transforms large architectural spaces.

It has become one of the defining statement pieces of modern luxury interiors.

What Makes a Light Truly Iconic?

While these luminaires differ in style, they all share a few important characteristics.

They introduced new ways of thinking.

They combined engineering with artistry.

They remain relevant decades after their launch.

And perhaps most importantly, they continue to inspire new generations of architects, designers and manufacturers.

True design never follows trends—it outlives them.

Investing in Timeless Design

An iconic luminaire is more than a light fitting.

It becomes part of the architecture.

It tells a story.

It often becomes an heirloom, appreciated for generations rather than replaced every few years.

Whether suspended above a dining table, positioned in a double-volume entrance or showcased in a luxury hotel, these pieces demonstrate how exceptional lighting can define an entire space.

Discover Design Icons at Cobinlight

At Cobinlight, we carefully curate some of the world’s most celebrated lighting brands, bringing internationally recognised design classics to South African homes and commercial projects.

Whether you’re searching for a timeless Italian masterpiece or a contemporary architectural statement, our team can help you find lighting that not only complements your space but becomes part of its legacy.

Because great lighting doesn’t simply illuminate a room.

It becomes part of design history.