Saturno Table Lamp by Kazuo Motozawa for Staff Leuchten (1970s)
Kazuo Motozawa (1945–) was born in Saitama, Japan, and graduated from the Musashino Junior College Craft and Industrial Design Department in 1968. Shortly after, he began designing lamps for the prestigious Japanese manufacturer Yamagiwa. In 1971, his Saturn collection received the iF Design Award, celebrating his talent for combining sculptural form with technical innovation.
The Saturno table lamp is one of his most iconic and rare creations. This version, produced in the mid-1970s by Staff Leuchten in Germany, features a chromed metal body with a white-lacquered interior, set upon a round base. The shade is composed of chromed metal slats arranged in concentric rings, evoking the planetary orbits of Saturn. When lit, the lamp diffuses light between the slats to create a warm, atmospheric glow, combining functional lighting with a futuristic, sculptural presence.
The collaboration with Staff Leuchten was significant, as this German manufacturer was among the leading lighting companies of the era. By the mid-1970s, the Saturno collection had gained an international audience, making it a symbol of 1970s lighting design.
This example is very rare and in very good original condition, with one of the rings showing a very light bend and minor corrosion on the metal. A highly sought-after collector’s item, the Saturno lamp remains one of Motozawa’s most celebrated designs — a timeless icon that captures the spirit of modernist lighting.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsSilverMaterialMetalNumber of items1BrandStaff LeuchtenHeight30 cmWidth33 cmDepth33 cmSigns of usageScratches