The mushroom lamp — the round glass table lamp with shade and base in one form — was born on Murano in the late 1960s. It's one of the most immediately recognisable silhouettes in Italian mid-century design, and it's had a wild comeback in the last five years.
Where it comes from
The first mushroom lamps from Murano were made at workshops like Vetri, Vistosi and Mazzega in the late 60s. They fit perfectly into the era's aesthetic: soft shapes, organic colours, the post-war Italian mod feeling. At the same time, the French designer Pierre Cardin was making similar shapes in metal, and Denmark's Verner Panton was working in plastic. The Murano glass version quickly became the one collectors looked for.
How they're made
A classic Murano mushroom consists of two parts: a hollow base and a domed shade, both mouth-blown. The light sits inside the base and shines up through the shade. The glass is often swirl-patterned — two colours twisted together — or "candy" with coloured spots inlaid.
The hard part of making them is that base and shade have to fit precisely. Every lamp is slightly different from the next — that's part of the charm, but it's also why you have to be careful when buying: if the base and shade don't match in size or colour, it's probably two different lamps put together.
Why they're popular now
The mushroom lamp went out of fashion from the 80s until around 2018. Then interior Instagram rediscovered it — first at vintage shops in New York and London, then Paris, then Copenhagen. Today a good vintage Murano mushroom is one of the most sought-after pieces in the whole 70s revival.
What you should pay
Prices vary wildly. A small mushroom (under 25 cm) in classic swirl typically costs €200-400 in good condition. Large mega-mushrooms (40 cm+) can hit €800-1,600 and more. Signed pieces by Vistosi or Mazzega sit higher.
At the flea market we still find them — rarely, but it happens. It's part of why we do this. When we find a mushroom at half retail, we can pass it on at a price where you can actually treat yourself.
