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Foscarini began in 1981 on Murano, the glassmaking island in the Venetian lagoon. It soon outgrew glass alone. Today the Italian company describes itself as an idea factory, working with international designers and choosing whatever material best serves each concept.

That freedom has produced an unusually diverse catalogue. Foscarini makes pendants, floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights in satin-finished glass, Kevlar, carbon fibre and high-performance resins, sometimes combining industrial techniques and traditional craft in a single piece. Many of its lamps have a strong sculptural presence even when switched off, and once lit they cast distinctive patterns or glows that change the feel of a room. Foscarini believes a lamp should provoke a reaction, not just provide light, and its designs tend to be bold, colourful and expressive. Hung low over a table or set in a quiet corner, a Foscarini lamp brings personality and a clear point of view.