Dezeen Magazine

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta of Fabrica for Seletti

Maison&Objet 2013: Italian designer Valentina Carretta of Fabrica made these hanging lamps for Italian brand Seletti from coarse paper like the kind used in egg boxes.

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta for Seletti

Valentina Carretta of design studio Fabrica's Egg of Columbus lamps come in three sizes and combine a shade made of moisture-resistant recycled paper with a ceramic lamp holder and a red fabric cord.

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta for Seletti

The lamp's name refers to the story of how explorer Christopher Columbus challenged his detractors to make an egg stand on its tip. When they gave up, he did it himself by tapping the egg on a table to flatten its tip, demonstrating how a brilliant idea can seem easy once you know how it's done.

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta for Seletti

Made for Italian design brand Seletti, the lamp was shown at Maison&Objet design fair in Paris last week, where we also reported on a family of terracotta pots with rubber lids and cutlery with slim handles like chopsticks – see all products from Maison&Objet 2013.

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta for Seletti

We previously published a lamp with a paper pulp shade that doubles as packaging for the product's components.

Egg of Columbus by Valentina Carretta for Seletti

Lots of products made of paper have featured on Dezeen, including a crumpled paper stage set for an opera and bowls made from shredded banknotes – see all designs made from paper.

Other lamps we've featured lately include architect Frank Gehry's scaly fish lamps and a lamp made from two pieces of ceramic joined by a silicone band – see all lamps on Dezeen.