Vintage Blue Dedalino Pencil Holder by Emma Gismondi for Artemide, c. 1970s

An original vintage Dedalino pencil holder designed by Emma Gismondi Schweinberger for Artemide.

Made from vivid translucent blue plastic and preserved with its original branded box, it is a distinctive example of Italian Space Age desk design.

Description

The piece

Designed in 1966 by Emma Gismondi Schweinberger, the Dedalino transformed an everyday desk accessory into a compact sculptural object.

This vintage example was produced by Artemide in deep translucent blue plastic. Its rounded body incorporates several openings for pencils, pens and other small desk implements, combining practical organisation with the playful use of colour and moulded plastic characteristic of post-war Italian design.

The Artemide name is printed on the piece, providing clear attribution. Its original branded box and protective wrapping have also been preserved.

Where it works best

Compact and visually distinctive, the Dedalino works beautifully on a writing desk, home-office shelf or bookcase.

Its saturated translucent blue adds a strong but controlled accent to contemporary interiors and pairs particularly well with vintage stationery, Italian lighting and other examples of twentieth-century plastic design.

Technical details

·       Designer: Emma Gismondi Schweinberger

·       Model: Dedalino

·       Manufacturer: Artemide

·       Country of origin: Italy

·       Date: c. 1970s

·       Design introduced: 1966

·       Material: Translucent moulded plastic

·       Colour: Deep blue

·       Dimensions: Approx. 10 cm high × 10 cm diameter (3.9 in × 3.9 in)

·       Attribution: Artemide name printed on the piece

·       Packaging: Original Artemide box and protective wrapping included

Condition

Very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use.

The original box and wrapping are preserved and show some age-related storage wear.

Please refer to the photographs for a detailed view of the piece and its packaging.

A practical desk object with the colour, optimism and formal clarity characteristic of Italian Space Age design.