About Calabarte Lamps
The Gourd
The gourd is a tropical vine native to Africa and Asia. Its dried, lignified fruit has been used for centuries — both decoratively and practically. As a product of nature, each one is entirely unique.
Unlike traditional wood, the structure of a dried gourd is more homogeneous. It contains no growth rings, knots, or fibers, which offers exceptional possibilities for carving.
When light passes through its thin shell, it takes on a warm, reddish glow.
For many years, I have used gourds from Senegal, Guinea, and Mali — selected for their excellent quality and beautiful shapes.
More recently, I’ve started using Polish-grown gourds (from Oh My Gourds) as well — and they have turned out to be the best I’ve ever worked with in terms of shape, structure and quality.
One of a kind
In a world of mass production, I choose to go the other way.
Calabarte lamps are created for people who value passion, craftsmanship, and individuality.
Each lamp is unique — designed and made entirely by hand.
I never repeat my designs, so every owner can be sure that no other lamp like theirs exists anywhere in the world.
No shortcuts
Each Calabarte lampshade is crafted entirely by me — from the first sketch to the final polish. I draw each pattern with mathematical precision, then carve the design in darkness using high-speed air turbines and dental tools. The outer surface of the gourd is hand-sanded down to less than 1 mm in thickness — a delicate and time-consuming process.
Depending on the project, I may drill up to 30,000 tiny holes, each placed with care to achieve the intended light pattern.
Creating a single lamp usually takes between 2 and 6 months of focused, detailed work — always without compromise.
Beauty and harmony
My background combines artistic instinct with a scientific mindset — which fuels my fascination with geometry, order, and rhythm.
Complex, intricate, and often fractal-like designs are among the most defining features of Calabarte lamps. They are not only decorative — they are structured to create harmony in both light and form.
Progress in craft
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” − Ralph Waldo Emerson
Over the years, I’ve taken this craft to levels that didn’t exist before — but I still push myself to go further.
The continuous evolution of Calabarte lamps has earned growing appreciation around the world. Many people see them not only as functional art, but also as valuable collectibles and investments.
The art of light
In daylight, a Calabarte lamp is a striking sculptural object.
At night, it comes to life — light seeps through the carved gourd and its thousands of tiny holes, casting intricate shadows that fill the room.
These patterns transform the space: romantic and dreamlike in a bedroom, calm and meditative in a study or living room.
Homo Faber Guide
Calabarte is also a member of the Homo Faber Guide – a project by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.
Cirvinea floor lamp was part of the Homo Faber Event 2022 — an international cultural exhibition in Venice.
From China to the USA
Beyond countless online features, Calabarte lamps have also appeared in print magazines in the USA, Morocco, Israel, China, Malaysia, Jordan, and more.