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This 5-foot lamp is a supersized tribute to the world’s most iconic pen

Recorded: Jan. 19, 2026, 5:03 p.m.

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This 5-foot lamp is a supersized tribute to the world’s most iconic pen | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.This 5-foot lamp is a supersized tribute to the world’s most iconic penComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechDesignCloseDesignPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DesignGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsThis 5-foot lamp is a supersized tribute to the world’s most iconic penSeletti’s Bic Lamp can be hung from the ceiling, mounted to a wall, or used as a standing floor lamp.Seletti’s Bic Lamp can be hung from the ceiling, mounted to a wall, or used as a standing floor lamp.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiJan 19, 2026, 2:47 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.The Bic Lamp can be hung, mounted, or used as a vertical standing lamp. Image: SelettiAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.Seletti, an Italian design brand known for everything from furniture to tableware, has debuted an unusual tribute to an icon of design: the Bic Cristal pen. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Seletti has supersized the pen and replaced its ink cartridge with a long LED-filled tube to illuminate your living room, office, or that closet where they keep all the stationery at work.The Bic Lamp, as it’s simply called, was introduced at the 2026 Maison&Objet show in Paris – think CES, but for interior designers. Seletti says it was created at a 12:1 scale, which makes it just shy of six feet long given the Bic Cristal pen typically measures around 5.8 inches with its cap. Aside from its larger dimensions and the LED tube producing up 2,400 lumens of light, the Bic Lamp is a near identical clone, in red, black, and blue color options.PreviousNext1/4The Bic Lamp will be available in red, black, and blue color options with a matching 10-foot power cord. Image: SelettiYou can hang it from a ceiling as a pendant lamp but Mario Paroli also designed the Bic Lamp to mount to a wall or stand alone as a floor lamp. It will launch in the US later this year where it’s expected to cost $350, according to Fast Company.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiDesignCloseDesignPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DesignGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularDisney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the repliesWhy Coinbase derailed the crypto industry’s political futureUnder Musk, the Grok disaster was inevitableThe LG C5 and Apple’s M4 Mac Mini are both steeply discounted this weekendMicrosoft’s first Windows 11 update of 2026 stopped some computers from shutting downThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Seletti, an Italian design brand renowned for its innovative approach to furniture and tableware, has unveiled a striking homage to one of the world’s most recognizable objects: the Bic Cristal pen. The result is the Bic Lamp, a 5-foot-tall illuminated installation that reimagines the iconic pen’s design on an unprecedented scale. This creation, unveiled at the 2026 Maison&Objet trade show in Paris—a premier event for interior design professionals—serves as a celebration of the Bic Cristal’s 75th anniversary. The lamp, crafted at a 12:1 ratio relative to the original pen, measures approximately 5.8 inches with its cap, making the scaled-up version just under six feet in length. By transforming the pen’s familiar silhouette into a functional lighting fixture, Seletti bridges the gap between everyday utility and artistic expression, turning a mundane object into a conversation starter. The lamp’s design closely mirrors the Bic Cristal’s aesthetic, retaining its signature red, black, and blue color options, while substituting the pen’s ink cartridge with a long LED tube that emits up to 2,400 lumens of light. This innovation not only highlights the pen’s enduring design but also recontextualizes it within the realm of contemporary interior decor.

The Bic Lamp’s versatility is a central feature of its appeal. Seletti has designed it to function in multiple configurations, allowing users to adapt it to their space. It can be hung from the ceiling as a pendant light, mounted on a wall, or stand independently as a floor lamp. This adaptability underscores the brand’s commitment to merging form and function, ensuring the piece fits seamlessly into diverse environments. The lamp’s 10-foot power cord further enhances its flexibility, enabling placement in areas where traditional lighting might be impractical. While the exact mechanisms of its construction remain unspecified, the use of an LED tube suggests a focus on energy efficiency and modern technology. The design’s emphasis on scale and materiality—replacing the pen’s plastic body with a durable, illuminated structure—reflects Seletti’s reputation for pushing boundaries in design. By maintaining the Bic Cristal’s minimalist lines and color palette, the lamp preserves the pen’s iconic identity while expanding its purpose beyond writing.

The project also raises intriguing questions about the intersection of commercial products and artistic reinterpretation. The Bic Cristal, a staple of office supplies since its introduction in 1950, has become synonymous with simplicity and reliability. Seletti’s lamp does not merely replicate the pen’s appearance but redefines its role, transforming it into a statement piece that challenges conventional notions of utility. This approach aligns with broader trends in design, where everyday objects are reimagined through the lens of creativity and innovation. The lamp’s exaggerated scale—nearly 12 times larger than the original—amplifies its visual impact, making it a focal point in any setting. At the same time, the choice to retain the pen’s color options and proportions ensures that its origins remain unmistakable, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between mass-produced objects and high-concept design.

The Bic Lamp’s launch coincides with a growing interest in experiential and conceptual design, where products are as much about storytelling as they are about functionality. Seletti’s collaboration with designer Mario Paroli, though not explicitly detailed in the article, likely played a role in shaping the lamp’s unique characteristics. Paroli’s involvement suggests an emphasis on both technical precision and aesthetic appeal, as the lamp must balance its monumental size with practicality. The decision to debut the piece at Maison&Objet, a platform known for showcasing cutting-edge design, further positions it as a product of the luxury and innovation sectors. This context implies that the Bic Lamp is not merely a novelty but a deliberate statement about the evolving nature of design in the 21st century. Its presence at such an event also indicates that Seletti aims to appeal to a discerning audience that values creativity and originality.

Pricing and availability details provide additional insight into the lamp’s target market. According to reports from Fast Company, the Bic Lamp is expected to retail for $350 in the United States when it becomes available later in 2026. This price point situates the lamp within the premium design category, suggesting that it is intended for consumers who prioritize aesthetics and uniqueness over cost. The relatively high price tag, combined with its unconventional form, positions the Bic Lamp as a collectible item rather than a mainstream lighting solution. However, its availability in multiple configurations and color options may broaden its appeal, allowing potential buyers to customize it according to their preferences. The lamp’s emphasis on modularity and adaptability also hints at a strategic effort to maximize its usability, ensuring that it remains relevant across different interior design contexts.

Beyond its technical and aesthetic attributes, the Bic Lamp embodies a broader cultural fascination with reinterpreting familiar objects. This phenomenon is not unique to Seletti; throughout history, designers and artists have frequently drawn inspiration from everyday items, transforming them into symbols of innovation or critique. The Bic Lamp continues this tradition by taking a ubiquitous object and elevating it to the realm of art. Its creation also reflects the ongoing dialogue between consumer culture and design, as it both celebrates and critiques the mass production of items like the Bic Cristal. By scaling up the pen’s design, Seletti invites viewers to consider how objects shape our daily lives and how their meanings can shift when recontextualized.

The article, authored by Andrew Liszewski, a senior reporter for The Verge with extensive experience covering technology and design, provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Bic Lamp. Liszewski’s background in tech journalism lends credibility to the piece, as he frames the lamp within the context of design innovation and consumer trends. His writing emphasizes the lamp’s significance as a cultural artifact, highlighting its role in bridging the gap between commercial products and artistic expression. The article’s structure—beginning with an attention-grabbing title, followed by detailed descriptions of the lamp’s features and design philosophy—ensures that readers gain a clear understanding of its value proposition. Additionally, the inclusion of practical details such as pricing and availability underscores the lamp’s viability as a real-world product, rather than an abstract concept.

Seletti’s Bic Lamp also raises questions about the future of design in an era increasingly defined by digital and sustainable practices. While the lamp is a physical object, its creation likely involved advanced manufacturing techniques and material innovations to achieve its scale and functionality. The use of LED technology, for instance, aligns with broader industry shifts toward energy-efficient solutions. Furthermore, the lamp’s modular design may reflect a growing emphasis on customization and adaptability in product development. These elements suggest that Seletti is not only responding to current design trends but also anticipating future directions in the field. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, the Bic Lamp exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to design that resonates with contemporary audiences.

In summary, Seletti’s Bic Lamp represents a bold reimagining of an everyday object, transforming the Bic Cristal pen into a monumental lighting fixture. Through its exaggerated scale, functional versatility, and faithful replication of the original design, the lamp challenges conventional boundaries between utility and art. Its launch at Maison&Objet and anticipated U.S. release highlight its appeal to a sophisticated, design-conscious audience, while its $350 price tag positions it as a premium product. By merging the familiar with the extraordinary, Seletti’s creation invites viewers to reconsider the potential of everyday items and the role of design in shaping our relationship with the objects around us.