Nova of California

The Story

NOVA was founded in 1923 by three brothers with the vision of bringing light and warmth to their fellow Brooklynites. The business thrived through the depression years and NOVA was able to open showrooms in High Point, NC, the NY Furniture Exchange and America’s Furniture Mart in Chicago. Two of the brothers, Israel Langbaum and David Moscowitz spent much of their time selling the line on the road, while Murray Moskowitz ran the factory in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The designs were functional, purposeful and built to last. Their mission was solving real world problems, while making homes warmer and cozier.

The Product

In 1962, Mel Moskowitz and his Design Director, Peter Morelli, visited the Salon de Mobile in Milan where they met Achille and Pier Giancomo Castiglioni who were introducing their new Arco lamp, essentially a portable structure on which to hang a pendant. Peter brought home a sample of the Arco and begin to design a range of arc lamps for an American audience. He increased the scale, added wood elements and multiple arms, shrunk the shades and included swivels. Morelli expanded the wood working operation and began experimenting with a bendable plywood (Italian popular) that allowed him to create arches in wood. By 1970, NOVA had become known as the “King of Arc lamps”.