Seletti Monkey Lamp
Last updated: 12 October 2026
The Seletti Monkey Lamp is a resin monkey holding a lit bulb, designed by Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba for the Italian brand Seletti. It comes in six poses, from a monkey sitting on a sideboard to one hanging from the ceiling. On 12 October 2026 Seletti's UK shop listed sixteen versions from £219 to £340. The black sitting monkey costs £236.
What the Seletti Monkey Lamp is
The design magazine Gessato wrote about the lamp in May 2015, when it came in three poses: sitting, standing and hanging. Since then Seletti has added a ceiling monkey, a right-hand hanging monkey and a monkey on a swing.
Seletti calls them "a crazy and crafty family" with "a strong theatrical impact".
What it does
- Six poses: sitting and standing monkeys go on a surface, while the other four hang from above.
- Bulb in the box: every version comes with an LED bulb and runs on a normal 230V UK socket.
- Indoor and outdoor ranges: the white indoor monkeys are for inside only. Seletti also makes four white outdoor versions, and John Lewis says the black sitting monkey works indoors or in sheltered outdoor spots.
Every pose, size and price
The white indoor monkeys take a 4W bulb at 350 lumen. Most black versions take a 2W bulb at 350 lumen, though the black right-hand hanging and swing monkeys give 200 lumen.
| Pose | Size (cm), white version | White indoor | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sitting | 34 x 30, 32 high | £219 | £236 |
| Standing | 46 x 27.5, 54 high | £292 | £304 |
| Hanging, left hand | 37 x 20.5, 76.5 high | £292 | £304 |
| Hanging, right hand | 36 x 24, 65 high | £292 | £304 |
| Ceiling | 27 x 30, 80 high | £309 | £340 |
| Swing | 59 x 40, 44 high | £305 | £326 |
The white outdoor range runs from £236 to £326. However, three of its four versions were sold out on 12 October 2026, so only the outdoor ceiling monkey was available to order.
Key facts
- Switch: inline on the cable, not dimmable, according to John Lewis
- Sitting size: 32cm tall, about the height of a 2-litre drinks bottle
- Sitting weight: 1.9kg for the black version, according to John Lewis, or about two bags of sugar
- Spare bulb: £11 from Seletti for the indoor bulb
Who it suits
It suits someone who wants one loud object in an otherwise calm room. The sitting monkey is the easiest to place, because it only needs a sideboard or a wide bedside table. The ceiling and swing versions need a ceiling fixing instead.
The limits
It is a mood light, not a reading light. A 2W or 4W bulb gives a warm point of light in a corner, so you will still need a main light in the room.
Seletti does not publish an IP rating on its UK product pages. So keep any garden monkey under cover, and ask the shop about weather protection first.
John Lewis gives the black sitting lamp's cable as 80cm. That means it needs a socket close by, or an extension lead you will see.
Around £219 also buys an Anglepoise Original 1227, which lights a desk far better.
Where to buy the Seletti Monkey Lamp in the UK
Seletti's official UK shop carries all sixteen versions and the spare bulbs. John Lewis also sells the black sitting monkey at £236, and on 12 October 2026 the Design Museum Shop had the white sitting monkey in stock at £219.
Shop the Monkey Lamp at Seletti UK
FAQs
How much is the Seletti Monkey Lamp in the UK?
On 12 October 2026 Seletti UK charged £219 for the white sitting monkey, £236 for the black sitting monkey and up to £340 for the black ceiling monkey.
Can the Monkey Lamp go outside?
Only some versions. The white indoor range is for inside use. Seletti makes a white outdoor range, and John Lewis says the black sitting lamp suits sheltered outdoor spots.
What bulb does it take?
An E14 small screw LED, which comes in the box. White indoor monkeys use a 4W bulb and most black ones use a 2W bulb.
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Prices and stock change, so check the price at the shop before you buy.
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