Maru is part a series of simple lamps made of Japanese paper that Ingo Maurer developed in the late 1970s & early 1980s called Papier. In these designs, he takes up the shape of traditional lampshades and yet formulates a new aesthetic. The height of the lamp can be adjusted by carefully raising the iron ring or by lifting the shade itself.

Ingo Maurer started to design exceptional lamps, lighting systems, and objects beginning in the middle of the 1960s, which his company produces and distributes worldwide. Manual production by hand is an integral part of their corporate philosophy and all Ingo Maurer designs have been hand-made in their production facility in Munich, Germany since 1970.

The paper is crinkled as an intended design attribute. The material reacts to fluctuations from humidity. Therefore, changes in the rigidity of the shades can not be prevented. These lamps are not suited for environments with high humidity.