1960s Celluloid Double Floor Lamp

Materials: Black painted metal S shaped base with aluminium decoration. Square chromed rods in different size. Black and white Bakelite E27 sockets. Pleated cellulose acetate tubular lampshades (Rhodoïd).

Height (lamp 1): 122 cm / 48.03”

Height (lamp 2): 147 cm / 57.87”

Lampshade (lamp 1): ∅ 28,5 cm / 11.22”

Lampshade (lamp 2): ∅ 30,5 cm / 12”

Base: 26 x 30 cm  / 10.23” x 11.81”

Electricity: 2 bulbs E27, 2 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1950s, 1960s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: To be determined.

Other versions: This 1960s celluloid double floor lamp exists in all probability with other or other coloured lampshades. It was also made with a triangular base and 3 lampshades. A double lampshade floor lamp with a wood & chrome table also exists.

The only clue that this beautiful lamp gives is that it got 2 old sockets produced by the VLM Components company from Buccinasco, Italy in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. The floor switch and plug were replaced over time, unfortunately. Most likely, the original parts were also made by VLM Components.

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VLM Components

VLM Components was founded in 1945 in Buccinasco, a small village near Milan, Italy, today part of the Relco group.

In 1968 VLM Components started with the production of the famous VLM-switches designed by Achille Castiglioni.

The lampshades are made of iron wire, paper and celluloid wrapped around them. Exactly the same material as the stretchable folded celluloid flower pot decoration that is for sale since the 1930s and it is still available today. The “manchette” or “cuff” plastic is stretchable thanks to the folds, and therefore fits perfectly.

Lamps with these type of lampshades are often attributed to the famous French designer Georges Léon Rispal. Rispal is famous for his original creations and bio-morph forms. For some lampshades he used similar materials. But it was Lars Eiler Schiøler who was the first to use it for his Pearlshade lamps produced by the Danish Hoyrup.

Celluloid

Celluloid is cellulose nitrate. This lamp is made of cellulose acetate. The names are often mixed.

Cellulose acetate

Cellulose acetate is an early plastic, sold under the trade names Rhodoid in France and Great Britain, Tenite in the USA and Cellon in Germany. It was first prepared in 1865. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, for eyeglasses, cigarette filters and playing cards.