1980s Spiral Table Lamp

Materials: Chromed metal spring base. Opal glass globe lampshade. Some metal parts. Brass B22 socket.

Height: 30 cm / 11.81”

Width: ∅ 18 cm / 7.08”

Base: ∅ 12 cm / 4.72”

Electricity: 1 bulb B22, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. 

Period: 1970s, 1980s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: After a design by Ingo Maurer.

Manufacturer: To be determined.

Other versions: This 1980s spiral table lamp exists in all probability in several colours. It was at least also made in white painted metal.

This lamp is yet another copy of Ingo Maurer‘s spiral lamp design.

The manufacturer of this lamp is unknown. It may have been produced by an anonymous or lesser-known Italian or German maker, capable of creating designs in the modernist style. Belgian and French factories that focused on household lighting were also active in this market.

What is certain is that this lamp was sold by the French department store BHV. It may also have been offered by other retailers, including the popular mail-order companies of the time—part of a vast industry that supplied lighting to a wide range of stores.

BHV

The Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV) is a historic Parisian department store founded in 1856 by François-Xavier Ruel. Located in the Marais district near the Hôtel de Ville, BHV began as a modest hardware shop and grew into a multi-level retail landmark.

Over the decades, it expanded its offerings to include home goods, fashion, beauty, design, and DIY tools. The store became especially known for its extensive selection of lighting and home improvement products, attracting both professionals and design enthusiasts. Its lighting department, in particular, offered everything from classic chandeliers to cutting-edge contemporary fixtures.

At its peak, the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville operated dozens of stores across France, encompassing both company-owned and franchised locations. These establishments were situated in city centers and suburban areas, including cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Toulouse, and Grenoble.

BHV has long prided itself on blending utility with style, catering to practical needs while following aesthetic trends. The store also embraced Parisian culture, featuring pop-up events and collaborations with designers. In recent years, it was rebranded as BHV Marais, reinforcing its connection to the fashionable neighborhood. Today, it remains a key shopping destination, combining tradition and modernity under one iconic roof. It is part of the Galeries Lafayette group.