Brutalist wrought iron wall lamp – Collection
The style of these type of lamps is often named Brutalist. Not to be confused with the Brutalist architecture, or Brutalism from more or less the same period. That is something completely different.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Albano Poli – Progetto Arte Poli website
Academy of Fine Arts in Venice – website
Vintageinfo
Brutalist Wrought Iron Wall Lamp
Materials: Black wrought iron wall mount rectangular clear and orange-amber glass lampshade. Some metal parts. Bakelite E14 socket.
Height: 35,5 cm / 13.97”
Width: 26 cm / 10.23”
Depth: 9,5 cm / 3.74”
Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used. Not a specific one preferred.
Period: 1970s.
Designer: Albano Poli (born 1935).
Manufacturer: Poliarte, Verona, Italy.
Other versions: This Brutalist wrought iron wall lamp exists in many variations. Also table lamps, flush mounts and chandeliers were made.
Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrich
Almost always said that these lamps are a design of Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrich, the two founders of A&E Design, founded in Sweden in 1968. It is a HOAX. They got nothing to do with these lamps. In fact, to say the least, they are not amused that they are always connected with these lamps. A + E Leuchten from Germany also sold these lamps, hence the confusion.
Over the years I found these lamps with labels from Steen & Steen AS from Norway. Also Kaiser Leuchten, Marbach Leuchten and Kabo from Germany sold these lamps. In Spain it was JB Lamparas, and probably also some other companies.
But also found with labels from the Italian Poliarte company. That is the only one who specialises in glass lamps and they make them themselves. Furthermore, these colours of glass are often used.
Poliarte
Albano Poli founded Poliarte in 1968 as an innovative and experimental lighting company. Poliarte was based near Verona, Italy. Albano Poli designed and produced lighting with a team of some 30 craftsmen. They made no more than hundreds for each model.
His typical style was combining stainless steel or raw metal to modular compositions of glass elements. Such as cubes, rods and plates. The final effect was a three-dimensional lighting object. Some of his lamps have names such as Akikaze, Lussac and Nikirka.
The Poliarte company no longer exists. It ended business in 1979. Today the company of Albano Poli still creates stained glass windows. It is named Progetto Arte Poli Srl. (Art Project Poli).
JB Lamparas
A few years ago I came across a 1970s catalogue of JB Lamparas on Todocolection, a Spanish sales website. All these lamps appeared in it. Unfortunately the catalogue was already sold.
The JB Lamparas company must be long gone, no information to be found. Do you know more about this company? Please let us know through the contact form and help improve the websites exactitude.
Labels found on these lamps
Many thanks to Frank from nullviernull raum+kommunikation for the beautiful pictures and enthusiasm. You can find his shop over here on Ebay.