1950s Conical Bedside Table Lamp

Materials: Round white painted metal (iron) base with a built-in switch. Curved brass rod. Adjustable white painted perforated lampshade with many small holes. Metal E14 socket.

Height: 23,5 cm / 9.25” – adjustable

Lampshade: ∅ 7,5 x 12 cm / 2.95 x 4.72”

Base: ∅ 8,4 cm / 3.30”

Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 40 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. For this setup a small bulb was used.

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

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Robert Pfäffle KG., Elektrotechnische Fabrik, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany – ERPEES – attributed 

Other versions: This 1950s conical bedside table lamp exists in several colours and slight variations.

The base, with or without built-in switch was used for several other lamps. Also several other parts are similar. Because of it, this lamp is attributed to ERPEES.

This bedside table lamp appears in the German book “Jetz kommt Licht ins Wirtschaftwswunder…” (Now there is light on the economic miracle…). A book about 1950s lighting in Germany written by Claudia Gross-Roath. Unfortunately without the name of the maker. A nice book, but there are several mistakes.

Pfäffle Leuchten

In 1909 Robert Pfäffle founded an office for electrical engineering and wholesale for electrical consumer goods in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. The town is near the Austrian border on the eastern edge of the Black Forest.

After 1949, the company was continued in the form of a limited partnership. The “Robert Pfäffle KG electrical and lighting equipment factory” mainly produced table and bedside lamps, wall and mirror lights under the “ERPEES” brand, as well as universal tube lamps, ceiling and floor lamps.

After the insolvency proceedings were opened in 1984, the cancellation took place in the commercial register in 1986.

The most well known lamp and the biggest success for the company is a desk lamp with a digital clock and alarm from the 70’s, the Chronolux, a Knox design. The lamp was produced in many variations and for a long time.