Giant Clam Table Lamp

Materials: Giant clam – Tridacna gigas. Pocillopora verrucosa or cauliflower coral. Bakelite socket. 

Height: 24 cm / 9.44”

Length: 27 cm / 10.62”

Width: 17 cm / 6.69”

Electricity: 1 light 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, 1980s.

Designer: These lamps are all handmade and designed by nature.

Manufacturer: To be appraised.

Other versions: This giant clam table lamp can be found in many sizes.

The shells have their origin in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

In all probability this sea shell lamp was assembled somewhere in Europe to be sold in souvenir shops in the touristic coastal areas in Europe. Most of these sea shells were imported from the Philippines.

The giant clam is the largest living bivalve mollusk and is one of the most endangered clam species. They can weigh more than 200 kilograms (440 lb), measure as much as 120 cm (47”) across, and they have an average lifespan in the wild of over 100 years.

VLM Components

All the electric parts were made by VLM Components in the late 70’s, early 80’s. The company was founded in 1945 in Buccinasco, a small village near Milan, Italy. The company became famous for the switches they produce since 1968, designed by Achille Castiglioni.

VLM Components is part of the Relco Group, founded in 1967. Today they are the owners of the brands Relco, Leuci, Relco Lighting, VLM and Segno.