Verner Panton Fun 1TM Table Lamp –Vintageinfo

Verner Panton Fun 1TM table lamp 1964 design chrome windowpane oyster shells mother of pearl Capiz

An artisan creating lamps

Lamps in the movies and on TV

A Verner Panton Fun 5DM chandelier was used as a prop in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Starring George Lazenby, Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas.

A Verner Panton Fun floor lamp is used as a set piece in the Belgian Canvas TV show Winteruur (Winter hour). Hosted by comedian and television maker Wim Helsen.

Many thanks to Lluís from Eclectique Vintage for the photos and the enthusiasm. Many Thanks to Koen for the enlightening information about these lamps. You can find his Instagram account over here.

Verner Panton Fun 1TM Table Lamp

Materials: Round chrome ring base. Chrome rods frame and parts. Round windowpane oyster shells lampshade. Metal filigree chains. Bakelite E27 socket.

Height: 60 cm / 23.62”

Width: ∅ 32 cm / 12.59”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1960s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: Verner Panton (1926-1998) in 1964.

Manufacturer: To be appraised.

Other versions: Also made in brass and made in many variations. Produced by several companies, many fake ones were made over the years. Today these lamps are exclusively made by Verpan. They produce the legal contemporary versions.

The original ones are 18-28-38 cm (7-11-15”), and doesn’t have a chrome tube base and square rods. It are all chrome slats. Early versions have a closed top, newer versions are open.

Verner Panton designed these lamps with silver paper, instead of shell discs. It was Lüber who wanted the shells.

Capiz

The shells of these lamps come from the Philippines, to be exact from the eponymous province of Capiz. The shells (Placuna placenta) have been used for thousands of years as a glass substitute because of their durability and translucence.

The windowpane oyster used for these lamps are often named “mother of pearl”, but that’s another shell. Mother of pearl is “nacre” and it’s the inside of a different shell and is not translucent. The outside of a pearl is from the same organic material. Also on the Verpan website these lamps with capiz shells were incorrectly described. Today, 2022, they say seashell discs, without saying what it really is.

Verner Panton

Verner Panton was born on 13 February 1926 in Gamtofte, Denmark and is considered as one of the most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers. He studied architecture at the Royal Art Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark and in his last year in 1950 he started to work for Arne Jacobsen.

From 1953 until 1955 he studied in various European countries and in 1955 he started his own business. Verner Panton received numerous awards for his designs. He died in Copenhagen on 5 September 1998.

J. Lüber A.G.

The J. Lüber A.G. company still exists, but they do not produce lighting anymore. Today they are specialised in gifts and home accessories.

Verpan

The Danish Verpan company is a furniture and lighting manufacturer dedicated to the works of Verner Panton. Verpan has the exclusive rights to a significant part of Verner Panton’s iconic lighting, furniture and accessories. New Fun lamps can be bought via their website. You can find a dealer in your neighbourhood over there.

Lamps in the movies!

The Verner Panton Fun 1TM table lamp was used as a prop in the American action thriller spy film Atomic Blonde (2017). Starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy & John Goodman.

The Verner Panton Fun floor lamp was used as a prop in the 2019 Spanish drama film Dolor Y Gloria (Pain And Glory) directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Starring Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia and Penélope Cruz. It was chosen by Time magazine as the best film of the year. Many beautiful lamps appear in this film. Not to mention the rest of the interior.