Solbergs Fabrikker 6003 Desk Lamp –Vintageinfo

Solbergs Fabrikker 6003 desk lamp yellow diabolo lampshade cast iron base brass gooseneck 1950s 1960s Norway

Lamps in the movies

A Solbergs Fabrikker 6003 desk lamp was used as a prop in the 1997 Norwegian comedy film Budbringeren (Junk Mail). Starring Robert Skjærstad, Andrine Sæther and Per Egil Aske.

Many thanks to Bente Ann for the photos of the lamp with the external switch.

Solbergs Fabrikker 6003 Desk Lamp

Materials: Yellow painted cast iron base with a built-in switch. Yellow painted iron cover for the switch. Brass gooseneck and lampshade holder ring. Yellow painted brass rod. Yellow painted aluminium diabolo lampshade, white painted inside. Bakelite B22 socket.

Height: 38 cm / 14.96” (adjustable goose neck)

Lampshade: ∅ 18 cm / 7.08”

Base: ∅ 16,5 cm / 6.49”

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. A small round light bulb was used for this setup. A normal bulb is to big for this lamp.

Period: 1950s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Solberg Fabrikker, Norway.

Other versions: The Solbergs Fabrikker 6003 desk lamp was made in several colours: red, white, black, yellow, blue and probably a few others. Also made with a brass decoration on the base, as you can see below. Also wall lamps exists. This lamp is model 6003. A version in black with a label can be found over here.

A version with a perforated lampshade also exists. Versions exists with an external switch, as you can see below. It is also labelled 6003, despite the fact that it is different. A ball screw is located at the position of the switch.

On the brass gooseneck is pressed: AJH.5.PAT.S, it is not the maker of the lamp, but the maker of the brass gooseneck. Several companies used parts of AJH.

Solberg Fabrikker

Not much information to be found about the company. It must be long gone. Solberg is a common name in Norway. You will find different companies with that family name. The first minister of Norway (2018) is also called Solberg.

This lamp is on display in the Norwegian Nasjonalmuseet, the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. It houses many paintings by Edvard Munch, amongst them several versions of “The Scream”. The museum is located in the capital Oslo. According to the museum this lamp with a diabolo lampshade was made in the mid 1950’s.

Diabolo

Diabolo is the name given to the shape of the lampshade. The diabolo lampshades were very popular in the 1950s. You can find several examples on Vintageinfo.

The diabolo, some yo-yo, has it’s origin in China. It’s a double-coned bobbin that can be twirled, tossed, and caught on a string secured by two sticks, one held in each hand. The first diabolo’s were made of bamboo and they made some whistlingsound.

In the eighteenth century, the diabolo became known in England and France. The term “diabolo” was made up by French engineer Gustave Phillippart, who developed the modern diabolo in the early twentieth century and he was re-released. Since then, he has been widespread.