The Ingo Maurer Bulb table lamp and the Giant Bulb table or floor lamp
Bulb Table Lamp
Materials: Round white painted metal (iron) base. Brass ‘screw” ring. White opal glass bulb globe lampshade. Metal E14 socket.
Height: 24 cm / 9.44”
Width: 9,8 cm / 3.85”
Electricity: 1 bulb E14, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of lamp can be used, not a specific one preferred but a white one gives the most beautiful result. A clear bulb creates stripes on the globe.
Period: 1970s – Mid-Century modern.
Designer: To be appraised, designed after the classic E27 light bulb designed (not invented) by Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931).
Manufacturer: To be appraised.
Other versions: This bulb table lamp was made in several colours. Also a big version exists, it is 57 cm / 22.44” high.
The most famous Bulb table lamp was designed in 1966 by Ingo Maurer (1932 – 2019) and exists in two sizes, 30 cm and the “Giant” of 56 cm. The normal size is still in production but only in clear crystal Murano glass. The opal version is out of production. It was designed after the idea of the over sized examples created by the American pop art artist Claes Oldenburg.
Ingo Maurer designed several variations of this lamp during the years.
VLM Components
All the electric parts are made by VLM Components from Buccinasco near Milan in Italy. This lamp uses a switch designed by Achille Castiglioni (1918 – 2002); the VLM 450 switch.
The Ingo Maurer Bulb lamp is described in 1000 Lights, 1960 to present Vol. 2, page 100. Written by Charlotte & Peter Fiell and published by Taschen. You can find this book over here at Bol.com: 1000 Lights 1960 to present Vol. 2
Links (external links open in a new window)
The “Bulb” lamp on the Ingo Maurer website
Vintageinfo – Bulb lamps
Ingo Maurer Bulb Table Lamp – Catalogue 1993
