Gepo Arc Table Lamp

Materials: Round white painted metal (iron) base. Thick curved white painted metal rod. Acrylic mushroom lampshade. 2 black plastic caps. Some metal and plastic parts. White painted Bakelite E27 socket.

Height: 50 cm / 19.68”

Width: ∅ 35 cm / 13.77”

Base: ∅ 20 cm / 7.87”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 75 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred.

Period: 1970s, 1980s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Gepo N.V. (Naamloze Vennootschap – Limited Company), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Other versions: This Gepo arc table lamp exists in several colours.

Gepo

Gepo N.V. was a family business founded in 1965 by the brothers Posthuma: Peter(sales director) , Jules (purchase and marketing), Archi and Rob (production). The name Gepo is derived from the Gebroeders (brothers) Posthuma.

The brothers started their business with +- 35 euro/dollar borrowed from their mother. In 1972 the company had a turnover of +- 1 million euro/dollar. It was always the intention of the company to produce affordable lamps for the middle class. The Posthuma brothers not only wanted to democratise the light business, but they also wanted to provide every lamp with a dimmer. At that time dimmers were made with a resistor; they were expensive and often broke down. The plan has never been successful. Gepo ended business somewhere in the early 1980’s.

VLM Components

The wiring, plug, switch and socket are Italian and they are made by VLM Components from Buccinasco near Milan in the 70’s. The company became famous for the switches they produce since 1968, designed by Achille Castiglioni. You can find them over here. This Gepo arc table lamp is equipped with a white model 450 switch.

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

Acrylic: often named by its commercial name: Perspex, Plexiglas, Crylux, Acrylite, Lucite, is a thermoplastic.