Karl Trabert Schaco Desk Lamp

Materials: Round white painted metal base. Adjustable chrome rod. Wood handle. Thin metal rod. Several metal parts. Black mushroom lampshade. Metal E27 socket.

Height: 45,4 cm / 17.87”

Lampshade: ∅ 32,9 cm / 12.95”

Base: ∅ 17,8 cm / 7.00”

Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 100 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. 

Period: 1930s – Bauhaus.

Designer: Karl Trabert – attributed.

Manufacturer: Schanzenbach und Co. GmbH, (Schuko), Kronprinzenstrasse 24, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Other versions: This Karl Trabert Schaco desk lamp exists in a few versions and colours. Also a version made by BAG Turgi from Switzerland was made until the 1960s.

Karl Trabert

A lot of confusion about the designer. Some say he was born in 1858 and passed away in 1910, others say he passed away in 1968 and the birth-date is unknown. But this desk lamp is designed around 1934. Some sources say he was an employee of the Schuko company. Others say he was a designer in close contact with the artists and architects of the German avant-garde. Also said that it is possible that he is the designer.

Schuko

The Gotthold Schanzenbach & Co. GmbH, Elektrotechnische und lichttechnische Spezialfabrik (Electrotechnical and lighting engineering special factory) was founded in 1899 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

In 1968 the Schanzenbach heirs left their company to the Commercial councillor Johann Kerschgens: He bought the company with loans that the banks granted him in the good name of Schanzenbach. 2 years later, in October 1970, the company went bankrupt. Kerschgens had withdrawn 4,3 million marks (2,15 million euro) from the company treasury. The company, insolvent with debts of over 40 million marks, had to fire its 380 employees and close the books.