Max Schumacher Desk Lamp

Materials: Round dark red painted flat metal (iron) base. Thick chrome rod. Dark red painted socket holder, some metal parts. Mushroom style dark red painted lampshade, painted white inside. Chrome ornamental nut on top. Brass E27 socket.

Height: 40 cm / 15.74”

Width: ∅ 43 cm / 16.92”

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: 1930s – Bauhaus, Art Deco.

Designer: Max Schumacher in 1934.

Manufacturer: Metallwerk Werner Schröder, Lobenstein, Germany.

Other versions: This Max Schumacher desk lamp was made in many colours. It was copied by many other companies, such as the Belgian Massive.

Metallwerk Werner Schröder

The Metallwerk Werner Schröder (metal works) company was founded in 1934 in the small German town Lobenstein, today named Bad Lobenstein. Today, 2019 it has a population of about 6000 inhabitants.

During the Second World War, 60 women and men from Eastern Europe who were housed in two “Eastern Labour Camps” had to do forced labour: in the Werner Schröder factory, in the sawmill and in the Bahnmeisterei (railroad). 

After the war, in 1948 when the communists came to power and the company became state-owned, the name changed toVEB (B) der Metallwarenindustrie (MEWA) Lobenstein (Metalware industry). The company was merged with VVB (Z) der Metallwarenindustrie (MEWA), Zwickau, some 70 km / 40 mi further east. Later the name changed in Lomofa.

The privatisation after the fall of the Berlin wall was not a success. A few years later the company ceased to exist. In 2011 the building was demolished and the grounds had to be thoroughly cleaned up.

Unfortunately no information can be found about Max Schumacher.

The company should not be confused with Beleuchtungskörperfabrik Schröder & Co. (Escolux) from Neheim-Hüsten, also a German lighting producer.