Links (external links open in a new window)
Nanbu Plastics CO. Ltd website
Vintageinfo
Many thanks to Joeri from Centurysoup for the pictures of the yellow Well-Lite lamp. You can find his website and shop over here.
Nanbu Kreo-Lite aiai NA-718 Table Lamp
Materials: Capsule, pill style light made of dark orange, red acrylic, black plastic and aluminium. Built-in transformer 220 volt – 12 volt/6 volt. Foldable chromed iron rods and hinge. Round orange-red aluminium lampshade, painted white inside.
Max Height: 35,5 / 13.97”
Height: 11 cm / 4.33”
Width: 8 cm / 3.14”
Base: 7,5 x 8 cm / 2.95 x 3.14”
Electricity: 1 bulb 15CP, 12 volt, 13 watt, 220-240 volt.
Switch with two settings, high and low. (6 and 12 volt)
Period: 1970s, 1980s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: To be appraised.
Manufacturer: Nanbu LTD, Japan – Nanbu Industrial Co. Ltd, Hong Kong, Kreo Co LTD.
Other versions: This Nanbu Kreo-Lite aiai NA-718 table lamp exists in several colours and was made with a switch left-right and a switch up-down. Made with an aluminium front or only a black plastic front. Also lamps with a plastic and metal lampshade exists. They have a double lampshade.
These lamps were a big hit and were produced for many years, starting from the early 70s.
Model number NA-718, named aiai. The aiai lamp can also be used as a wall lamp. A recess is provided.
This aiai table lamp has no label. Only “Made in Hong Kong” moulded on the bottom. Also sold under the name Well-Lite, as you can see below.
Nanbu
A company with the name Nanbu Industrial Co. Ltd from Hong Kong exists. If it got anything to do with the company from the 1970s is unclear. According to some sources it was founded around 2008. Maybe the legal status changed or it is another firm. Nanbu is an import and export company.
The Nanbu LTD company in Japan no longer exists. No information to be found. Another Nanbu company exists, but it was founded in 1981 and is named Nanbu Plastics Co.,LTD.
Kreo
Kreo Co LTD was founded in 1968. Today it is an advertising company. Also Kreo Industrial Co Ltd exists. It was founded in 1985 according to Bloomberg and it is specialized in lighting. Most likely, the company was split up. Kreo Lite was part of Nanbu Industrial Co. Ltd from Hong Kong, as you can see on the labels from two different aiai table lamps.
Designed in the style of the famous Pillola (pill) table lamp designed by Studio D.A., Italy for Ponteur in 1968.
Several cities in Japan are called Nanbu. It was also a Japanese samurai clan.
Nanbu Kreo-Lite aiai NA-718 Table Lamp – Yellow Well-Lite Version
Nanbu Kreo-Lite aiai NA-718 Table Lamp – Kreo-Lite Labels
