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Raak Flush Mount B-1043

Materials: Round pressed embossed clear crystal glass lampshade. Brushed aluminium ring. Some metal parts. 3 ornamental nuts. Metal E27 socket.

Height: 11 cm / 4.33”

Width: ∅ 35 cm / 13.77”

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. But clear light bulbs gives the best result with this type of lamps.

Period: 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Raak, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Other versions: This Raak flush mount B-1043 exists in this or in copper coloured anodised aluminium. These lamps are often used as wall lamps. A pendant lamp, model B-1044 also exists, you can find it over here.

This Raak flush mount B-1043 was made for a short while, it only appears in the Raak catalogue 8 from 1968. In the catalogue 9 (1972) it’s not mentioned anymore.

Raak 

The Dutch company Raak Lichtarchitectuur (Light architecture) was founded in 1954 by Carel O. Lockhorn (18 June 1923 – 6 October 2004), a previous employee of Philips Lighting Eindhoven. Raak, which means “to hit” in Dutch, implies design which precisely “hits the nail on the head”.

Raak is best known for their organic modern design of the 1960s and 1970s which combined glass & metals for a sophisticated futuristic style.

Designers

The light company collaborated with several international designers and architects, including Bertrand BalasEvert Jelle JellesFrank Ligtelijn. Ger VosJan Jasper FayerLi HeloMaija-Liisa Komulainen. Nan PlatvoetNanny Still-MackinneyNico Kooi. Sergio AstiTapio WirkalaWillem van Oyen and many others.

Collaborations

Raak  also collaborated with other companies. They worked with the German Peill + Putzler for the Raak Globe lamps. Peill + Putzler produced the glass. They also sold lamps made by Peill + Putzler, such as a pendant lamp designed by Aloys Ferdinand Gangkofner. For the Raak Discus the glass was made by Bega, also a German company. For the Stalactites flush mounts a cooperation with the Belgian Val Saint Lambert was undertaken in the late 1950s. Raak also sold some lamps that were produced by Staff Leuchten (Staff & Schwarz Leuchtenwerke GMBH) from Germany. iittala from Finland produced the glass for the lamps that were designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Raak collaborated with many other producers of lighting.

Carel Lockhorn sold the company in 1974 to ITT but remained a director until 1977. In 1980 Raak merged with BIS Lighting from Aalsmeer, also in The Netherlands and was renamed into BisRaak. In 1986 the Raak company became independent again. The company got a business appearance and only the colours white, black and grey were still processed.

In 1999, Raak merged with Artilite B.V. and Indoor B.V. and became CLACentrum voor Lichtarchitectuur B.V. in Drachten (Centre for Light Architecture). The Centre for Lighting Architecture was founded by Egbert Keen. The company was declared bankrupt on 19-05-2011.

Raak B-1043 – Flush Mount – Catalogue 8 – 1968

Raak B-1043 Flush Mount - Raak Catalogue 8 - 1968 - page 85

Translated text 

B-1043 height 11 cm, ø 35 cm, lamp up to 100 Watt, preferable clear. Metal of choice: copper coloured or blank anodized light metal.  

Raak B-1044 – Pendant Lamp – Catalogue 8 – 1968

Raak B-1044 Pendant Lamp - Raak Catalogue 8 - 1968