Rotating fibre optic table lamp – parts
Lamps in the movies!
A fibre optic table lamp was used as a prop in the Italian crime TV mini series Maltese – Il Romanzo del Commissario from 2017. Starring Kim Rossi Stuart and Rike Schmid.
Rotating Fibre Optic Table Lamp
Materials: Chromed metal (iron). Anodised aluminium. Metal parts. Chrome feet. Built-in transformer 220 to 12 volt. Electric motor. Coloured glass parts. Glass fibre bundle. Porcelain halogen socket.
Total Height: 45 cm / 17.71”
Height Base: 20 cm / 7.87”
Width: 55 cm / 21.65”
Base: ∅ 23 cm / 9.05”
Glass Fibers: 38,5 cm / 15.15”
Electricity: 1 halogen bulb dichroic mirror 20 watt maximum, 12 volt. Similar bulbs can be used.
Period: 1960s, 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: To be appraised.
Manufacturer: To be appraised.
This rotating fibre optic table lamp has two switches, a on/off switch on the wire and a switch under the bottom to turn on the motor, or off. Handy when you are in the mood for just one colour, for instance. Not only does the light colour change, but also a second motor turns the fibre optic wires around.
Griccione
One source online says it is a fibre optic lamp made by the Italian company Griccione. But no further information or label. Unfortunately no information can be found about this company. It is an Italian surname and it is also a water bird.
Vimar
The switch and plug were made by Vimar in the 1960s, an Italian company located in Marostica, some 100 km (60 miles) from Venice.
Vimar was founded at the end of World War II, on May Day 1945. They started in a former hat factory with the production of products for the residential use of electricity, based on elements obtained by moulding thermosetting resin. The Vimar company still exists.
Lamps in the movies
A fibre optic table lamp was used as a prop in the 1972 comedy film What? or Ché? (Italian). Written and directed by Roman Polanski. Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Sydne Rome and Hugh Griffith. Unfortunately it is never shown completely, so we can’t see the model.
A fibre optic table lamp was used as a prop in the 2010 French comedy drama film 10 Jours en Or (10 Gold Days). Starring Franck Dubosc, Claude Rich and Mathis Touré.
Links (external links open in a new window)
History of the Vimar company on their website
Fiber optic lamps museum online
What? – Ché? (1972) film – Wikipedia
Maltese – Il Romanzo del Commissario (2017) – IMDb
10 Jours en Or (2012) film – IMDb
Vintageinfo
Cima fibre optic globe table lamp