Solbergs Fabrikker 1950s Desk Lamp –Vintageinfo

Solbergs Fabrikker 1950s desk lamp model 6003 black cast iron base & lampshade brass gooseneck rod Norway

Lamps in the movies

A Solbergs Fabrikker 1950s desk lamp was used as a prop in the 1997 Norwegian comedy thriller film Budbringeren (Junk Mail). Starring Robert Skjærstad, Andrine Sæther and Per Egil Aske.

Solbergs Fabrikker 1950s Desk Lamp

Materials: Black painted cast iron base. Black iron cover for the built-in switch. Brass gooseneck. Black painted curved brass rod. Brass ring around the lampshade. Black painted aluminium diabolo lampshade, painted white inside. Bakelite B22 socket.

Height: 38 cm / 14.96” (adjustable goose neck)

Lampshade: ∅ 18 cm / 7.08”

Base: ∅ 16,5 cm / 6.49”

Electricity: 1 bulb B22, 1 x 60 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used, not a specific one preferred. A small round light bulb was used for this setup. A normal bulb is to big for this lamp.

Period: 1950s – Mid-Century Modern.

Designer: To be appraised.

Manufacturer: Solberg Fabrikker, Norway.

Other versions: This model of the Solbergs Fabrikker 1950s desk lamp was made in several colours: red, white, black, yellow, blue and probably a few others. Also made with a brass decoration on the base, as you can see below. Also wall lamps exists. This desk lamp is model 6003.

A version with a perforated lampshade also exists. Versions exists with an external switch, as you can see below. It is also labelled 6003, despite the fact that it is different. A ball screw is located at the position of the switch.

On the brass gooseneck is pressed: AJH.5.PAT.S, it is not the maker of the lamp, but the maker of the brass gooseneck. Several companies used parts of AJH.

Solberg Fabrikker

Not much information to be found about the company. It must be long gone. Solberg is a common name in Norway. You will find different companies with that family name. The first minister of Norway (2018) is also called Solberg.

This lamp is on display in the Norwegian Nasjonalmuseet, the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. It houses many paintings by Edvard Munch, amongst them several versions of “The Scream”. The museum is located in the capital Oslo. According to the museum this lamp with a diabolo lampshade was made in the mid 1950s.

Diabolo

Diabolo is the name given to the shape of the lampshade. The diabolo lampshades were very popular in the 1950s. You can find several examples on Vintageinfo.

The diabolo, some yo-yo, has it’s origin in China. It’s a double-coned bobbin that can be twirled, tossed, and caught on a string secured by two sticks, one held in each hand. The first diabolo’s were made of bamboo and they made some whistlingsound.

In the eighteenth century, the diabolo became known in England and France. The term “diabolo” was made up by French engineer Gustave Phillippart, who developed the modern diabolo in the early twentieth century and he was re-released. Since then, he has been widespread.