Staff Eyeball Desk Lamp - 1970s Design: Arnold Berges, Germany
Staff
Staff Leuchten – Staff & Schwarz Leuchtenwerk (lighting plant) – was established by Alfred Staff and Otto Schwarz in Lemgo, (West) Germany in 1945.
Their business started as a shop for consumer goods in wood and metal as well as pesticide for controlling the Colorado potato beetle, a huge problem at that time.
Within a year they the company expanded with 15 employees and they produced the first wrought iron luminaires. Over the next three decades, Staff was to develop into a world leader in design excellence, receiving over 200 awards for their achievements.
Staff also collaborated with the Italian company Stilnovo. They published a joint catalogue in the 1970s. The Dutch Raak and the Danish Lyfa sold several lamps in the 60s and 70s. Several other companies did.
In 1994 Zumtobel bought the company.
Staff Eyeball Desk Lamp
Materials: Round black and flat metal base. Chrome rod. Black plastic rod. Ornamental chrome screw. Chrome joint. Adjustable chrome globe or eyeball lampshade. Bakelite E27 socket.
Lampshade: ∅ 18 cm / 7.08”
Height: 62 cm / 24.40”
Base: ∅ 20 cm / 7.87”
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: 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: Arnold Berges.
Manufacturer: Staff & Schwarz Leuchtenwerke GMBH, Lemgo, Germany.
Other versions: This Staff eyeball desk lamp exists in a few variations. Also floor lamps and wall lamps were made.
Often said that this lamp is a design of Maria Pergay for Uginox, but those are false assumptions. The black plastic rod is typical for the Arnold Berges design.
Arnold Berges
No information can be found about the designer. He designed many beautiful lamps for Staff. Several of them can be found here on Vintageinfo. An Arnold Berges lives in Hennef, Germany. It is unclear if it is the designer.
Links (external links open in a new window)
History of the company can be found here: 60 Years of Light from Lemgo – Zumtobel plant celebrates historic milestones
Colorado potato beetle on Wikipedia as an agricultural pest
Vintageinfo
Oyster wall lamp – Dieter Witte
Cross Oyster wall lamp – Rolf Krüger
Many thanks to Lluís from Eclectique Vintage for the photos and the enthusiasm.