Wagenfeld multipurpose lamp

The 1930 catalogue of the Weimarer Bau- und Wohnungskunst GmbH (Weimar trading company for art outside on buildings and inside of apartments) describes this versatile lamp as “a bedside lamp that you can use as a wall lamp as well”. In fact, this lamp cuts a fine figure mounted on the wall or shelf as well as set up on a table. You can position lamp and light ray via two joints; the shade directs the light to one side. The lamp’s design is well-thought-out down to the positioning of the rotating switch. You find the switch directly on the body below the shade. The manufacturer chose nickel-plating over the standard chrome-plating for the solid brass body. Thanks to the nickel finish, the metal impresses with a rather unexpected “warm” tint and a subtle, deep shine on account of thorough polishing. One of the most important German product designers of the 20th century, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, designed the lamp as an illuminating example for his credo: “To be useful is to be beautiful ... otherwise objects do not fulfil their objective”. Developed between 1926 and 1930, the multi-purpose lamp is considered an early example of his design ideas. Today there is only one authorized manufacturer in Germany, and he provides us with this style icon of the 20th century.