SOLD

United States
1957

Sculptural desk lamp with adjustable fiberglass fins, cut and enameled aluminum diffuser and base, and a wooden ball pull. Made in 1957 by Jo Mead Designs of Chicago. Jo(sephine) Mead was one of the first female students to attend the Chicago School of Design under Moholy-Nagy. The present lamp preceded Verner Panton’s Moon Lamp (1960) and Superstudio’s Gherpe lamp (1967) as possibly the first lighting design to use pivoting fins to diffuse and direct light—and to create a sculptural element. The lamp was featured in late 1957 in Furniture Forum, Interiors Magazine, and Industrial Design Magazine, but did not go into serial production. In all likelihood, only a few examples were hand-produced (see the jagged cuts to the base) to show at venues such as the Chicago Merchandise Mart. A truly rare and exciting example of experimental American “Good Design” that might have had greater commercial success had it been designed a decade later. In original condition.

Condition
Good original condition with wear to the metal and wooden ball consistent with age and use. The fiberglass fins are in excellent condition. Rewired at some point and in working order.

Measurements
Height: 25 in.
Width/length: 18 in.
Depth: 13 in.

Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/techniques: Fiberglass, enameled aluminum, enameled steel, wood