The collection
Table lamp with angled brass shaft and shallow cylindrical black aluminum shade.
1955

Table Lamp

Designed by
Louis Christiaan Kalff (1897–1976)
Material
Brass, enameled aluminum
Produced by
Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Dimensions
42.5 x 32.5 x 32.5 cm

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Liliane and David M. Stewart Collection, gift of Roy Poretzky, 2008.102

The geometric form of this Constructivist design is dominated by strong angles and circular elements. Its light bulb comes up through the perforation in the middle of the shade, becoming part of the overall form, and directing the light both upward and downward when illuminated. Kalff as a young architect began working for Philips in 1925, heading the advertising department, and in 1929 he set up the company’s department for design of lighting products.

His lamps were minimal and inventive. He later became the art director for the company, where he worked until he retired in 1960.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, photo: Denis Farley.