We have a "new" lamp casting an amber glow in our bedroom. It pays to make friends with the folks at surplus property. The professor was there on Friday; after showing an interest in this lamp those nice people gave it to him!I suppose that most of you are thinking one of two things; either, "Wow, that lamp is hot!" or, more likely, "Oh dear, surely not!" And, I must admit that my own reaction to the lamp was not a full out embrace when I first caught sight of it upon returning home from the beach earlier this week. I could have easily quipped what I did back in December when the professor first broached the idea of purchasing a knock-off Franz Klein painting, "Great, now people will really know we're weird!"
But, just as learning to love and appreciate the painting was a process, so it will be with this lamp because I'm gathering from my dear husband that the lamp is here to stay. The professor says that in appreciating an object liking it is only 60% of the package, the other 40% is knowing the history behind it. For me, hearing an object's story often invokes a greater appreciation -- it certainly has in this case.
It seems this free lamp, this junk lamp, that came from surplus property is actually a light fixture of very high quality. I believe the professor referred to it as "a fine piece of furniture" ...literally. Its late 1950's to early 1960's design was created and fabricated by
Nessen Lighting, a high-end, architectural lighting studio in New York.
The firm was established in 1927 by Walter von Nessen, a German immigrant, who is credited with designing the original swing-arm lamp. Nessen was committed to function above form and was commissioned by many of the leading architects of that time to create custom light fixtures and other household items for many now famous, modern, classic homes and buildings.
This lamp is constructed of solid mahogany and polished chrome; it was made with the utmost quality. The fixture needs some work, perhaps a new shade and a good cleaning, possibly rewiring, but otherwise it is in beautiful condition. For now it is in our bedroom
(a room that has been lacking a decidedly modern punch) resting at the end of the credenza which we use for clothes storage. Because it is so tall we plan to eventually find a more permanent home for it atop a low side table... once we find one at surplus!
Mid-century mahogany and chrome lamp
Nessen Lighting, New York
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