Vintage 1970's Hala Zeist White Glass Table Lamp "MUSHROOM"

MUSHROOM

Hello, and thanks for stopping by lumenowl!

This stunning, minimalist Hala glass table lamp has been reconditioned from a design (informally dubbed 'The Mushroom') first released in the early 1970's. Now considered a design classic, the appeal of its simple, elegant construction was quickly noticed by design powerhouse Terence Conran, and subsequently they were sold in the UK in Conran's Habitat stores.

The Dutch lighting manufacturer Hala, based in Zeist (and as such often referred to as 'Hala Zeist'), has a clouded history, and it’s unclear whether the company was founded as an importer of German light bulbs in 1909, or if it was started under the Dutch modernist industrial designer Herman Theodoor Jan Anthoin (H. Th. J. A.) Busquet’s direction in the 1930s. Although little verifiable information about the company survives—save for a few brief and conflicting biographies—the minimalist lighting produced by Hala in the 1930s throughout the 1950s are popular on the vintage market today. Although the correct date of company's inception is unknown, it is widely accepted that Hala was one of the first lighting manufacturers in the Netherlands. Sometime around 1932, H. Th. J. A. Busquet (1914-1955) became the design director. During the Great Depression, Hala began producing cost effective products utilizing pipe and rod iron. After the Second World War, Hala’s simple and affordable designs were praised by the Goed Wonen Foundation, which aimed to address postwar material shortages and improve the quality of daily life through well-designed products for the home. During the 1950s and ‘60s, Hala became a symbol for the economy of modernism. Most likely drawing inspiration from the De Stijl and Bauhaus movements, Busquets designs were reductionist in style, forming a coherent relationship between form and function. Like Gerrit Rietveld, his work often incorporates a primary color palette, with adjustable and directional features, often with a playful quality. During his time at Hala, he designed icons such as the 144 Desk Lamp (1932); 122 Lamp (1940s); the Pinocchio Lamp (1954)—which features sleek legs that form a tripod base, paired with painted metal shades in a choice of red, blue, yellow, green, white, or black; and the innovative, adjustable Sun Series Pendants (1955).

The glass is in absolutely stunning condition, with no chips, cracks or scratches spoiling the clean aesthetic. There are a few bubbles encased within the glass (a residue from the hand-blowing process), but they're extremely well hidden.

MUSHROOM has has had all existing electrical components removed, and good thing, too, as they were corroded! The glass has been extensively cleaned inside and out, and in place of the original plastic lamp holder now sits a machine milled nickel E27 version. MUSHROOM has been rewired with luxurious quality bark coloured linen and rayon covered cable in a fantastic zig-zag pattern. A high quality white inline on/off switch sits 20cm from the base (and with another 1m to the matching white UK 3-pin plug). A new cord grip keeps the cable sturdily in place. The metal lamp holder is earthed using three-core cable, and the unit has been thoroughly PAT tested and approved (with a sticker affixed near the plug to show the PASS status). Components comprise of a British-made and certified lamp holder and plug, and Italian-made cable, which has passed or exceeded relevant CE and EU electrical integrity tests.

MUSHROOM stands at 26cm tall, and is 21cm in depth and width. It weighs in at just under 1.5KG.

The lamp works fantastically with an A60/standard bulb shape crown silver LED bulb (shown pictured). A bulb of this type help throws light evenly throughout the glass. However, adding an amber-tinted glass bulb will create a much softer, gentle light. This is also a dream lamp for use with a Smart Bulb!

INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS:

Whilst lumenowl lamps are by default wired for the UK market, I am more than happy to adapt for use the world over! The existing UK/EU lamp holder can be swapped out for a version relevant to your country, and, if necessary, an inline on/off switch added to the cable. I will also fit a plug suitable for your country. If you would like to purchase the lamp for use outside the UK, please contact me prior to placing your order so I can advise on and add the additional costs to the listing price.

Each item is professionally wrapped, packaged and sent via UPS on a fully trackable service.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note, when purchasing vintage glassware, earthenware and ceramics etc., some age-related signs of wear such are to be expected. These include, but are not limited to; fine surface scratches/scuff marks, superficial chips, colour aberrations and dulling of parts that have been exposed to abrasive treatment. I ensure I list any aesthetic faults in both the descriptions and photographs, but please always satisfy yourself the item you are purchasing matches the description.