Reference 18_3011

Vintage elliptical factory shades by Benjamin

Era: 1950s Origin: UK

Classic British industrial factory shades by Benjamin, salvaged from an electrical substation in the North West, UK. A vitreous enamelled reflector complete with a refurbished lacquered steel gallery. The asymmetrical shade is angled to illuminate the wall, object or floor below, creating an elliptical light distribution.

Left

Origin: UK

Lighting design in the UK benefitted from a free market. Different companies were working at the same time, designing and producing similar products for the same market. Often with only slight differences in their style, they constantly upgraded and improved their original designs. The products we salvage come from the old industrial heartland of England. This area of the UK was once the boiler room of the British economy - from the potteries of Stoke, through the engineering works of Birmingham, to the wool, textile and cotton mills of Oldham and Manchester.

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Restoration

At skinflint we respect and preserve the heritage of each piece. We take the time to investigate its history, studying old catalogues for clues and assembling the whole story. The extrat shown is from our own internal manufacturer's archive and taken from the ‘The commercial application and uses of Electric Discharge lighting by Benjamin’ dated 1936.

Product details

Each light is supplied with a new screw (E27) lamp holder, 2mtrs of suspension wire, elephant grey braided cable and ceiling mounting plate. (If you would prefer another colour cable, chain suspension or an E26 lamp holder for use in the USA, please just ask).

Diameter:
Height:
Weight:
Length:
Width:
Colour:

n/a mm
520 mm
2.5 kg
n/a mm
410 mm
Grey | White (internal)

IP20 for internal use only. All dimensions and weights are approximate.

Manufacturer: Benjamin Electric

The Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Company was founded by Reuben Berkley Benjamin in Chicago, Illinois in 1898. With the popularity of its lighting, the company expanded rapidly throughout the USA and Canada and then finally abroad, to England - more specifically London - which is where our shades were manufactured. Benjamin was a prolific inventor, mostly in the field of electric lighting. One of his most influential designs was the R.L.M. enamel shade - an influence so profound that this design is what we now recognise as the classic industrial enamel.

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