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Reference 19_3176

Vintage substation pendant lights

Era: 1950s Origin: UK

Salvaged vitreous enamel pendants by British manufacturer Benjamin, from an electrical substation in the Northwest of England. The shades show small signs of wear and are accurately dated by their original manufacturer's labels, and complete with their polished brass galleries.

UK

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

Once we’ve salvaged a collection of lights, we bring them home to our studio and begin the meticulous process of restoration. Each light is disassembled and we examine every component for damage and flaws, so we know which can be kept, and which need to be replaced. We then hand over to our experts – in-house and locally – to carefully restore each component by hand. This often begins with soda-blasting (an environmentally friendly way to remove old paint), before hand-polishing, lacquering and rewiring.

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:

305 mm
220 mm
0.9 kg
n/a mm
n/a mm
Grey | White (internal)

Supplied tested to BS EN60598. IP20 for internal use only. All dimensions and weights are approximate.

Benjamin Electric

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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Lights for life

As well as offering a lifetime guarantee that includes repairs, our Full Circle buy-back scheme gives you the opportunity to trade-in your skinflint lights. It keeps vintage lights in use forever - helping you and our planet.

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Light Bulbs

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Applications

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Certifications

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Sustainability

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A quick word from our customers

Fantastic, so pleased

I have never received a more beautifully packaged item, the light itself is wonderful and we are very pleased. 

- Eleanor | Worcester | UK

Eastern Bloc Fluorescent LED

I've been admiring your lights for a while and the great work you guys do bringing them back to life... My Eastern Bloc LED light is now up and it's beautiful. Thanks for restoring such beautiful lights. 

- John | Kerry | Ireland

US shipment within days

Many thanks for your help. Paying customs was easy and arrival of shipment only took a few days. You made this transaction go so quickly and smoothly, I appreciate it.

- Leslie | Florida | US

Czech industrial pendants

The light works well because the industrial style and it complements the exposed brick walls and stone worktops in the kitchen.

- Charles | London | UK