Loading
original vintage British desk light Pifco heat lamp
Reference 16_2648

Retro British desk lamp

Era: 1950s Origin: UK

An original heat lamp by English manufacturers Pifco, now converted into a simple desk light. These style of lamps were once used for their healing and health-giving properties to treat a number of conditions through the use of ultra-violet or infra-red light.

front view of original vintage British desk light Pifco heat lamp
side view of polished aluminium original vintage British desk light Pifco heat lamp
vintage original steel base pico desk reading light
Retro British desk lamp on industrial sideboard
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.

View all lights from UK
original pifco lighting images instruction manual

Restoration

At skinflint, the work we do is about respecting and preserving the heritage of each light find. Over the years, we have been lucky enough to salvage and restore many interesting examples of original heat lamps. Investing their history through the old catalogues in our internal archive, this extract is from a Pifco Infra-Red heat lamp instruction manual, dated 1950.

burgundy red braided twisted cable vintage lighting

Product details

The light is supplied tested and rewired with two metres of traditional twisted burgundy cable, a new bayonet (B22) lamp holder, inline switch, and a plug.

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

235 (shade) mm
390 mm
1.6 kg
n/a mm
n/a mm
Silver | Gun metal grey

Supplied tested to BS EN60598. Converted for use in the US and worldwide. IP20 for internal use only.

Pifco

Manufacturer: Pifco

Pifco (Provincial Incandescent Fittings Co. Ltd) of Failsworth, Manchester were established in 1900 as manufacturers of lighting appliances and accessories. The company went on to purchase many smaller companies, and manufactured a wide range of electrical items including cookers, heaters and cycle lamps. Pifco is most remembered for its distinctive range of heat therapy lamps, predominantly for use within the home - heat therapy was a popular treatment for many ailments in the early to mid 20th century and, when converted, the beautifully designed lamps make wonderful modern desk lights.

View all Pifco Lights

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.

Trade in, get credit
skinflint, full circle
light bulbs faq

Light Bulbs

Why we recommend using energy-saving LED light bulbs in all of our vintage lights.

Read more

shipping icon

Shipping

Our UK and international shipping and our no quibble return options explained.

Read more

Wet rooms icon

Applications

Where our lights can be used internally and externally, including bathrooms and IP ratings.

Read more

skinflint lighting certifications

Certifications

Our UK Lighting Industry Association (LIA), British Standards and UL certifications.

Read more

Sustainability

Sustainability

Our carbon-neutral business policy and our commitment to looking after the planet.

Read more

More lights from the 1950s

More lights from UK

More lights by Pifco

A quick word from our customers

Bibliotheque Lights

Beautiful lights, very pleased with the quality. Excellent service overall from skinflint. 

- Miriam | Hampshire | UK

Chapel opaline light

Arrived next day, beautifully packaged and perfect for my own chapel renovation!

- Kate | Powys | UK

Light fantastic

Fantastic light and flex... We will be back for more! Service was unimprovable.

- Gareth | Northamptonshire | UK

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