This rare 1930s machinist light by Mek Elek has a unique story to match its striking aesthetic. Stamped with the late Queen’s cypher, it was salvaged from government workshops in the UK. Three arms and dynamic junctures make this a perfect positionable task light, great for layered illumination in office spaces, kitchens and bedrooms.
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 UKAt skinflint we are fascinated by the interesting surfaces and patinas in the vintage lights that we find. Committing to preserving, protecting and celebrating the heritage - and uniquely worn aesthetic - of each piece, our restoration team has carefully preserved the original colour and markings of this extraordinary piece.
Supplied tested and rewired with a new switched Bayonet (B22) lampholder and twisted black braided cable. Projection Min. 550mm | Max. 1180mm.
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Diameter:
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145 mm |
Non-standard delivery. Supplied wired and tested to BS EN60598. IP20 for internal use only. All dimensions and weights are approximate.
Founded during 1931 in London, UK, MEK ELEK specialised in the manufacture of the Mekelite lathe light, primarily for use within the aircraft industry. Pathé newsreels of the 1940s clearly show row upon row of munitions machinists, labouring away under the illumination of Mek Elek lights. Mekelite lights were available in a wide range of types and sizes for floor, bench, wall and ceiling applications - all versions being based around a similar family of components. It is not known what became of the company, but their designs have stood the test of time and remain one of our favourite brands of early industrial lighting.
View all MEK ELEK Engineering LightsAs 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
Why we recommend using energy-saving LED light bulbs in all of our vintage lights.
Where our lights can be used internally and externally, including bathrooms and IP ratings.
Our UK Lighting Industry Association (LIA), British Standards and UL certifications.
Love the lamp - it is just what we needed to set off our new kitchen - will have pride of place over the breakfast bar. Excellent service from the company - was notified that delivery would be late by one day but was kept informed. Many thanks.
- Gordon | Glasgow | UK
Beautiful little ceiling plate. Elegant. Functional. Well made. Simple to install. Top quality. Excellent condition. Excellent
- Jonny | East Sussex | UK
Good product listings with careful explanations.
- Robert | Chichester | UK
Love the lights, love your ethos. Absolutely what more companies need to be doing. I have my Retro Czech Ceiling Lights (V2) in my dining room and the spray of light they give off is gorgeous and unusual.
- Jenny | Lincolnshire | UK
