An original work light by British manufacturer Mek Elek from the 1930s. Positionable lights like this used to illuminate the workshop machinery and benches of factory workers. Now refurbished and sensitively restored retaining its original character, the light can be used as a wall light for task lighting or to illuminate a kitchen worktop.
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 UKComprising a vitreous enamelled shade with a two arm construction, it features 180-degree rotation at the wall plate, with adjustment of the arms and full rotation of the shade. It still features multiple cast manufacturer's marks on the juncture plates and its original green paint finish is a testament to its heritage and age.
This image of our 1930s wall light by MEK ELEK is taken from a vintage Alliance & Surrey Wholesale’s General Catalogue, an original manufacturer's catalogue from our archive.
The light is supplied rewired and tested with a new Bayonet (B22) switched lamp holder, traditional twisted 2.5metre black braided cable and a plug.
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Diameter:
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140 (Shade) mm |
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.
Our carbon-neutral business policy and our commitment to looking after the planet.
I am very pleased with my purchase, it finishes off my dining room just perfectly.
- David | East Sussex | UK
Great light. It looks very smart. I was initially worried that it might be slightly big for the room (we don't have high ceilings) but it looks great and I am really pleased with it.
- Carineh | Oxfordshire | UK
We have often purchased from skinflint and the fittings are exactly as depicted, delivered on time & with excellent customer service.
- Doug | UK | Commercial client
Lighting is critical to any room and when it came to putting the finishing touches to our vintage kitchen, we came to skinflint - and we found exactly what we wanted.
- Estelle | London | UK
