Items Similar to 4 Midcentury Rotaflex Ceiling Pendant Lights by John & Sylvia Reid 1950s British
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
4 Midcentury Rotaflex Ceiling Pendant Lights by John & Sylvia Reid 1950s British
About the Item
A rare set of four Post War ceiling lights designed by John and Sylvia Reid for Rotaflex GB, established by Bernard Stern. The eclipse-shaped lampshades in spun cellulose acetate, were formed by spinning the threads on a special former. The transparent material diffuses light without reducing it. The shades simply hang from metal bulb holders.
The measurement of the longest light as displayed in the images is: 138cm High x 28cm Diameter. The shades on their own measure 28cm diameter x 15cm high.
Price is for all four.
In good period condition, with age-related wear. Professionally rewired with white flex, which can be adjusted to suit your preferred height, as each of the cables has been given 180cm of flex.
The manufacturing method was patented in 1946 by Danish civil engineers Bent Højberg- Pedersen and Bent Panker. It involved first extruding the cellulose acetate plastics material through a nozzle, to create a filament with a circular cross-section. It became known as the rotaflex process and was licensed out to other manufacturers by Pedersen and Panker before they set up their own company several years later, also called Rotaflex.
There was an Iconic series of British press adverts from 1958/59 showcasing John and Sylvia Reid’s designs produced via the cellulose ‘rotaflex’ process, beautifully art-directed by Layton Award, two of which can be seen in the last two images. (Images credited to Post War British)
John & Sylvia Reid established their practice in 1948, working from a rented flat in London. The couple soon became involved in work on the 1951 Festival of Britain working alongside many notable figures of the time. One of the defining features of their design partnership was that it covered their entire output. In contrast to other famous designers of the period such as Robin and Lucienne Day or Charles and Ray Eames, they did not have independent projects but collaborated on everything they did. The couple believed good design should be accessible to all, and during the 50s and 60s, their futuristic lighting and stylish furniture brought a gleam of modernity to ordinary people’s houses across the UK.
- Creator:John & Sylvia Reid (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 54.34 in (138 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 11.03 in (28 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1958
- Condition:Rewired: Professionally rewired. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sherborne, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4257241758352
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2000
1stDibs seller since 2018
124 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Sherborne, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All1950s Dutch Pair Yellow Hand Grenade Pendant Lights Philips / Alvar Aalto Style
By Alvar Aalto, Philips
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A very stylish pair of Dutch 1950s Mid-Century Modern pastel yellow cylindrical 'Hand Grenade' pendant lights. Hung from their original two piece steel ceiling rose, the wire runs down to a bulb holder located inside the white metal cylinder...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
1950s Dutch Pair Blue Hand Grenade Pendant Lights Phillips / Alvar Aalto style
By Philips, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A very stylish pair of Dutch 1950s Mid-Century Modern anthracite blue cylindrical 'Hand Grenade' pendant lights. Hung from their original two piece steel ceiling rose, the wire runs down to a bulb holder located inside the white metal cylinder...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Steel
Set of 5 Midcentury Dutch Pendant Hanging Lights by Nico Kooy for Raak Amsterdam
By RAAK, Nico Kooy
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A fantastic run of five 1960s pendant lights designed by Nico Kooy for Raak, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Made from black metal conical tubes in matt black with brushed aluminium shad...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
30 Large Glass Midcentury Set of Ten Scandinavian Teak Cascade Lights Hotel Bar
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
An impressive run of ten large Scandinavian cascade lights (ex Public building), dating from the 1960s. Each light has three beautiful cased white/frosted glass ‘bowling pin’ drops, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Opaline Glass, Teak
$13,035 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1920s Bohemian Art Deco Jugendstil Solid Brass 6-Arm Ceiling Pendant Chandelier
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This beautifully patinated solid brass Bohemian ceiling light is unmarked but has a real Teutonic feel, and is likely to have been made in Austr...
Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
1930s Atelier Petitot French Art Deco Glass Chrome Ceiling Pendant Light
By Atelier Petitot
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This chrome and glass ceiling pendant light is a stunning example of French Art Deco by Petito. Hanging from a chrome ceiling rose and rod, the chrome shade is fitted with thick fros...
Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome
You May Also Like
Midcentury Rotaflex Pendant Lamp by John and Sylvia Reid
By John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Montréal, QC
Rotaflex pendant lamp designed by John and Sylvia Reid and manufactured by Rotaflex in the 1950’s. Ribbed cellulose acetate shade. 60 watts E-26 medium bas...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Plastic
Midcentury Rotaflex Pendant Lamp by John and Sylvia Reid
By John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Montréal, QC
Rotaflex pendant lamp designed by John and Sylvia Reid and manufactured by Rotaflex in the 1950’. Tubular ribbed cellulose acetate shade. 60 watts E-26 med...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Plastic
Rotaflex Pendant by John and Sylvia Reid
By John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Montréal, QC
Stunning Rotaflex pendant by John and Sylvia Reid manufactured in the UK in the 1960’s. 60 to 100 watt E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb or higher ...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Plastic
Rotaflex Green "Onion" Hanging Pendant by John & Sylvia Reid, 1950's
By Heifetz Rotaflex, Rotoflex, John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Glowtek Rotaflex Kelly Green hanging ceiling light by John and Sylvia Reid. Featuring one piece of continual spun smooth ridged Green plastic cord forming a wide teardrop shape, 3.5D opening, standard ceramic socket (up to 100 watts) with original Cream White 6D ceiling cap. 50L Creamy White cord. Classic. Timeless. Rarity. As seen post war british...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Rotaflex Lamp by John and Sylvia Reid
By John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Montréal, QC
Ruby red tubular lamp designed by John and Sylvia Reid for Rotaflex. Rewired with a E-12 candelabra base socket and round plastic cord.
Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Plastic
Rotaflex walnut table lamp by John and Sylvia Reid, 1950's
By John & Sylvia Reid
Located in Montréal, QC
Orange acetate and walnut table lamp designed by John and Sylvia Reid for Rotaflex. Ribbed cellulose acetate shade on walnut base. G-26 bulbs, incandescent 40 watts max or higher if ...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage British Suits
Eames House
Eames Cover
Spinning Pendant
Danish Thread
Spin Display
Eames Set 4
Midcentury Modern Dining Set For 4 People
Suit Set 60s
Cable Flex
Robin And Lucienne Day
Eames Hang It All
Vintage Eames Hang It All
Side Table Tall Vintage
Stained Oak Coffee Table
Sweden Lounge Chairs Leather
Table Leather Embossed
Textured Glass Coffee Table