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Balance wall lamps by Bertrand Balas for Raak, Netherlands 1960s

About the Item

Set of 3 sculptural ‘Balance’ sconces in very good condition. Designed by the French designer / architect Bertrand Balas and manufactured by RAAK Amsterdam in the 1960s. The sconces are made from metal which is sculpted into a beautiful organic form. The surface of the metal has a textured structure and is lacquered gold. Each sconce has a porcelain socket. Suitable for a 110/220 Volt, 40 Watt bulb or LED bulbs. - Raak was founded in 1954 by Carel O. Lockhorn and is one of the most important Dutch lighting manufacturers of the 20th century. Before launching his business in Amsterdam, Lockhorn had worked on lighting a huge Philips building in Eindhoven (where he later opened a second Raak branch). Raak's tagline was 'Illuminated Architecture' that gave the brand prestige in producing designs that harmoniously integrate with advanced, high concept interiors. Touch's glass and metal, floor lamps, pendant lamps and wall lamps have an aesthetic that was both elegant and futuristic through high-quality materials with innovative shapes. In the 1960s, Raak started working with the well-known artist and glass manufacturer Willem van Oyen. Although the marriage between art and industry was common in the Netherlands (the lines between the creative professions were often blurred and many artists also worked as designers and vice versa), the results of Van Oyen's contributions Raak were far from usual. Raak promoted Van Oyen's iconic, handmade Chartres Wall Lights (c.1964) as molten paintings. The series was inspired by the beautiful glass plates of Chartres Cathedral in France. Raak regularly collaborates with international designers and architects, including E. J. (Evert Jelle) Jelles, Sergio Asti, Bertrand Balas and Nanny Still. Two of Raak's most celebrated lamps are the cylindrical, metal fufuga lamp by Maija-Liisa Komulainen (c.1970) and the super simple, Globe 2000 Floor Lamp by Frank Ligtelijn (1961). After its rapid success, the Globe 2000 was also produced as a pendant lamp and wall lamp. The minimalist design is an excellent example of Raak's signature style and has grown into a vintage classic. In 1974 Lockhorn sold the company, but he remained director until 1977. In 1999 the company became part of the Centre for Light Architecture in Drachten. The CLA considers the light itself as building material, Light is shape-defining. without light no contrast without contrast no shape. without shape no space. Raak became one of the most important lighting companies of the postwar period and made an important contribution to the style of the 'Space Age' of the 1960s and 70s, Raak lamps are highly sought after by collectors and vintage enthusiasts around the world. References: Mangiarotti, Space Age, Midcentury Design, Postwar, Sixties, Seventies, 60s, 70s, Verner Panton, Joe Colombo, Pierre Paulin, Tobia Scarpa, Osvaldo Borsani, Eero Saarinen, Eero Aarnio, Alvar Aalto, Alessandro Mendini, Gruppo 55, Artifort, Fritz Hanssen, Gavina, Pierre Chapo, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Zalszupin

Creator:

RAAK (Manufacturer),Bertrand Balas (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 5.52 in (14 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 3

Power Source:

Hardwired

Voltage:

220-240v

Lampshade:

Not Included