Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Midcentury Versalite Desk Lamp by A B Read for Troughton & Young Postwar British

About the Item

This scarce Postwar desk lamp was designed in 1946 by A.B. Read for Troughton and Young. The “Versalite” range was first shown at the 'Design at Work' exhibition in 1948 and then went on to be widely used throughout the interior decor scheme in the Royal Festival Hall at the 1951 Festival of Britain. The desk lamp has an adjustable aluminum shade, which has a line of perforations at the rim and a star-shaped pattern cut out of the crest of the dome. The angular brass arm is also adjustable and sits in a ball and socket joint on a brass base. There is evidence to suggest the shade is not wearing its original paint, as it’s slightly paler than the original enamel on the base. Overall in wonderful period condition with an attractive patina. Professionally rewired in 3-core antique brown braided cable. Measurements: 55cm H x 21cm W x 35cm D. Base 17cm diameter, shade 23.5cm diameter, weight 2.5kg Courtesy of the V&A: A.B. Read, RDI, ARCA, FSIA studied metalwork at the Royal College of Art 1919-1923. His interest in Walter Gropius's work led him to visit the Bauhaus. After working with the French lighting firm of Bagnés, 1924-25, he became consultant designer and director of Troughton and Young, where he gained a reputation as a pioneer in the design of light fittings. He was also later retained as a designer by the Carter, Stabler and Adams Ltd (Poole Pottery). Working with many architects of the Modern Movement in the 1920s and 1930s, he did much to alter the character of interior lighting.
  • Creator:
    A.B. Read 1 (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.66 in (55 cm)Diameter: 13.78 in (35 cm)
  • Power Source:
    Plug-in
  • Lampshade:
    Included
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1946
  • Condition:
    Rewired: Professionally rewired in 3-core antique brown braided cable. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Sherborne, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4257237930432
More From This SellerView All
  • Rare 1930s Bauhaus Glass Ball Pendant Light by A.B Read for Troughton & Young
    By Alfred Read
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    This classic 1930s chrome and opaque glass ceiling light is an iconic Bauhaus / Modernist light - the Ultralux U14 - designed by English designer, A.B Read for Troughton & Young (Lig...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century English Bauhaus Chandeliers and Pendants

    Materials

    Chrome

  • 1950s Scandinavian Swan Neck Gooseneck Task Desk Lamp Black & Brass Midcentury
    By Erik Wärnå, Ewå Värnamo
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    A very neat Midcentury Swedish swan neck desk lamp with a black aluminium shade, brass swan neck and unusually shaped, heavy cast steel base with switch. The lamp holds well in a var...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Aluminum, Steel, Brass

  • Midcentury Kaiser Idell Desk Task Lamp by Christian Dell Model 6782 German 1950s
    By Christian Dell, Kaiser Idell
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    Original 1950s black enameled Kaiser Idell desk lamp by Christian Dell, model ‘6782’ with a curved pivoting brass arm and ball joint mechanism, ...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s German Bauhaus Table Lamps

    Materials

    Brass, Steel

  • 1960s Arlus French Space Age Chrome White Retro Table Desk Lamp Midcentury
    By Atelier Jean Perzel, Arlus
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    This beautiful 1960s French table lamp by Arlus has a very stylish Space Age look. Its slender conical shaft is elegantly curved and goes down to a plate foot metal base, which is wh...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Metal, Chrome, Aluminum

  • Post-War Helion Bakelite Desk Task Lamp East German Industrial 1950s MidCentury
    By Helion Arnstadt, VEB Leuchten
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    1950s desk lamp designed for Helion VEB Leuchtenbau in the city of Arnstadt, East Germany, unusually with both a Bakelite shade and base, articulated by a brushed steel curved arm. T...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s German Bauhaus Table Lamps

    Materials

    Steel

  • 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps Rembrandt Hollywood Regency, Pair
    By Rembrandt Lamp Company
    Located in Sherborne, Dorset
    A spectacular pair of large table lamps designed and manufactured by the Rembrandt Lamp Company of Chicago. Standing a huge 95cm tall, these impressive lamps are classic American Mid...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Metal, Brass

You May Also Like
  • Scandinavian Midcentury Desk Lamp by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan
    By Hans Bergström, Ateljé Lyktan
    Located in Karlstad, SE
    Rare desk lamp Model 712 by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan, circa 1950. Beautiful lamp with a simple and clean design. The round and heavy foot holds a long brass rod that suppo...
    Category

    20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Brass

  • Midcentury Desk Lamp, Designed by Josef Hurka for Napako, 1960s
    By Josef Hurka, Napako
    Located in Prague 8, CZ
    This midcentury table lamp was designed by Josef Hurka for Napako. It features a chrome arched construction to which a red cone-shaped shade is attached. Other Material: aluminum, pl...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

  • Midcentury Desk Lamp, Designed by Josef Hurka for Napako, 1960s
    By Josef Hurka, Napako
    Located in Prague 8, CZ
    This midcentury table lamp was designed by Josef Hurka for Napako. It features a chrome arched construction to which a red cone-shaped shade is attached. Other Material: aluminum, pl...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Metal, Chrome

  • Midcentury Desk Lamp, Designed by Josef Hurka for Napako, 1960s
    By Josef Hurka, Napako
    Located in Prague 8, CZ
    This midcentury table lamp was designed by Josef Hurka for Napako. It features a chrome arched construction to which a red cone-shaped shade is attached. Other Material: aluminum, pl...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Aluminum, Chrome

  • Midcentury Dome Desk Lamp by Laurel
    By Laurel Lamp Company
    Located in BROOKLYN, NY
    Black dome shade desk lamp having a circular hood offset shade, not centered on the vertical column, and on a chrome column and circular base, by Laurel Lamp Co., American 1960s. Ori...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Aluminum, Chrome, Steel

  • Midcentury Driftwood Desk Lamp
    Located in North Hollywood, CA
    Beautiful midcentury driftwood desk lamp, this fantastic desk lamp features a sculptural body composed of unfinished driftwood, making it a one-of-a-kind light.
    Category

    Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

    Materials

    Driftwood

Recently Viewed

View All