Pair of Opal Glass Seashell Wall Lamps by Glashütte Limburg, Germany 1970s

These Glashütte Limburg wall lamps are a playful example of the rebellion against the sleek minimalism of the mid-century modern style. Early 1970s design accelerated the emergence of bold personal expression with an explosion of new shapes and textures to saturate households.

As difficult as it may be to imagine, this model’s main feature is its material, not its shape. It is made of high-quality, hand-blown luminaire glass, in which a wafer-thin layer of opal glass is enclosed between two crystal glass layers, thus it distributes the light uniformly and pleasantly in the room. The main role of the whimsical seashell design is to highlight the beauty of the three-ply opal glass. In their catalogue, Glashütte Limburg stated that “sand is one of the most precious raw materials in the manufacture of glass – and perhaps this is why we feel a special bond to the seashell.” The satin-matte surface of the hand-blown glass glows beautifully when the light is turned on, creating an ambient mood while also highlighting the sculpted seashell form. Additionally to its aesthetic perks, opal glass has many great qualities. It stands out for its elegance, resistance, and practicality which is why it has steadily been around since the 16th century. As a flush mount, the lamp is close to the wall, connecting to it by a metal backplate that is enamelled white.

Glashütte Limburg is a true manufacturer, where impeccable craftsmanship remained in the focus throughout the past decades. While the designer of this model is unknown, many lamps of the company were designed by the Designabteilung Glashütte Limburg (design department) or Atelier Glashütte Limburg.

Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:
8.26 in W x 3.93 in D x 8.26 in H
21 cm W x 10 cm D x 21 cm H

About the designer:
Three months after the end of the Second World War in August 1945, graduate engineer Dr Walter Heinrich submitted his first plans for setting up a glass-works to the American military authorities in Limburg an der Lahn in Germany. Approval for building the factory was issued rapidly because the country urgently needed all types of glass. As a result, the ground was broken for Glashütte Limburg as early as 28 September 1945.

Initially, the company was called Glasshüttenwerke Limburg GmbH and employed 80 people. The production range covered drinking vessels, mugs and many other types of catering glasses. Production capacities were increased, and Glashütte Limburg became Europe’s largest lighting glass specialist within just a few years, employing almost 1000 people.

In 1962, the company succeeded in winning BEGA Gantenbrink-Leuchten OHG, founded in 1945 – which was at that time already one of the largest companies in the German lighting industry – as its ideal partner. The very first lighting catalogue of Glashütte Limburg appeared in 1963.

The Glashütte Limburg company received the state prize for “Gute Form 1982” (good design 1982) and the “Corporate Design Award 1985”. Glashütte Limburg received 160 iF Design Awards in total.

Shipping:
These lights will be packaged and shipped with the greatest care and attention to make sure you will receive the items in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.

IMPORTANT!
VAT normally applies and will be added to items when purchased by a European buyer or transported to a location within the EU.