Lars Bessfelt is a Swedish designer who, for six decades, has uncompromisingly strived to combine aesthetics with function and care for the environment. He was still a teenager when, in the early 1960s, he created his first really successful model, the Pinnlampan. The lamp became very popular, especially in northern Sweden, and was then even plagiarized by many well-established companies.

Like this story, this lamp also shows why Bessfelt’s design language is loved. His designs incorporate many classically Swedish Modern elements both in their materials, craftsmanship, and aesthetic. The designer’s idea has always been to be able to choose materials and methods down to the smallest detail that guaranteed quality, good light and care for the environment. The cosy, classic feature of this model are the light fabric shades covered in a textured fabric that is especially interesting when the light is on. The shades have a classic empire shape that offers plenty of surface to showcase the fabric, and to illuminate the space. Konsthantverk has been making lamps for nearly a hundred years. Not assembled, but actually manufactured. Milled, drilled, pressed and surface treated. And for a number of years they even ran their own glass factory in Småland for the manufacture of their lamp glasses. Just as it sounds, the lamps from them are a real piece of craftsmanship. The structure is evidence of the company’s skilled craftsmen, showcasing various shapes and forms, from the deeply curved arms to the ring connecting them. The visual balance is established by the variety of materials: the metal body paired with the fabric shades and the black lacquered canopy and plastic bulb holders project a modern look that is still based on a classic, multi-armed ceiling lamp aesthetic. 

Adding illumination to a living space with this ceiling lamp will not only improve the ambience, it will also provide a cosy Scandinavian atmosphere for those winter nights. Apart from the aesthetics, the quality of this model is also true to its Swedish heritage and to that of Lars Bessfelt and Konsthantverk.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition, consistent with age and use. The shades are later replacements.

Dimensions:

18.89 in Ø x 46.45 in H

48 cm Ø x 118 cm H

About the Designer:

Lars Bessfelt started making lamps because father Gösta, who was a lamp salesman, thought he should. Lars Bessfelt was not yet fifteen at the time. His father had followed his son's never-ending interest in disassembling and assembling his own and his sisters' toys. The first lamp model he created was named Pinnlampan and became extremely popular. Lars Bessfelt has devoted his entire life to luminaire design and designed countless lamps. Several of his models have been featured for a long time at ateljé Lyktan and spread light in waiting rooms, foyers and halls of various kinds.

Today he runs the lamp company Zlamp in his studio in Anderslöv, a rural idyll in southern Sweden where he has conducted his business since the 1970s. Over the years, Lars Bessfelt has received many awards for his luminaires.

It was at the 1972 Scandinavian lighting fair in Gothenburg that Lars Bessfelt met ateljé Lyktan's then CEO Anders Pehrson for the first time. Anders Pehrson visited the young designer's stand and praised him for his interesting products.

A few years later, Bessfelt created two lamp series that attracted great interest; Grevie and Torup. At the end of the 1970s, however, he got tired of all the practical work and offered ateljé Lyktan to buy the models. During the discussions, he decides to sell everything, the entire warehouse in Anderslöv and the rights that belonged to it. That was just the beginning of a very long collaboration.

In the early 1980s, Bessfelt was looking for components to use in his lighting design and found a new flat light source that could replace the light bulb. This gave him opportunities for completely new expressions, and he immediately began sketching a lampshade with unique proportions. The first flat shade lamp was named Triggy and became a great success. More models with the flat shade were created and were named Cleo, Hockey and Bombus. Lars Bessfelt is the man behind several of ateljé Lyktan's sales successes, he has also designed the lamps Slits, Birka, Corona, Hanö and Oval.