This brass floor lamp is the “AJ7” model from Jacobsen’s famous “Bellevue” series of lamps. The lamp was designed in 1929, early in the designer’s career during the Great Depression of the same year.

This model was designed as part of Jacobsen's entry for the "House of the Future" exhibition in Copenhagen, in partnership with his friend Flemming Lassen. The Future House was a circular construction, cut by straight lines and sharp angles, a duality that this lamp also echoes with its curves and taunt lines.

The floor lamp features a moveable head and adjustable height; therefore, it is highly customisable. The base is made of brass, while the foot and shade are white lacquered metal. The asymmetrical conical lampshade concentrates and directs the light effectively. This lamp was manufactured by the Danish lighting manufactory, Louis Poulsen.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. The moveable head has become flaccid through the years.

Dimensions:

0.39 in W x 22.24 in D x 41.14 in H

25.5 cm W x 56.5 cm D x 104.5 cm H

Literature:

Carsten Thau & Kjeld Vindum: “Arne Jacobsen”, ill. and described p. 268.

About the designer:

Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) was born on February 11, 1902 in Copenhagen. The Jacobsen family lived in a typical Victorian style home. As a contrast to his parents’ overly decorated taste, Arne painted his room white, which was an early sign of his later interests and style. It is said that he literally painted over the Victorian wallpaper in his bedroom

Arne Jacobsen met the Lassen brothers at Nærum Boarding School and later, Flemming Lassen became his partner in a series of architectural projects. Jacobsen was a restless pupil, and already as a child, he showed an extraordinary talent for drawing and depicting nature through scrupulous studies. He initially wanted to become a painter, but his father felt that architecture was a more sensible choice. In 1924, he graduated from The Technical College in Copenhagen and got admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

From the beginning of his career, Jacobsen turned his gaze abroad, without abandoning Danish traditions. Jacobsen’s works reflect his personality: an insistent, perfectionist modernist, to whom no detail was trivial, even though the main picture was basically black and white and unambiguous. At the same time, Jacobsen was a nature-loving botanist and jovial family man: like him, his work is precise and warm, Danish at its core, modern and timeless.

He is remembered for his contribution to architectural Functionalism as well as for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple but effective chair designs. ~H.