Early Herbert Terry Anglepoise 1227 Three-Step Desk Lamp, Circa 1935-38
Early Herbert Terry Anglepoise 1227 Three-Step Desk Lamp, Circa 1935-38
7555
A scarce early-production three-step Herbert Terry Anglepoise Model 1227 desk lamp, dating from the mid to late 1930s. Finished in original-style crinkle black paint with chrome-plated fittings, this handsome lamp is an especially appealing example of one of the defining designs of 20th-century British industrial lighting.
The perforated shade retains its original Bakelite bulb holder and integral switch, while the lower fork is formed from three separate chrome sections. Significantly, it does not have the earth screw found on later three-step examples-an early construction detail that helps distinguish this model from subsequent production. Together, these features give the lamp a particularly authentic early character.
The Anglepoise was invented by British automotive engineer George Carwardine, who adapted principles of vehicle-suspension engineering to create its revolutionary spring-balanced mechanism. First introduced commercially as the 1227 in 1935, the design allowed the light to be moved with remarkable ease and held securely in a wide range of positions. Its practical ingenuity and instantly recognisable profile saw it become a familiar presence in workshops, offices, studios, and homes.
Nearly a century later, the Anglepoise remains a benchmark of functional modern design. This early example has the robust engineering, purposeful detailing, and sculptural silhouette that made the model an enduring classic. It would sit beautifully in an industrial, modernist, or eclectic interior, and will appeal equally to collectors of 20th-century lighting and design.
The lamp has been professionally rewired with black twisted fabric flex and PAT tested, ready for use.
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