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Gilbert Watrous Desk Lamp for Heifetz
Description
This desk lamp by Gilbert Watrous was designed for MoMA's 1951 Low Cost Lighting Competition. The contest was purportedly inspired …
moreThis desk lamp by Gilbert Watrous was designed for MoMA's 1951 Low Cost Lighting Competition. The contest was purportedly inspired by designer Marcel Breuer’s despairing remark that he could not find a well-designed modern lamp; it drew over 3,000 entries. The tripod-based, floor-lamp version (by Watrous) with the same magnetized steel-ball element allowing for secure multi-positioning was selected as the overall winner. HEIFETZ MANUFACTURING, who co-sponsored the competition, subsequently put a number of variations into production, including this table model. The width can be adjusted from 23" to 33" and the height from 15" to 30". The base measures 6" in diameter.
GILBERT WATROUS was born in 1919 in Tulare, California. He attended the Illinois Institute of Design in Chicago, graduating in 1951. Watrous achieved acclaim that year when one of his lighting designs was given a "Good Design" award as an intriguing, low-cost light fixture by MoMA. The prize-winning lamp, Model No. F-1-W Floor Light, featured a pivot comprised of a magnetized steel ball residing comfortably inside a concave socket. HEIFETZ, the manufacturer, referred to the desk version simply as "table light" in its materials; the description of the original pre-production version was pithier: "…long arm balances on a magnetic ball perched on a singular rod mounted in walnut." Watrous filed patents for his lighting, a table, and structural systems for furniture—the last in collaboration with Frederic A. Roberton.
Watrous relocated to San Diego soon after graduation and opened a retail store on Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla selling folk art and Mexican furnishings. Despite the early success of his lighting designs, he chose to channel his interest in contemporary design through his store’s inventory. Watrous would become a specialist in Mexican handicrafts and was known regionally for his storefront.
HEIFETZ MANUFACTURING was founded in Connecticut in 1938 by Yasha Heifetz and operated out of a Manhattan showroom beginning in the late 1940s. Its focus was on modern decorative objects and lighting. The company is best known for its brief production of ten famous lamps that won a prestigious competition it had co-sponsored with MoMA in 1950. The lamps in question are now highly sought after—particularly the ones designed by Gilbert Watrous.
HEIFETZ also produced ceramic pieces—bookends, ashtrays, and jewelry boxes; a very collectible line of plastic hanging light fixtures known as 'Rotaflex'; and many carved wooden lamps featuring mostly modern, biomorphic shapes, sculpted by Heifetz in his home studio.
Design Year – 1950
Country of Origin – USA
Designer – GILBERT WATROUS (1919-1991)
Maker – HEIFETZ MANUFACTURING
Attribution – WELL-KNOWN
Materials – ALUMINUM, ENAMEL, STEEL
Condition – VERY GOOD (no defects; may show slight traces of use)
Additional Condition Details – minor surface scratches on the fulcrum from adjusting the arm within the ball.
Plug – N. AMERICAN
Height (in.) – 30.0
Diameter (in.) – 6.0
Width (in.) – 33.0
Quantity Available – 1 less
Details CloseOpen
- Dimensions
- 33ʺW × 9ʺD × 30ʺL
- Lamp Shade
- Not Included
- Brand
- Heifetz Lamp Company
- Designer
- Gilbert Watrous
- Period
- 1950s
- Place of Origin
- North America
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Aluminum
- Enamel
- Lights
- Steel
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- White
- Condition Notes
- Very Good - (no defects; may show slight traces of use) Additional Condition Details – minor surface scratches on the … moreVery Good - (no defects; may show slight traces of use) Additional Condition Details – minor surface scratches on the fulcrum from adjusting the arm within the ball. less
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Typical Shipping: 7-14 days
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Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified.
Returns
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The Chairish Buyer Guarantee ensures that you have complete peace of mind when
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Shipping
Note: Made-to-Order items typically include a lead time or custom delivery window, which is detailed in the product description.
For shipping on all other items, please see below:
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- Shipping charges start at $149, depending on product type, size, location of the buyer and seller, and value of the item.
- Local deliveries typically take up to 3 weeks.
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- Deliveries may take up to 6 weeks, and up to 8 weeks when either the buyer or seller are located outside of standard shipping routes.
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Shipping charges start at $299, depending on product type, size, location of the buyer and seller, and value of the item.
Delivery Type Under $2,000 Over $2,000 Chairish In-home Delivery $299 $399 Large Handling > 35 cu. ft. < 52 cu ft. $399 $449 Fragile and/or Oversized Handling Price may vary. Based on material, location and size. Price may vary. Based on material, location and size. - Seller Managed Delivery
- Shipping is offered and managed by the seller, through a shipper of the seller’s choice.
- Available on items at the seller’s discretion.
- Seller Managed Local Delivery
- Local curbside delivery is offered and managed by the seller, within a limited geography.
- Following purchase, a confirmation email is sent to the confirmation email address associated with the order, and includes: Pickup Verification Code & Seller’s contact information
- Please contact the seller within 5 days to coordinate delivery.
- International Parcel
- International parcel shipments are handled by our European based sister-site, Pamono
- Shipments are arranged through Fedex
- You will be updated with a tracking number once shipping is booked
- International parcel shipments can take anywhere from 1 - 6 weeks to be delivered
- In-Home Expedited International Shipping
- In-Home Expedited International Shipments are handled by our European based sister-site, Pamono
- Shipments are arranged by Metropolitan and will be delivered to your room of choice
- You will receive a tracking number once your item has cleared customs and been booked for in-home delivery
- In-home expedited shipments can take anywhere from 3-7 weeks to be delivered
- Expedited International Shipping
- Expedited international shipments are handled by our European based sister-site, Pamono
- Shipments are arranged through FedEx and will be delivered in a crate to the front of your home/building
- You will need tools and/or equipment to open the crate; Fedex will not open the crate for you
- You will be updated with a tracking number once your item has been booked for air shipment
- Expedited international shipments can take anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks to be delivered
- International Shipping
- International shipments are handled by our European based sister-site, Pamono
- Shipments are arranged through Schumacher Cargo and automatically come with in-home delivery
- You will receive a tracking number once your item has cleared customs
- International shipments take anywhere from 12-25 weeks to be delivered, depending on our partner’s shipping schedule and your location
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